California Wildland Fire Hiring Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the vacancies located?

BLM California has positions located throughout the state. When you look at a position on USAJOBS, you can find available locations under "Overview” in the column on the right.

Are the jobs permanent or temporary? Year-round or seasonal?

The available jobs include full-time permanent, temporary seasonal and permanent seasonal vacancies.

• Full-time permanent positions are employed year-round.
• Temporary seasonal positions are employed for roughly six months per year for only one year.
• Permanent seasonal positions are employed for a minimum of six months per year on a recurring basis.

What positions are being filled?

The available positions include wildland firefighters for engines, hotshots, handcrews, helitack, and dispatchers. A summary of position types is available on the National Interagency Fire Center's wildland fire job page. Detailed position and wildland fire qualification information is available in the National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group's position catalog.

Do I have to attend in-person to apply?

No. Attending in-person provides the opportunity to speak directly with hiring officials, which can be beneficial if you haven't held a federal job before. It will also be beneficial to applicants because we can start the pre-employment checks, such as medical evaluation and fingerprinting, and possibly receive tentative job offers.​ If you can't attend in person, check out our protips for landing your first fire job. Qualified applicants will be considered regardless of whether they applied online or in person.

Do I have to apply online in advance?

No. However, it is highly recommended to apply in advance during the open application period listed so applicants can schedule their in-person interviews during the event. Applicants may submit applications in-person and still have an interview at the event without applying online, they will just have to wait for an open interview time.

During the in-person event, hiring officials will be available onsite to answer questions, review resumes, conduct interviews and help you navigate the application process. For those that are selected, they will conduct background checks and medical exams; job offers may be made on-the-spot.

Do I need firefighting experience to apply?

Some of the available positions are entry level and require no firefighting experience. With few exceptions, entry level positions require applicants to be under the age of 37.  For more information about exceptions please carefully read the requirements in the job listing on USAJOBS.

What do I need to bring with me? 

• Two forms of valid, government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license and social security card, or passport
• Complete resume 
• Military records, if applicable (DD214, VA Letters) 
• IQCS report or other training records, if applicable
• Recommendation letters, if available
• Pen and paper 
• Be prepared to complete a health history questionnaire and a medical exam, if selected

How soon will I know if I’ve been hired?

Some tentative job offers will be made on-site, pending background checks, drug screenings, and a medical exam. Other applicants will be notified a couple of weeks following the event.

Can I bring my family with me? 

Yes. They must stay outside the interview rooms. There will be fire engines on display and crews available to chat with, so you and your family can learn about your future career! 

How long should I expect to be there? 

It could take several hours to go through the whole process, including medical and background checks if selected.

I'm not feeling well. Should I still attend?

The fire year in California is year-round, and we want everyone to stay healthy. If you aren't feeling well, please don't attend. You can apply for positions online throughout the year using USAJobs.