Wildland Firefighter

Employment dates expected: May 4th, 2026 - November 1st, 2026

HOUSING AVAILABLE!

Vail Fire and Emergency Services and Eagle Valley Wildland (Eagle River Fire Protection District) are seeking motivated, experienced and physically fit candidates to join our joint wildland program (Employment may be offered by ERFPD or VFES). The combined program is a hybrid fuels and suppression program. The program operates as a suppression module for initial attack and national dispatch. As a wildland firefighter for the wildland program you will participate in fuels reduction including; tree cutting and falling, piling of trees and slash, wildfire home hazard assessments and fire operations including; crew operations, wildland fire suppression and prescribed fire operations. 

Response: Wildland Firefighters will respond to wildfires across Eagle County. Elevation range within the response area is 6,000-14,000 feet above sea level with many steep and rugged slopes. The module may also be utilized for other types of all hazard calls as appropriate. Employees will be available for national dispatch as local fire conditions allow. Employees may be exposed to extreme temperature variations, extended work hours, dust and smoke, insect bites and other unpredictable working conditions.

Schedule: The season will run May through Oct.  Employees will work either a  4 day - 10 hour or 5 day- 8 hour schedule based on module and department need.  Overtime is based on fire activity and need.

Housing: Employee housing is available on a limited basis.

It is important that individuals applying meet the following requirements:

• High School diploma
• Valid Colorado driver's license or ability to obtain one with 30 days of start
  
• Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2)(S130, S190,L180, I100)
• Must be able to pass the arduous level pack test upon start of season
• Must have the physical ability to use manual power tools and perform strenuous manual tasks related to wildland firefighting and fire mitigation in an outdoor environment under a variety of weather conditions. 

Preferred

• Faller Type 3 trainee (FALA(t)) (S-212) - Highly preferred. Candidates not possessing this qualification will be required to complete this department provided training as a condition of hire.
• Faller Type 2 (FALB) (S-212 and completed task book or equivalent)
• Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1)
• Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Incident commander type 5 (ICT5)
• Commercial drivers licenses class B or ability to obtain
• Certified EMT Basic
• 1+ seasons experience wildland firefighting

• Experience/ qualification with low angle rescue, swift water or search and rescue

All job offers will be contingent upon satisfactory background check, pre-employment drug screening, medical/fit for duty exam.

Preference will be given to applicants that can commit to work the entire season. Candidates must be able to work any shift including holidays and weekends.

Are you interested in living and working in Eagle County?  Eagle County, which is centrally located in the Rocky Mountains, offers easy access to Denver (100 miles to the east) and is surrounded by the White River National Forest, offering world-class outdoor activities in summer and winter (skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, white water).