Wildland Fire Suppression Specialist (Permanent)
State of Oregon
Hermiston | OMD | Rees Training Center, Unknown
Full-Time
$3,797
OfficeSenior
Initial Posting Date:
06/01/2026Application Deadline:
08/01/2026Agency:
State of Oregon Military DepartmentSalary Range:
$3,797.00 - $5,190.00Position Type:
EmployeePosition Title:
Wildland Fire Suppression Specialist (Permanent)Job Description:
The Oregon Military Department is a state agency that supports the Oregon National Guard. You are NOT required to be a member of the Oregon National Guard to apply for this position.
The Oregon Military Department is recruiting 3 Permanent Wildland Fire Suppression Specialists. These are permanent full-time state positions located at the Rees Training Center in Hermiston, Oregon.
This recruitment will remain open continuously until all three positions are filled. The first candidate list will be pulled on June 8, 2026. This recruitment may close any time after that date.
These positions are represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees’ (AFSCME) union.
NOTE: This recruitment announcement will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
OMD is dedicated to diversity efforts that reinforce respectful treatment of others in the workplace. These efforts focus on identifying ways to work better together, reducing conflict by increasing understanding, improving collaboration, fostering teamwork, and increasing productivity and quality of services delivered by OMD.
What You Will be Doing
The purpose of this position is to perform a wide variety of manual tasks in the areas of wildland fire prevention, pre-suppression, and fire suppression. Serves as a member or engineer operator for an engine or on a hand crew. This position is responsible for engine/crew readiness of an assigned crew. This position coordinates and/or performs physical labor necessary to suppress and extinguish wildfire. Duties include detection, pre-suppression, prevention, and suppression. Also completes routine building and ground maintenance.
Working Conditions
Employee is expected to work in a safe and efficient manner, including reporting to work for scheduled shift with all personal protective equipment (PPE). Required to drive wildland fire engines obeying all traffic laws and drives on steep narrow forest roads. Required to work various shifts including holidays, nights, weekends, and long hours on short notice. Assignments to emergency incidents may require employee to be away from duty station for up to 21 days. Occasionally required to work under adverse conditions such as noise, smoke, heat, rough terrain, dust, inclement weather and exposure to poison oak, bees and poisonous snakes. Requires occasional exposure to heavy equipment operations, aircraft, hazards of burning and/or falling material, and chemical and biological pesticides.
What You Need to Qualify
Two (2) seasons of Wildland firefighting experience.
Note: Successful applicants must take and pass the physical fitness Work Capacity Test at the arduous level. work capacity test arduous - Search
Please Note: Please be sure that the work experience section of your application clearly describes your experience, skills and or education that are relevant to the above listed “What You Need to Qualify” section of the announcement.
Additional Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
Conditions of Employment
Must have and maintain a favorable Criminal background History check and be able to obtain and maintain a favorable Department of Defense National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) Suitability Determination (T1). (Conviction of a crime will not automatically preclude appointment, the circumstances involved in the conviction will be considered).
Successful candidates must take and pass the physical fitness work capacity test at the arduous level.
Employee is required to maintain a drug/alcohol free workplace in accordance with OMD Drug/Alcohol CPM’s, Policies, and the Statewide Drug Free Workplace Policy 50-000-01.
Work Experience
The work experience section of your application must include a clear description of your experience to determine if you meet the required skills (minimum qualifications) and at what level you meet the requested skills. Your answers to supplemental questions about your specific experience must also be supported in the work experience statements in your application form and, if requested, your resume.
You Must Download the Following to Your Application
(Failure to attach the required documents may result in your application not moving forward in the process)
A current resume that clearly describes your experience and/or education related to the requirements of the position and demonstrates that you meet the minimum requirements of the position as listed.
The Oregon Military Department is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer, committed to a diverse workforce with equal opportunity programs.
Additional Information
Only complete applications will be considered. Be sure to answer all supplemental questions completely and to show your experience in the Work Experience section of your application. The selection process will consist of an evaluation of experience and training.
All final candidates using education to meet minimum qualifications will be required to provide a copy of their transcripts (official or unofficial) during the process.
This announcement closes at 11:59PM on the close date listed.
The successful candidate for this position will be subject to a LEDS check.
The successful candidate for this position will be subject to a fingerprint-based background check.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S without a visa sponsorship. (Applicants who require a visa sponsorship will not be considered at this time).
If you are a current State of Oregon employee, you must apply through your employee Workday profile.
After you submit your application, you will have additional tasks to complete in Workday. Please continue to check your Workday account throughout the recruitment process.
A Classification and Compensation analyst will review the relevant experience and or educations in the Workday Application of the successful candidate to determine starting wages.
The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.
The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.
What We Have to Offer You
Great Benefits- The State of Oregon offers a competitive and affordable health and benefits package, including excellent medical, vision and dental coverage. Oregon Job Opportunities : Benefits : State of Oregon
Work Life Balance- 12 Paid holidays, and personal business leave, as well as paid and accrued vacation leave and sick leave.
Additional Benefits- In addition to standard medical benefits and employee leave, the state also provides additional optional benefits, such as basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
Career Development - Learn new skills, Career Growth Opportunities, Great Team Environment, and a sense of belonging. With Oregon Military Department, you will feel excited about the work you do and feel valued for your contribution and collaboration.
Our Team- The Oregon Military Department is a team of diverse, dedicated, and collaborative individuals that work together to support our states Army and Air National Guard. Visit our agency website: OMD Click Here
Need Assistance?
If you require an alternate format to complete the employment process, you may call Recruitment Services at 971-355-3984. Please be prepared to leave a message describing the alternate format needed.
If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, preemployment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact the recruiter or HR team for this job opening
Veteran Percentage Points
Since the time of the Civil War, Veterans of the Armed Forces have been given some degree of preference in appointments to government jobs. In recognizing the sacrifices made by those serving in the Armed Forces, Congress enacted laws to prevent veterans seeking employment from being penalized because of the time spent in military service. To receive veterans’ preference points, when you answer “yes” you are a veteran, you will receive a task from your Workday account requesting you to upload your military documents. Please do NOT attach your military documents to your initial application.
To qualify for 5 points
A copy of your DD214/DD215 showing honorable discharge from active duty.
To qualify for 10 points
A copy of your veterans’ disability preference letter from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs showing honorable discharge from active duty and that you have a service-connected disability.
For Transitioning Service-Members
A “working” Copy of your DD215-DD215 (typically Member-4) showing under honorable conditions discharge from active duty within 120 days or Less from Ending Term of Service (ETS) date.
Eligible Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position may be awarded candidate preference.
For additional detailed information regarding Veteran Preference Point Laws visit: Veterans Click Here.
Contact Information
Shawn Potapoff
971-209-5712