Posting number: SH2026-044
Department: Sheriffs Office
Division: SHE Operations
Job classification: Firefighter Basic
Posting type: Open
Categories: Community Services, Public Safety, Safety, Forestry
2027 Monthly salary range $4,583 - $5,868
2027 Annual salary range $54,996 - $70,416
2027 Hiring salary range $4,583 - $5,225 depending on experience
The Wildland Firefighter is responsible for assisting the Senior Firefighter (SRFF), Fire Management Operations Specialist (FOS) and Fire Management Officer(s) (FMO/AFMO) with fire suppression operations, prescribed fire, and forest restoration activities.
Title to which this position is Supervised by: Fire Management Officer(s) (FMO/AFMO)
Titles to which this position reports to: Fire Management Operations Specialists (FOSs) and Senior Firefighters (SRFFs)
Titles that report to this position: None
New employees receive an 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire, in addition to 8 hours of both vacation and medical leave accruals each month.
Boulder County is a family-friendly workplace dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.
PLEASE NOTE: When completing your application describe all relevant education and experience, as applications are assessed based on the required qualifications listed. Resumes and other attachments are not accepted in lieu of completed applications and will not be reviewed in the initial screening process. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your attachments will then be shared with the hiring team.
Age: Must be 18 years of age or older.
Physical: Candidates must successfully complete a physical fitness assessment consisting of either a 1.5-mile run (men: 13:30 or less; women: 15:00 or less) or a 3-mile run (men: 28:00 or less; women: 32:00 or less). Additional minimum standards include push-ups (men: 25 or more; women: 15 or more), pull-ups (men: 5 or more; women: 2 or more), and a plank hold (men: 1 minute 30 seconds; women: 1 minute 15 seconds). These values represent minimum thresholds; however, due to a cumulative scoring system, candidates must exceed the minimum standard in at least one event. Meeting only the minimum in all events will not satisfy the overall requirement. Additionally, must be able to pass the Work Capacity Test (WCT): 3.0 mile walk on level ground while carrying a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less.
Education: High School Diploma and/or equivalent.
Licenses: Must have a valid driver’s license.
Qualifications: Completed S-130, S-190, L-180, I-100 and possess a current NWCG recognized Red Card.
Prefer candidate with at least one season of firefighting experience at the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualification or greater.
Applicants with similar outdoor work experience and demonstrated skills and abilities may be considered (e.g., prescribed fire, trails, fuels crew, and other field-related work).
Special Requirements: Must be National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant within one year of filling the position. Must be first aid and CPR certified within one year. Opportunities for these and other trainings will be provided.
Employee must pass an agency criminal background check, mandatory polygraph test and driving record check.
Age: Must be 18 years of age or older.
Physical: Candidates must successfully complete a physical fitness assessment consisting of either a 1.5-mile run (men: 13:30 or less; women: 15:00 or less) or a 3-mile run (men: 28:00 or less; women: 32:00 or less). Additional minimum standards include push-ups (men: 25 or more; women: 15 or more), pull-ups (men: 5 or more; women: 2 or more), and a plank hold (men: 1 minute 30 seconds; women: 1 minute 15 seconds). These values represent minimum thresholds; however, due to a cumulative scoring system, candidates must exceed the minimum standard in at least one event. Meeting only the minimum in all events will not satisfy the overall requirement. Additionally, must be able to pass the Work Capacity Test (WCT): 3.0 mile walk on level ground while carrying a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less.
Education: High School Diploma and/or equivalent.
Licenses: Must have a valid driver’s license.
Qualifications: Completed S-130, S-190, L-180, I-100 and possess a current NWCG recognized Red Card.
Prefer candidate with at least one season of firefighting experience at the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualification or greater.
Applicants with similar outdoor work experience and demonstrated skills and abilities may be considered (e.g., prescribed fire, trails, fuels crew, and other field-related work).
Special Requirements: Must be National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant within one year of filling the position. Must be first aid and CPR certified within one year. Opportunities for these and other trainings will be provided.
Employee must pass an agency criminal background check, mandatory polygraph test and driving record check.
Supplemental Information:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of principles, practices and objectives as related to wildfire behavior, wildfire suppression, prescribed fire, hazardous fuels reduction, and mitigation techniques in a wildfire-centric, safety-focused program. Ability to work proactively in a team environment. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to perform effectively in a high stress environment.
Term to Permanent: This position will be filled as a Term Limited full-time employee for an undetermined length of time. In the event that a permanent FTE spot opens up, the candidate selected will be given the opportunity to fill the permanent team position at that time.
Eligibility List: An eligibility list of candidates may be created should the selected candidate not want the permanent position or another position becomes available. Candidates placed on the eligibility list would be given priority to move into the hiring process for up to one year.
Working Conditions: Wildland firefighting is inherently hazardous and often creates stressful working conditions. Work is performed outdoors for extended periods of time in hot or cold temperatures, and inclement weather. Work exposes the employee to hazardous conditions that include high noise levels, smoke, fumes, noxious odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation. Furthermore, work exposes the employee to possible bodily injury and/or life-threatening conditions from extreme temperatures, moving mechanical parts of equipment, tools, machinery, falling trees, rolling rocks, and treacherous terrain. Other hazards include exposure to wildlife and allergenic plants and insects. Work requires use of personal protective equipment such as dust masks, eye protection, hard hats, ear protection, fire resistant Nomex clothing, and gloves that are employer provided, to mitigate some of the hazards. Employees must provide their own work boots that meet NFPA 1977 (leather, lace up, eight inch high, lug sole).
Working Environment: The Fire Management Program works directly for the Boulder County Sheriff, who is the Fire Warden for the County. Fire Management acts as the subject-matter-experts to the Sheriff for wildfire suppression, prescribed burning, fire restriction implementation, and education. Fire Management has the delegated authority to act as the Fire Warden on behalf of the Sheriff. This is NOT a law enforcement position. The Fire Management Program is responsible for suppression of forest and prairie fires on unincorporated public lands within the 740sq mi of Boulder County, including but not limited to, over 100,000 acres of County Open Space and Land Easements, and a heavily intermixed wildland urban interface (WUI). Fire Management also closely assists local, volunteer fire protection districts, full-time fire departments, US Forest Service, and National Park Service with fire suppression and prescribed fire needs.
Numerous municipalities exist within Boulder County, including the City of Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, and Nederland. It is also home to the University of Colorado at Boulder. The county is a major tourist and recreational attraction for the Denver Metro area and encompasses a portion of Rocky Mountain National Park, in addition to Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, and 45,000 acres City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks.
Wildland Firefighters participate in fire assignments locally, regionally, and nationally. Overtime and travel are required. It is also expected that individuals will take part in fire assignments with the Shadow Canyon Interagency Type Two Initial Attack Hand Crew and/or be available for Type 6 fire engine assignments locally and nationally.
Physical Demands of the Job:
Boulder County is home to nearly 300,000 residents and includes some of the most diverse, natural landscapes and sustainable development along the Front Range. From visionary open space, land use and sustainability policies to forward-thinking public services programs, our county government helps foster a vibrant, healthy, and active community.
Everyday, our 2,000+ workforce follows the county's guiding values while providing outstanding service. Guiding values include: diversity, stewardship, partnerships, innovation, training, and passion. With these guiding values in mind, employees set out to achieve positive outcomes in public service, collaboration, and sustainability.
We are vanguards of innovation and collaborative problem-solving. working to create a better future for all residents. Our vision statement says it all: "As trusted stewards of Boulder County's future, we provide the best in public service."
