March 2, 2017 - The U.S. Forest Service is seeking qualified veterans for paid training in prescribed burns and wildland fire suppression for temporary positions.
Veterans selected for the eight-week program must be 18 years or older with an honorable military discharge and would complete a two-week basic firefighter training course on the Ocala National Forest in Florida. Including training, the program runs from May 14, 2017 through July 22, 2017, and possibly longer. Positions are available in Yellowpine, Zavalla, Decatur, Ratcliff and New Waverly.
According to Peter Goetzinger, Fire Management Officer for the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, there is potential for the temporary work to become full time.
“Those selected will be required to move dirt, chop brush, fell small trees, patrol firelines to extinguish flare-ups or hot-spot fires, and perform other resource management activities,” he said.
Other qualifications for the job include, meeting VRA eligibility requirements, passing a work capacity test and having transportation to and from the duty site.
Resume and a DD-214 copy 4 should be sent to USDA Forest Service, Attn: Ginelle Heller, Fire and Aviation Workforce Development Manager, 1720 Peachtree, Suite 746, Atlanta, GA 30309 before the March 17 deadline.
