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California Wildland Firefighter Jobs

Since 2016, 3,184 wildland firefighter jobs have been posted across California — and 777 were entry-level (no experience needed). Here's where the crews are and how to pick one.

4 jobs open in California right now (0 entry-level) →

When they hire

Most California jobs get posted in August, January, September. Federal fire hiring runs in the fall and winter for the next summer — so apply early, months before fire season.

Who hires

  • Forest Service (2,290)
  • Bureau of Land Management (433)
  • National Park Service (311)
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (75)

Crew types posted

  • Helitack (181)
  • Hotshot crew (172)
  • Dispatch (164)
  • Engine crew (153)
  • Fuels / Rx fire (139)

The types of crews — what they do & how big

Typical crew sizes and duties (general fire-world norms, not specific to one posting).

Hotshot crew · 20-person crew

Hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand.

Not entry-level Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Smokejumpers · elite; a few bases

Parachute into remote fires that crews can't reach by road.

Not entry-level At least one full fire season to apply; most have several.

Helitack · small modules

Get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack.

Not entry-level Usually a season or two on the ground first.

Engine crew · 3–10 per engine

Drive fire engines to the fire, pump water, and run hose lays.

✅ Entry-level No experience needed — a classic first job.

Hand crew · ~18–20 per crew

Dig fireline by hand with tools.

✅ Entry-level No experience needed — the classic first job.

Fuels / Rx fire · varies

Thin brush and run planned (prescribed) burns to cut wildfire risk before it starts.

✅ Entry-level Entry-level seasonal roles are common.

Dispatch · support role

Coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line.

Not entry-level A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.

Where the crews are in California

The towns that hire most. "Entry-level per year" is the typical number of no-experience roles posted in a normal season — your best read on how many spots there are and how many other rookies you'd be with.

↓ Skip to the 4 jobs open now in California

Susanville, California

672 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 19 entry-level spots a year (173 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

21
'18
24
'19
32
'20
15
'21
17
'22
17
'23
16
'24
14
'25
11
'26

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.
  • Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.
  • Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.

Redding, California

649 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 12 entry-level spots a year (111 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

7
'18
11
'19
10
'20
8
'21
11
'22
24
'23
16
'24
12
'25
8
'26

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Smokejumpers — parachute into remote fires that crews can't reach by road. At least one full fire season to apply; most have several.
  • Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.
  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.
  • Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.

Chester, California

551 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 13 entry-level spots a year (120 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

17
'18
23
'19
24
'20
11
'21
13
'22
10
'23
11
'24
4
'25
5
'26

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Quincy, California

521 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 13 entry-level spots a year (118 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

14
'18
14
'19
17
'20
7
'21
12
'22
14
'23
17
'24
10
'25
10
'26

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.
  • Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Fort Jones, California

508 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 13 entry-level spots a year (120 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

19
'18
20
'19
18
'20
9
'21
11
'22
15
'23
14
'24
6
'25
5
'26

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Pollock Pines, California

500 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 13 entry-level spots a year (120 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

13
'18
18
'19
19
'20
12
'21
15
'22
15
'23
12
'24
7
'25
7
'26

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Happy Camp, California

466 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 14 entry-level spots a year (126 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

18
'18
22
'19
20
'20
10
'21
16
'22
17
'23
9
'24
6
'25
5
'26

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.
  • Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.

Springville, California

435 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 11 entry-level spots a year (100 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

11
'18
12
'19
13
'20
7
'21
14
'22
19
'23
14
'24
4
'25
4
'26

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.
  • Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.

Nevada City, California

412 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 12 entry-level spots a year (108 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

10
'18
17
'19
15
'20
8
'21
14
'22
10
'23
17
'24
7
'25
8
'26

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
  • Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.
  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Bishop, California

412 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 10 entry-level spots a year (87 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

9
'18
11
'19
18
'20
7
'21
9
'22
7
'23
11
'24
9
'25
5
'26

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.
  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.
  • Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.

Foresthill, California

408 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 14 entry-level spots a year (130 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

17
'18
25
'19
15
'20
8
'21
19
'22
16
'23
15
'24
6
'25
7
'26

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Camptonville, California

408 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 14 entry-level spots a year (132 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

17
'18
22
'19
16
'20
10
'21
21
'22
13
'23
15
'24
8
'25
7
'26

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Kernville, California

406 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 11 entry-level spots a year (106 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

10
'18
11
'19
13
'20
8
'21
15
'22
19
'23
13
'24
5
'25
7
'26

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Groveland, California

398 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 10 entry-level spots a year (90 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

10
'18
17
'19
15
'20
4
'21
8
'22
9
'23
11
'24
6
'25
6
'26

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Mi-Wuk Village, California

394 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 9 entry-level spots a year (79 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

10
'18
14
'19
15
'20
4
'21
5
'22
7
'23
11
'24
6
'25
5
'26

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Bars count entry-level postings by fire season — the summer you'd work. Federal fire jobs are posted the fall and winter before (peak Aug–Oct), so each season's bar includes everything hired for that summer, not the calendar date it was posted. The "per year" figure averages complete seasons 2018–2026. Counts come from federal USAJOBS announcements; one regional announcement can list many towns, so these show how often a town appears — a strong signal of where the work is, not an exact headcount.

California wildland firefighter jobs open right now

4 open postings in California, live from USAJOBS.

Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Assistant IHC Superintendent) - Direct Hire Authority

California · Office of the Secretary of the Interior

$67,617–$102,474/yr GW-8 Apply by Jun 16

💰 ~$107K–$178K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Wildland Fire Operations Technician)

California · Office of the Secretary of the Interior

$78,166–$101,609/yr GW-10 Apply by Oct 12

💰 ~$113K–$188K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Engine Captain)

California · Office of the Secretary of the Interior

$57,670–$94,830/yr GW-6–7 Apply by Sep 20

💰 ~$95K–$160K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Engine Captain)

California · Office of the Secretary of the Interior

$67,617–$102,474/yr GW-8 Apply by Sep 17

💰 ~$107K–$178K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland firefighter jobs in other states

Idaho (2 open) Arizona (2 open) Utah (2 open) South Dakota (1 open, 1 entry-level) Alaska (1 open) Texas (1 open) Oregon Montana Colorado Wyoming New Mexico Washington Nevada Minnesota Florida Virginia Michigan Tennessee North Carolina Mississippi Oklahoma Georgia Illinois Arkansas Missouri South Carolina Kentucky Wisconsin North Dakota Louisiana West Virginia Alabama Nebraska Pennsylvania Indiana New Hampshire Ohio Vermont Kansas

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