Wildland Firefighter Jobs: 26 Permanent Roles in Inyo National Forest

“Inyo National Forest offers 26 permanent wildland firefighter roles, reflecting rising demand for skilled fire management professionals.”

Overview: Exploring Pacific Southwest Wildland Firefighter Jobs

The Pacific Southwest Region of the United States is experiencing an unprecedented wave of hiring for wildland firefighter jobs. As climate patterns shift and wildfires grow in scale and complexity across California’s forests, robust wildfire management professionals have never been more crucial.
At the forefront of this drive is the renowned Inyo National Forest, launching a major recruitment campaign for permanent fire management positions. These vacancies, located in picturesque and strategically vital locations like Bishop, Lone Pine, Mammoth Lakes, Lee Vining, and Independence, present an opportunity to work on the frontlines of natural resource protection.
Let us guide you through the ins and outs of this hiring push, the roles available, and detailed application guidance. We’ll also explore how Farmonaut’s cutting-edge agri-tech solutions can benefit fire management and forestry professionals, creating a future-ready approach to safeguarding both lands and livelihoods.

Inyo National Forest’s Major Hiring Effort

BISHOP, Calif., April 18, 2025 — In a coordinated, nation-wide effort to bolster America’s wildfire response capabilities, Inyo National Forest is now hiring 26 permanent wildland firefighter and support positions. The application window runs from April 14 to April 24, 2025. This is a rare and pivotal chance for those seeking a rewarding career in fire and land management within the vibrant heart of the Pacific Southwest Region!

We’re seeing openings for a wide variety of roles: dispatchers, fire engine and equipment operators, fire management officers and planners, fire prevention specialists, forestry aids and techs, hand crew, hotshot and helitack members, prescribed fire and fuels specialists, and more. Grade levels of hiring span entry to advanced, supporting upward mobility within the federal fire workforce.

Permanent Fire Management Positions: Job Types & Responsibilities

Let’s break down the breadth of available permanent fire management positions and their key responsibilities across the Inyo National Forest and wider Pacific Southwest wildfire vacancies landscape. From front-line firefighting to support and leadership, these jobs underpin the forest service’s mission:

Key Firefighting Roles & Descriptions

• Wildland Firefighter Jobs: Respond to, suppress, and manage wildfires using hand tools, equipment, and teamwork in rugged conditions.
• Permanent Fire Management Officers & Planners: Oversee fire operations, devise fire strategies, train crews, and handle resource allocation.
• Fire Engine Operator Hiring: Operate, drive, and maintain wildland fire engines. Responsible for water delivery, equipment prep, and supporting frontline crews.
• Fire Dispatchers: Coordinate incident responses, relay real-time communications, and manage movement of resources during emergencies.
• Fire Prevention Specialists: Conduct outreach, patrol fire-prone zones, enforce safety protocols, and educate communities to reduce wildfire risk.
• Forestry Aids & Techs: Carry out forest health surveys, assist with prescribed burns, support prevention and fuels management operations.
• Hand Crew, Hotshot & Helitack Members: Execute physically demanding fireline construction, perform initial attacks, support aerial suppression, and maintain high operational readiness.
• Prescribed Fire & Fuels Specialists: Plan and conduct controlled burns, manage fire-adapted landscapes, and reduce hazardous fuel build-ups.
• Equipment Operators: Run heavy machinery (dozers, engines, pumps) to aid firefighting and post-fire restoration.

Current Wildland Firefighter Job Openings Table (Inyo National Forest & Pacific Southwest)

We’ve compiled an SEO-optimized comparison table so you can review permanent roles and apply for wildland firefighter positions in the Inyo National Forest with confidence:

Hiring Process & Selection Timeline

• Application Period: April 14-24, 2025 (Apply promptly!)
• Selection Plan (GS-11+): Hiring officials will submit selections for GS-11 and higher positions by early May, 2025.
• Selections for Remaining Positions: Occur in late May through June.
• Onboarding Date (Estimated): July 27, 2025.
• Multiple Positions: To be filled under the New Wildland Fire Management Series.
• Compensation: Based on 2025 Wildland Firefighters Locality Pay Tables (see table above).

Applying early and following all job requirements is essential, as selections and subsequent onboarding move swiftly after the deadline passes.

Key Requirements for Applying

Before sending in your applications for these national forest fire jobs, ensure you:

• Are a U.S. Citizen or National, at least 18 years old at time of hire.
• Meet the minimum qualifications for your desired grade and role (see above table).
• Hold a valid driver’s license and can pass a physical fitness test for front-line field roles.
• Are willing to relocate to or work in Bishop, Lone Pine, Mammoth Lakes, Lee Vining, or Independence (choose these when you filter/select job locations while applying!).
• Understand that Direct Hire Authority is being used (no veterans’ preference; expedited process).
• Can start by July 27, 2025, if selected.

