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Idaho Wildland Firefighter Jobs

Since 2016, 2,567 wildland firefighter jobs have been posted across Idaho — and 761 were entry-level (no experience needed). Here's where the crews are and how to pick one.

2 jobs open in Idaho right now (0 entry-level) →

When they hire

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

Who hires

  • Forest Service (2,042)
  • Bureau of Land Management (455)
  • Office of the Secretary of the Interior (27)
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (19)

Crew types posted

  • Smokejumpers (210)
  • Helitack (144)
  • Dispatch (135)
  • Hotshot crew (126)
  • Fuels / Rx fire (90)

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 Idaho

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 2 jobs open now in Idaho

McCall, Idaho

611 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 18 entry-level spots a year (163 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in October, September, January — 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
19
'19
21
'20
15
'21
21
'22
25
'23
14
'24
12
'25
17
'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.
  • 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.

Grangeville, Idaho

588 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 20 entry-level spots a year (183 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in October, September, January — 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):

27
'18
23
'19
35
'20
16
'21
17
'22
24
'23
18
'24
11
'25
9
'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.
  • 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.

Boise, Idaho

579 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 13 entry-level spots a year (127 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in October, September, January — 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):

12
'18
11
'19
21
'20
12
'21
14
'22
13
'23
12
'24
11
'25
13
'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.
  • 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.

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

538 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 21 entry-level spots a year (188 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in October, September, January — 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
24
'19
42
'20
19
'21
22
'22
26
'23
15
'24
9
'25
11
'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.

Kooskia, Idaho

487 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 21 entry-level spots a year (197 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in October, September, January — 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):

28
'18
29
'19
37
'20
17
'21
16
'22
30
'23
15
'24
10
'25
10
'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.

Idaho City, Idaho

466 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 20 entry-level spots a year (188 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in October, September, January — 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
28
'19
30
'20
20
'21
27
'22
28
'23
10
'24
11
'25
13
'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.

Challis, Idaho

420 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 18 entry-level spots a year (163 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in October, September, January — 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
22
'19
26
'20
16
'21
25
'22
25
'23
10
'24
7
'25
11
'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.

Pocatello, Idaho

389 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 16 entry-level spots a year (142 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in October, September, January — 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
13
'19
19
'20
12
'21
19
'22
20
'23
20
'24
13
'25
13
'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.

Mountain Home, Idaho

382 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 17 entry-level spots a year (159 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in October, September, January — 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):

15
'18
18
'19
24
'20
17
'21
19
'22
24
'23
12
'24
12
'25
14
'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.

Burley, Idaho

381 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 15 entry-level spots a year (137 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in October, September, January — 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
20
'20
11
'21
14
'22
19
'23
17
'24
11
'25
12
'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.
  • Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.

Lowman, Idaho

363 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 17 entry-level spots a year (154 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in October, September, January — 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
19
'19
26
'20
13
'21
20
'22
26
'23
11
'24
11
'25
13
'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.

White Bird, Idaho

357 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 17 entry-level spots a year (157 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in October, September, January — 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):

23
'18
20
'19
29
'20
15
'21
15
'22
24
'23
15
'24
9
'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.

Ketchum, Idaho

356 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 14 entry-level spots a year (127 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in October, September, January — 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
18
'19
23
'20
13
'21
16
'22
17
'23
12
'24
9
'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.
  • 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.

Avery, Idaho

355 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 18 entry-level spots a year (159 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in October, September, January — 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):

23
'18
21
'19
38
'20
18
'21
15
'22
22
'23
9
'24
5
'25
8
'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.

Garden Valley, Idaho

346 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 16 entry-level spots a year (147 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in October, September, January — 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
21
'19
24
'20
15
'21
18
'22
18
'23
12
'24
12
'25
12
'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.

Idaho wildland firefighter jobs open right now

2 open postings in Idaho, live from USAJOBS.

Forestry Technician (Smokejumper Specialist)

Boise, Idaho · Office of the Secretary of the Interior

$67,617–$87,899/yr GW-8 Apply by Jun 11

💰 ~$97K–$163K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Crew Coordinator)

Boise, Idaho · Office of the Secretary of the Interior

$112,824–$146,671/yr GW-13 Apply by Jun 10

💰 ~$162K–$272K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland firefighter jobs in other states

California (4 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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