skip to Main Content

Wildland Firefighter Job Description

What does a Wildland Firefighter do?

A Wildland Firefighter is responsible for fighting fires that occur in rural areas and forests. They work in teams and use specialised equipment and tools, such as axes, shovels, and chainsaws, to manage fires and prevent them from spreading. They also create fire lines, which involves clearing flammable material, such as leaves and branches, to create a clear area around the fire. Wildland Firefighters work in dangerous and challenging conditions, often in remote locations. They must be physically fit and able to work long hours in extreme heat and difficult terrain. Additionally, they must be prepared to respond to emergencies at any time, including during weekends and holidays.

Our Wildland Firefighter job description includes the Wildland Firefighter responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Wildland Firefighter Example


Our Job Advertising Packages

Choose the best package, edit the advert and post your job!

 StarterPremiumCorporateNationalBrandedResourcer
Reed
Indeed Sponsored
Monster
Google Jobs
Glassdoor
LinkedIn Jobs
Totaljobs
Jobsite
Guardian Jobs
CV-Library
Industry boards
CV Targeting*
many more
£99£199£329£349£399£599
Job Advert Package + Flat Fee Recruitment Services
CV Filtering
Video Interviewing
Interview Scheduling
£799£799£929£949£999£1199

If you need an example job description for a Wildland Firefighter download the one below, alternatively we have many other Public Sector job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does a Wildland Firefighter do?

Wildland Firefighter Job Summary

Wildland Firefighters are responsible for preventing and controlling wildfires in rural and wilderness areas. They use a range of methods to assess, monitor and respond to fires, including firefighting techniques, prescribed burning and other preventative measures.

Wildland Firefighters must be able to work effectively in remote and hazardous environments, have strong physical and mental resilience, and have excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities include:

• Surveying and assessing potential fire danger areas.
• Responding to wildfires in a timely and effective manner.
• Using firefighting techniques, such as back-burning, to contain and control fires.
• Monitoring and controlling fires to ensure they do not spread.
• Implementing prescribed burning and other preventative measures.
• Providing assistance and support to other firefighting teams.
• Collecting and recording data on fire behaviour, intensity and other relevant information.
• Working with other agencies and organisations to ensure effective fire prevention and control.
• Maintaining and updating fire maps.
• Providing education and outreach to the public about fire safety and prevention.

Requirements:

• Must be physically fit and able to work long hours in challenging conditions.
• Must be able to work as part of a team and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to drive a fire truck.
• Must have a good knowledge of fire behaviour and firefighting techniques.
• Must be flexible and be able to adapt to changing environments.
• Must have a basic understanding of forestry and land management practices.
• Must be able to work with computers and have basic data entry skills.

Wildland Firefighter Role Purpose

The purpose of a wildland firefighter is to protect life and property from the risk of wildland fire. This includes carrying out activities to prevent and suppress fires, as well as monitoring and assessing fire activity, and providing guidance and advice to other emergency personnel. Wildland firefighters may also be involved in land management activities such as removing hazardous vegetation or controlling the spread of invasive species.

Wildland Firefighter Role

A Wildland Firefighter is responsible for fighting and preventing uncontrolled fires in natural areas such as forests, grasslands, and mountainous terrain. They work as part of a team to contain, control and extinguish fires, as well as provide fire prevention and education. They must have physical fitness, technical skills and knowledge, and the ability to work safely in a challenging environment.

Wildland Firefighter Duties

  • Attending fire training courses and keeping up to date with the latest wildfire fighting techniques
  • Monitoring and responding to wildfires, assessing their severity and controlling the spread of the fire
  • Developing and implementing fire prevention plans
  • Maintaining, operating and repairing firefighting equipment and vehicles
  • Assisting with the installation of firebreaks and fire trails
  • Carrying out land management activities such as clearing scrub, thinning vegetation and reducing fuel loads

Wildland Firefighter Requirements

  • Maintain a good level of physical fitness
  • Work in remote areas
  • Carry out fire suppression and prevention operations
  • Understand and comply with operational techniques and safety procedures
  • Work as part of a team

Wildland Firefighter Skills

  • Physical fitness
  • Knowledge of fire behaviour and suppression techniques
  • Ability to work long hours in difficult terrain
  • Navigation and map reading skills
  • Ability to work in a team

Wildland Firefighter Personal Traits

  • Ability to work in a team
  • Ability to work outdoors in challenging conditions
  • Ability to follow instructions
  • Physical endurance
  • Mental endurance
  • A keen interest in the outdoors

How to write a Wildland Firefighter Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write a Wildland Firefighter Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Wildland Firefighter Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Wildland Firefighter Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire a Wildland Firefighter

Once you have selected your Job Description download it or convert it to a Job Advert. From here you can post/advertise your job across our network of job boards. If you wish to use the job description for a CV Template click through for advice and Convert to a CV

Back To Top