Since 2017, 133 wildland firefighter jobs have been posted across Kansas — and 69 were entry-level (no experience needed). Here's where the crews are and how to pick one.
Most Kansas jobs get posted in August, September, March. Federal fire hiring runs in the fall and winter for the next summer — so apply early, months before fire season.
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.
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.
🌱 Entry-level here
Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):
🌱 Entry-level here
Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):
🌱 Entry-level here
Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):
🌱 Entry-level here
Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):
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.
No Kansas jobs are open this minute — federal fire postings come in waves (mostly fall and winter). Browse all open jobs, or check back soon.
Talk to someone who just landed one of these jobs — ask about the towns, the crews, the pack test, and the money. Parents welcome.
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