Salary
$52,008.00 - $68,628.00 Annually
Location
Boulder, CO
Job Type
Term
Job Number
SH2026-015
Department
Sheriffs Office
Division
SHE Operations
Opening Date
04/01/2026
Closing Date
4/15/2026 12:00 PM Mountain
FLSA
Non-Exempt
- Description
- Benefits
- Questions
Description
Term Wildland Firefighter
Monthly salary range $4,334 - $5,719
Annual salary range $52,008 - $68,628
Hiring salary range $4,334 - $5,027 depending on experience
The Wildland Firefighter is responsible for assisting the Senior Firefighter (SRFF), Fire Management Operations Specialist (FOS) and Fire Management Officer(s) (FMO/AFMO) with fire suppression operations, prescribed fire, and forest restoration activities.
Title to which this position is Supervised by: Fire Management Officer(s) (FMO/AFMO)
Titles to which this position reports to: Fire Management Operations Specialists (FOSs) and Senior Firefighters (SRFFs)
Titles that report to this position: None
New employees receive an 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire, in addition to 8 hours of both vacation and medical leave accruals each month.
Boulder County is a family-friendly workplace dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.
PLEASE NOTE: When completing your application describe all relevant education and experience, as applications are assessed based on the required qualifications listed. Resumes and other attachments are not accepted in lieu of completed applications and will not be reviewed in the initial screening process. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your attachments will then be shared with the hiring team.
Examples of Duties
- Suppresses and extinguishes wildland fire.
- Performs fire prevention activities.
- Participates in fire crew physical training (PT) sessions & maintains self in good physical condition.
- Manages, maintains, and repairs suppression equipment, and supplies related to wildland fire.
- Participates in forest restoration and hazard fuel mitigation activities.
- Assists with prescribed fire planning and implementation.
- Must be available for fire assignments locally, regionally, and nationally, requiring extended travel.
- May respond to incidents 24/7, holidays, and weekends, which may require paid over-time.
- Attends & completes all mandatory trainings.
- Instructs, assists, and participates with fire-related trainings and courses as needed and as qualified.
- Performs other related work duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Age: Must be 18 years of age or older.
Physical: Candidates must successfully complete a physical fitness assessment consisting of either a 1.5-mile run (men: 13:30 or less; women: 15:00 or less) or a 3-mile run (men: 28:00 or less; women: 32:00 or less). Additional minimum standards include push-ups (men: 25 or more; women: 15 or more), pull-ups (men: 5 or more; women: 2 or more), and a plank hold (men: 1 minute 30 seconds; women: 1 minute 15 seconds). These values represent minimum thresholds; however, due to a cumulative scoring system, candidates must exceed the minimum standard in at least one event. Meeting only the minimum in all events will not satisfy the overall requirement. Additionally, must be able to pass the Work Capacity Test (WCT): 3.0 mile walk on level ground while carrying a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less.
Education: High School Diploma and/or equivalent.
Licenses: Must have a valid driver’s license.
Qualifications: Completed S-130, S-190, L-180, I-100 and possess a current NWCG recognized Red Card.
Prefer candidate with at least one season of firefighting experience at the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualification or greater.
Applicants with similar outdoor work experience and demonstrated skills and abilities may be considered (e.g., prescribed fire, trails, fuels crew, and other field-related work).
Preferred Qualifications
- NWCG qualified Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) or higher, NWCG qualified Engine Operator (ENOP), NWCG S-212 certification of qualified Faller 3 (FAL3) or better, experience/training with portable pumps (S-211), and/or fire aviation knowledge and experience.
- Colorado state-certified or National Registry EMT-B.
- An A.S. or B.S. in Fire Science and/or Forestry, or related course study.
Special Requirements: Must be National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant within one year of filling the position. Must be first aid and CPR certified within one year. Opportunities for these and other trainings will be provided.
Employee must pass an agency criminal background check, mandatory polygraph test and driving record check.
Supplemental Information
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of principles, practices and objectives as related to wildfire behavior, wildfire suppression, prescribed fire, hazardous fuels reduction, and mitigation techniques in a wildfire-centric, safety-focused program. Ability to work proactively in a team environment. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to perform effectively in a high stress environment.
Term to Permanent: This position will be filled as a Term Limited full-time employee for an undetermined length of time. In the event that a permanent FTE spot opens up, the candidate selected will be given the opportunity to fill the permanent team position at that time.