How to Filter & Select the Right Locations When Applying

To work specifically in the Inyo National Forest, make sure you filter for and select the following towns when browsing openings on the USA Jobs or Region 5 Forest Service page:

• Bishop
• Lone Pine
• Mammoth Lakes
• Lee Vining
• Independence

All these locations are central to the best permanent fire management positions, fire engine operator hiring, and current wildland fire positions in the Pacific Southwest. These destinations offer proximity to stunning Sierra Nevada landscapes, and a tight-knit firefighting community as you embark on your new role.

Compensation, Locality Pay & Relocation Expenses for Fire Jobs

Permanent wildland firefighter jobs come with strong federal compensation. All roles in the new Wildland Fire Management series will use the updated 2025 Locality Pay Tables. This means that pay is adapted to local cost-of-living, and can include substantial overtime, hazard, or holiday premiums.

• Pay Tables: See the official Wildland Firefighters Locality Pay Tables.
• Authorized Reimbursement of Relocation Expenses: In select cases and at agency discretion, you may be reimbursed for relocation expenses for fire jobs under the latest USDA-Forest Service policy. This helps facilitate moves to Bishop, Lone Pine, and other strategic locations. See official vacancy announcements for details.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Federal benefits include health, dental, sick leave, paid time off, retirement plans, and more.

Given the physically and mentally demanding nature of firefighter and fire management work, this compensation package reflects the agency’s ongoing commitment to supporting its dedicated wildfire workforce.

Farmonaut: Enabling Precision in Agriculture & Fire Management

At Farmonaut, our mission aligns closely with the realities facing today’s wildland managers. Our satellite and AI-driven solutions empower not only farmers, but also forestry, wildfire management, and resource planners with actionable, real-time data. Whether you are considering wildland firefighter jobs or are involved in forest health/prevention, here’s how Farmonaut may support you:

• Satellite-Based Crop & Forest Health Monitoring:
  Harness multispectral satellite imagery for real-time monitoring of vegetation health, soil moisture, and potential fire fuel loads — supporting prescribed fire & fuels specialist roles and early fire risk detection.
  Learn more about Farmonaut’s crop, plantation & forest advisory app
• AI-Driven Alerts & Decision Support:
  Our Jeevn AI Advisory System delivers tailored recommendations using weather data, predictive models, and field imagery — invaluable for fire prevention specialists and planners.
• Carbon Footprinting Solutions:
  Track, report, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large-scale land or fuel management programs. Explore carbon footprint tracking here.
• Blockchain-Based Traceability:
  Assure full transparency across the firewood, timber, and restored plant supply chain, leveraging blockchain technology for accountability.
  Read about our traceability solution
• Fleet & Resource Management:
  Monitor fleet movements, equipment readiness, and logistics in real time, improving response during active fire events.
  Discover Farmonaut’s Fleet & Equipment Management platform

Our APIs and developer documentation open these technologies up for easy integration into forest service and management systems—supporting innovation at every scale.
Farmonaut Satellite & Weather API |
API Developer Docs

Video Insights: Wildland Firefighter Positions & Farmonaut Technologies

See below for rich, visual guides to both wildland roles and advanced sector technology:

“Over 20 fire engine operator positions are open in the Pacific Southwest, highlighting wildfire response as a growing career field.”

Key Links & Essential Resources for Applicants

• Current Wildland Firefighter Jobs in Region 5 – Filter by Inyo National Forest locations for the Pacific Southwest.
• USA Jobs Portal – Find “wildland firefighter”, “fire engine operator”, and similar national forest fire jobs.
• Farmonaut Crop, Plantation & Forest Advisory Services – Use our app for data-driven forest, land, and agricultural management.
  
• Farmonaut Carbon Footprinting – For emission tracking in large land/fuel programs.
• Farmonaut Fleet & Resource Management – Optimize trucks, engines, and field equipment for fire/forestry deployments.
• Farmonaut Blockchain Traceability – Complete transparency for supply chains in forestry or land management.
• Crop Loan and Insurance Verification Solutions – Secure access to financing through accurate, satellite-verified land data.
• Farmonaut API Access |
  API Developer Docs
  – Plug satellite and weather data into your fire/forest service workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Wildland Firefighter Jobs Inyo National Forest

Farmonaut Subscriptions: Flexible, Affordable Plans for Every Operation

Choose a precision data subscription that fits your organization’s needs: scale your use from individual managers to whole agencies. Flexible plans for web, API, and mobile users streamline both farm and forestry operations.

Conclusion: Building a Future-Ready Workforce in Wildland Fire & Forest Management

The 2025 drive for wildland firefighter jobs in Inyo National Forest represents a commitment to strengthening America’s forest and resource protection for years to come. By offering robust permanent fire management positions, the Pacific Southwest region is recruiting skilled, dedicated individuals prepared to meet tomorrow’s wildfire and land management challenges.

When you apply for wildland firefighter jobs in Bishop, Lone Pine, Mammoth Lakes, Lee Vining, or Independence, you’re signing up for both adventure and impact, joining a tight-knit team with a legacy of public service. By leveraging today’s advanced management tools—like those offered by Farmonaut—we also ensure every acre, crew, and operation is guided by data, transparency, and sustainability.

Ready to serve, protect, and thrive? Apply today and be part of the evolving story of wildfire response and forest stewardship in California and beyond.