High Desert Wildfire Recruitment Academy
Vale District Bureau of Land Management is seeking career-focused, motivated individuals to participate in our Wildfire Academy dedicated to equipping attendees with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in wildland firefighting, as well as introduce them to the wide array of job opportunities and career paths within the federal government.
Camp Dates: Oct. 17-23, 2025
The intent of the Academy is to deliver basic firefighting training and introduce participants to fire culture and natural resources job opportunities.
Our mission is to build a resilient and skilled workforce committed to public service and operational excellence in the face of growing wildfire challenges.
The Academy is seven days and will be held at a remote duty station on the Vale District. Participants will report to the Vale District Office in Vale, Oregon, and travel together to the Juntura Duty Station. During this academy you will learn basics about physical fitness, dietary needs, basic outdoor camping, field skills, job opportunities, how to apply for the federal workforce, and more! After completing this training, individuals will be in a position to apply for seasonal and/or casual hire employment.
Training
This is a PAID (travel not included) recruitment academy, designed to prepare participants for careers in wildland firefighting. The program includes foundational firefighter training courses, daily physical conditioning, and expert guidance on navigating the federal job application process.
Required pre-work includes:
- IS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System (available online)
- IS-700 An Introduction to the Nation Incident Management System (available online)
Participants will receive the basic wildland firefighting courses. These introductory courses are designed to train entry-level firefighters (Firefighter Type 2).
Courses taught during academy:
- S-130 Firefighter Training
- S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
- L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service
You will be introduced to and gain knowledge of the basic incident management organization, firefighting techniques, suppression equipment, safety, strategy and tactics, and fire behavior. There will be a full field day of hands-on training.
Other trainings will include a USAjobs.gov overview and resume building, as well as a job fair with firefighter and natural resource personnel.
Questions? Call Marisa Carney at 541-473-6374 or Amanda Schlupe at 541-473-6294; or email blm_or_vl_hdacademy@blm.gov.