Eligibility List: An eligibility list of candidates may be created should the selected candidate not want the permanent position or another position becomes available. Candidates placed on the eligibility list would be given priority to move into the hiring process for up to one year.
Working Conditions: Wildland firefighting is inherently hazardous and often creates stressful working conditions. Work is performed outdoors for extended periods of time in hot or cold temperatures, and inclement weather. Work exposes the employee to hazardous conditions that include high noise levels, smoke, fumes, noxious odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation. Furthermore, work exposes the employee to possible bodily injury and/or life-threatening conditions from extreme temperatures, moving mechanical parts of equipment, tools, machinery, falling trees, rolling rocks, and treacherous terrain. Other hazards include exposure to wildlife and allergenic plants and insects. Work requires use of personal protective equipment such as dust masks, eye protection, hard hats, ear protection, fire resistant Nomex clothing, and gloves that are employer provided, to mitigate some of the hazards. Employees must provide their own work boots that meet NFPA 1977 (leather, lace up, eight inch high, lug sole).
Working Environment: The Fire Management Program works directly for the Boulder County Sheriff, who is the Fire Warden for the County. Fire Management acts as the subject-matter-experts to the Sheriff for wildfire suppression, prescribed burning, fire restriction implementation, and education. Fire Management has the delegated authority to act as the Fire Warden on behalf of the Sheriff. This is NOT a law enforcement position. The Fire Management Program is responsible for suppression of forest and prairie fires on unincorporated public lands within the 740sq mi of Boulder County, including but not limited to, over 100,000 acres of County Open Space and Land Easements, and a heavily intermixed wildland urban interface (WUI). Fire Management also closely assists local, volunteer fire protection districts, full-time fire departments, US Forest Service, and National Park Service with fire suppression and prescribed fire needs.
Numerous municipalities exist within Boulder County, including the City of Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, and Nederland. It is also home to the University of Colorado at Boulder. The county is a major tourist and recreational attraction for the Denver Metro area and encompasses a portion of Rocky Mountain National Park, in addition to Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, and 45,000 acres City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks.
Wildland Firefighters participate in fire assignments locally, regionally, and nationally. Overtime and travel are required. It is also expected that individuals will take part in fire assignments with the Shadow Canyon Interagency Type Two Initial Attack Hand Crew and/or be available for Type 6 fire engine assignments locally and nationally.
Physical Demands Of The Job
- VISION: Dual vision is required. 20/20 minimum, natural or corrected, in both eyes and have minimum peripheral vision of 700 in both eyes. Frequently uses peripheral vision to observe and monitor conditions such as equipment, fire, weather conditions, as well as drive motor vehicles. Constantly is required to differentiate, shapes, distances and sizes of objects, people, and animals.
- HEARING: Dual hearing is required, natural or corrected. Good hearing is required in performing a majority of the tasks. Constantly uses hearing to distinguish the source and content of a wide variety of sounds. Constantly uses hearing to monitor and use a radio, and telephone to communicate with the dispatch center, other co-workers, firefighters, officers, and the public. Occasionally must hear people verbally communicating or calling/yelling for help from a distance of one hundred feet.
- SENSE OF SMELL: Intact. Occasionally uses the olfactory sense to evaluate the presence of toxic vapors, smoke, and fuels. Seldom uses the olfactory sense to detect illegal use of drugs or chemicals.
- SPEECH: Must be able to fluently speak and understand English. Constantly uses voice to communicate with other persons. Frequently verbally directs co-workers or the public with what to do using a louder than normal speaking voice. Seldom must talk or yell while wearing a gas mask or self-contained breathing apparatus.
- SITTING: Sitting is performed on an occasional basis. Sitting occurs during training sessions and while driving when necessary.
- STANDING/WALKING/RUNNING/STOOPING: Standing/Walking/Running/Stooping occurs on frequent basis depending on the assignment and could be in mountainous areas. Frequently must walk, stand, crouch, or run on narrow, slippery surfaces, and climb uneven terrain or rocky surfaces.
- LIFTING/CARRYING/PUSHING/PULLING: Frequently lifts, carries, pushes, pulls, or otherwise moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.
- TWISTING/TURNING AT THE WAIST AND NECK: Twisting/turning at the waist and neck occurs on an occasional to frequent basis. This motion is performed while driving vehicles and utilizing tools and equipment. The fire crew members are required to demonstrate the ability to twist, while seated in a motor vehicle, sufficient enough to see into and out of the back area of the vehicle.
