Work in Oregon · Wildland Fire

Wildland Firefighter Jobs in Oregon

USFS Region 6, BLM Oregon, and ODF positions across Oregon's 13 national forests and 16 million acres of BLM land. Seasonal and permanent roles, pay ranges, and how to get hired for your first or next season.

Why Oregon Is a Major Market for Wildland Firefighters

Oregon has 13 national forests managed by USFS Region 6 and over 16 million acres of BLM land — making it one of the most active states for federal wildland fire employment. The Umpqua, Rogue River-Siskiyou, Fremont-Winema, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests all hire significant numbers of seasonal fire personnel each year. Oregon's fire season typically runs May through October, with the Klamath Mountains and Eastern Oregon high desert seeing the most active fire years. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) adds state-level positions on top of federal hiring.

Federal and State Positions in Oregon

US Forest Service — Region 6 Oregon Forests

Entry-level positions are titled 'Forestry Technician (Firefighter)' at GS-3 or GS-4. The Umpqua, Rogue River-Siskiyou, Willamette, Mount Hood, Siuslaw, Deschutes, Fremont-Winema, Malheur, Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman, and Ochoco National Forests all hire annually. The Umpqua and Rogue River-Siskiyou are among the most active fire forests in the state.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Oregon

BLM Oregon manages 16 million acres and operates fire crews across the state, particularly in Eastern Oregon and the Medford and Roseburg districts. BLM positions follow the same GS pay scale as USFS and are posted on USAJOBS. BLM Oregon tends to hire in the Medford, Roseburg, Prineville, Burns, and Vale districts.

Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF)

ODF hires seasonal firefighters through the Oregon state system, not USAJOBS. ODF positions are posted on Oregon Careers (oregon.gov/jobs). ODF manages 16 million acres of private and state forest land and operates fire crews across the state. Pay is comparable to federal GS-3/4 rates.

Pay and What to Expect

Entry-level Forestry Technician positions in Oregon start at GS-3 ($18.18/hr) or GS-4 ($20.41/hr) with the Rest of US locality pay adjustment. Hazard pay (25% of base) applies during active fire assignments. A first-season GS-3 firefighter in Oregon can expect $26,000–$36,000 for a 6-month seasonal appointment, including hazard pay and overtime.

Hiring Season and How to Apply

Federal positions are posted on USAJOBS between January and April for the summer season. The most competitive positions fill by March. Entry-level positions require a high school diploma or GED, US citizenship, and the ability to pass the Pack Test (3 miles with a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes). No prior firefighting experience is required for GS-3/4 positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find Wildland Firefighter Jobs in Oregon on OGS

OGS aggregates federal postings from USAJOBS alongside employer-posted positions. Browse current listings or create a free Trekkie profile and mark yourself available on the OGS RadarMap.