I typed this up a while ago and was drunk so but anyways
This was my third season and I got promoted to be an engine boss and was making 12.55 an hour. I started at 9.90 with no training or experience. Depending on how much overtime you make will make an ENORMOUS amount on how much you earn. Like my first year working 2 1/2 months I made around 7-9,000dollars and this season even at 12.55 and i made about the same because it was a bad (not many fires) fire season.
So there are a couple different employeers.
Forest Service FS
-advancement is slow
+you can make a career out of it/more easily transition into other forest service positions after a few years especially with a degree.
+you get hazard pay. Which isan extra 25% for hours spent on fires. with overtime it adds up real fast.
-Lots of bull shit rules and regulations which really isnt that bad but sometimes people can be really uptight. ex walking 4 miles because a dick head wont let you ride in the back of the truck as its against regulations. There are times where thats a legit thing to say but what i reference is not.
BLM
i havent extensively worked with them, they are largely a grassland/plains fire service. But seem seem pretty legit, dont know any career oriented people.
National Parks service
each park has their own crews
+you get to work in some badass places.
-they often dont have many fires, and end up lots of trail crew type jobs.
-nothing really in terms of a career
Department of natural resources DNRC
I worked for the montana DNRC in the NW corner of the state. Im not going to lie it was fucking sick, we have a crew of 10 people some are whack but there are some real sick guys to kick it with on the crew. Ive worked with DNRC offices all over the NW part of the US and generally they are laid back chill dudes who get the job done when it needs to be done. You get some really fucking stupid people in the organization and i mean stupid on a vareity of different levels, but most people are legit people to work with. Ive worked with some of the best and worst the world has to offer with the dnrc. Which brings up the point you ALWAYS need to be looking out for your own neck, If you plan on getting into the business never let your guard down. It takes a bit to learn everythings capabilities but it all comes with experience.
in short the DNRC
+laid back effective oraganization
-lower pay compared to FS or BLM
-less career advancement. It's a smaller organization than the FS and BLM
+if your above average you can really stick out and get tagged from a "managment fast track"
my experiences in short
-coordinated helicopters and air tanker drops via radio, crushed my conception of how hard i could work, seen some unbelievable fires and landscapes.
-met some of the coolest people ive yet to encounter
-seen some baffling displays of stupidity
-had a blast doing it all
-awesome leadership training and experience
-had an awesome summer three years running
-made bank
Since you have a degree in progress id go FS they have benefits and more career transition potential.
You can apply for some jobs at usajobs.gov and auvuedigitalservice for FS. My advice is to call and try to talk to the people who are going to hire you. So for example if you apply at estes park call the fire team leader, fire forester or find out whoever runs it tell them your interested. They will be used to this kind of thing and 4/5 times you'll leave a message they wont call back. It just to show that you're interested in the job. and last but not least never take yourself to seriously and laugh at the people in the fire world that do.
im pretty buzzed now but had fun writing that. if something doesnt make sense or i skipped something you wanna know about lemme know.
also, you will have a higher chance of employment in the state you have legal residence/an address, locals first, it just works that way. Which is why its really important to call.