- Seldom: Activity or condition does not exist on a daily basis.
- Occasionally: Activity or condition exists less than 1/3 of work shift.
- Frequently: Activity or condition exists from 1/2 to 2/3 of work shift.
- Constant: Activity or condition exists more than 2/3 of work shift.
Benefits
As well as offering competitive pay and a caring work environment, Boulder County offers employees an array of benefits. For all FTE and Term employees, we provide:
Outstanding options of comprehensive health plans that include vision and dental coverage. Information can be found HERE.Additional Benefits can be found HERE. (Download PDF reader)
- Including:
- Family-forming benefits- infertility treatment, adoption and surrogacy reimbursements
- 12 weeks Paid Caregiver leave
- Breast feeding friendly-work environment
- Sick child care, an infants-at-work policy
- Access to LifeMart discount hub, including discounts on childcare centers, event tickets, travel and more!
- Access to a nationally-recognized wellness program
- Employee Assistance Program
- PERA 401k
- Social Security retirement plans
- Additional Life and Disability Insurance
- Critical Illness and Accidental Insurance
- County-paid tuition assistance
- Eligible for PSLF- Public Service Loan Forgiveness
- Free EcoPass
- Hospital Indemnity
- ID Theft Protection
- Pet Insurance
- 8 Hours of Paid Public Service Leave
Generous paid time off
- Holidays
- New Year's Day January 1
- Martin Luther King's Birthday January
- Presidents' Day February
- Memorial Day May
- Juneteenth June 19
- Independence Day July 4
- Labor Day September
- Indigenous People's Day
- General Election Day November (first Tuesday after the first Monday, even years)
- Veterans' Day November 11
- Thanksgiving Day November
- Friday after Thanksgiving*
- Christmas Eve- ½ day (full day off depends on day of the week)
- Christmas Day December 25
- New Year’s Eve- ½ day (full day off depends on day of the week)
- Vacation**
- 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire
- Eight hours of vacation per month for the first year of continuous service, then accrue twelve hours of vacation per month after the first year of continuous service.
- Medical**
- Eight hours of medical leave for each month employed.
PERA- The County and all employees pay into both Social Security and PERA
- Employer contribution to Social Security: 7.65% of salary
- Employer contribution to PERA (Local Government Division- most county employees: 14.76%
- The District Attorney’s Office observe Francis Xavier Cabrini Day on the first Monday in October and omit the Friday after Thanksgiving
- Vacation and Medical leave are based off of full time FTE accruals. Part-time FTE/term employees accrue leave based on the percentage of time they work.
01
It Is Important That You Answer All Questions Below Pertaining To Previous Life And Employment History Truthfully, Even If Previous Experiences Are Not Always Favorable. Please Indicate That You Understand The Following- I Understand That In Order For My Application To Be Considered And For Me Advance Through The Hiring Process, I Must Answer The Following Questions Truthfully. Any Discrepancies Between The Information That I Provide On My Application And Future Testing For This Position May Disqualify Me From The Hiring Process
02
Please list any and all aliases, maiden name, nicknames, other name changes.
03
List all residences in the last 10 years, beginning with your most recent address, including county of resident. List dates resided at each residence.
04
I acknowledge that in order to be considered for a position with the Boulder County Sheriff's Office I must list all places of employment for the last 15 years.
05
Have you ever been discharged (fired), asked to resign, furloughed, or put on inactive status for cause, or subjected to disciplinary action while employed? If so, state place of employment and circumstances.
06
Have you worked for the Boulder County Sheriff's Office previously? If so, state dates employed, position, and supervisor.
07
Have you served in the United States Armed Forces?
08
If YES to Military service, were you ever disciplined, arrested, or court marshaled? If so, please explain.
09
Are you now or have you ever been a member of any organization, association, movement, or group which advocates the overthrow of our constitutional form of government, or which has adopted the policy of advocating or approving the commission of acts of force or violence or which seeks to alter the form of government of the United States by unconstitutional means?
10
Are you now or have you even been a member of or associated with a group or organization that engages in illegal activities; and/or are you now or have you ever been associated with a group that advocates or engages in hatred, hostility, or violence towards people of a different race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, or other protected categories?
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Do you have any tattoos/scars/marks anywhere on your body that are associated with a group that advocates or engages in hatred, hostility, or violence towards people of a different race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, or other protected category?
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Litigation Information: Have you ever been the plaintiff of, or named in civil litigation, or received notice of claim or intent to be sued? If yes, please explain.
13
Please tell us about any prior drug usage (including marijuana and psilocybin mushrooms)- drugs used, how often, approximate last time used for each. Sharing this information will not preclude you from employment, however, it is information we need to evaluate your honesty and integrity as part of the hiring process.
14
Driver's License: List all states where you have been licensed to operate a motor vehicle. LIST YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER.
15
Traffic summons/tickets: List any traffic tickets/summons or accidents, indicated date (to the best of your knowledge), Police or Military Agency, Location, and Disposition.
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Criminal Offense Information: List any occurrence for which you were arrested, and/or detained by police, regardless of formality and punishment. List occurrences as an adult and as a juvenile. If none, list N/A
17
List any friends, relatives, or acquaintances employed by Boulder County Sheriff's Office and their relationship to you.
18
Were you referred to this position by a current BCSO employee, volunteer, or employee who is contracted to work for the BCSO? If so, what is their name?
19
Have you previously applied with the Boulder County Sheriff's Office? If yes, state for which position(s) applied and dates.
20
Do you have active applications with other law enforcement agencies? If yes, list agency, date, position applied for, and status (if known).
21
Why are you seeking employment with the Boulder County Sheriff's Office and why do you feel qualified for the position for which you have applied?
22
Notwithstanding the provisions of Colorado Constitutional Amendment 20, Medical Marijuana, and Amendment 64 legalizing the limited use of marijuana, or Colorado Revised Statute 12-170-103 (the use of "natural medicines," also known as psilocybin mushrooms, the use or non-duty related possession of marijuana or "natural medicines" (psilocybin mushrooms) by a Sheriff's Office employee is a violation of federal law, and is prohibited by policy. Do you acknowledge the use of marijuana and “natural medicine” (i.e.: Psilocybin mushrooms) is prohibited by Federal law and Boulder County Sheriff’s Office policy?
23
List all high schools attended, dates attended and school address.
24
AUTHORIZATION FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION: I hereby authorize the release of all information and records concerning myself to any agent of the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. The intent of this authorization is to give my consent for complete disclosure of information regarding my background, reputation, and character. This includes, but is not limited to: Records of educational institutions; military records; employment and pre-employment records; training records; financial or credit records; complaints or grievances filed by or against me; records of investigation, complaint, arrest, trial and/or convictions for alleged or actual violations of law; the results of polygraph examinations; records of civil complaints made by or against me; and verbal or written statements by any person; however personal or confidential they may appear to be. I respectfully request and direct you to release all such information upon the request of any representative of the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, regardless of any agreement to the contrary I may have previously made with you. I understand that the above information is for use by the Boulder County Sheriff's Office in conducting a background investigation to determine my suitability for employment, and will be kept confidential. I understand that all materials obtained become the property of the Boulder County Sheriff's Office and will not be released to me. In the event my application is disapproved, the specific reason therefore cannot be revealed to me. I understand that I have rights guaranteed by law to privacy with regards to the disclosure and access of records of information concerning me, and I voluntarily, knowingly, and willingly waive those rights with the understanding that information furnished will be used by the Boulder County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with employment procedures. For and in consideration of the acceptance and processing of my application for employment, I agree to hold the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, its agents, and employees harmless from any and all claims and liability associated with my application for employment or in any way connected with the decision whether or not to employ me with the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. I agree to indemnify and hold harmless any person or organization, and their agents and employees, to whom this request is presented, from and against all claims, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, arising out of or by reason of complying with this request. A photocopy, fax, scanned, or electronic version of this release form will be valid as an original hereof, even though said photocopy does not contain my original signature. APPLICANT: Type your full name in the space provided. By doing so, you acknowledge that your typed name constitutes and electronic signature, which holds the same force as an original signature.
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I affirm that the information contained in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that withholding pertinent information or purposely falsifying information will be cause for refusing further consideration of my application. I also acknowledge that by submitting my application I am giving the Boulder County Sheriff's Office permission to investigate my background, including criminal history. I understand that my date of birth may be required to accurately conduct a criminal background investigation.
Required Question
Employer Boulder County
Address 2025 14th Street
Boulder, Colorado, 80302
Phone 303-441-3525
Website http://www.bouldercounty.org
