Firefighter and Prevention First-Line Supervisor Careers

Recruit Firefighter
Full-Time, Non-Exempt
*No Experience Required*


Join our growing team at Golder Ranch Fire District!


Benefits for this position: We have an amazing benefits package, worth approximately 35% of your salary!

• Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS)
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurances
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and 12 Paid Holidays annually (birthday included)
• District paid concierge healthcare service for you and your family
• Opportunity for continued education reimbursement
• Option to participate in additionally self-funded retirement plans and a variety of supplemental insurance plans


The best benefit of all is our people! We have amazing team members and enjoy spending time together. What better way to spend your working hours than with people you enjoy!


Primary Function:
The primary function of the Recruit Firefighter is to learn and apply general duty firefighter work in a non-emergency academic setting and obtain Fire I and Fire II certifications and National Registry Certification and/or Arizona State EMCT-EMT. The Recruit Firefighter is enrolled in the Golder Ranch Fire District (GRFD) Fire Academy for training and is subject to the GRFD Recruit Training Academy Manual (RTAM), as well as all GRFD Policies and Procedures. During the GRFD Fire Academy, the Recruit Firefighter must demonstrate competency in the principal duties and responsibilities, as defined in the job description.

Minimum Application Requirements:
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Must possess a valid Arizona driver’s license with an acceptable driving record

Preferred Application Requirements:
• Fire I and Fire II Certifications at the time of application
• National Registry Certification and/or Arizona State EMCT-EMT or EMCT-Paramedic level certification, at the time of application
o Note: IF applicant only possesses National Registry Certification at time of application, MUST be able to attain Arizona State EMCT-EMT or EMCT-Paramedic level certification. Proof of the required certifications must be provided within one (1) week of conditional offer of employment.

All mandatory and preferred certifications must be current and maintained throughout assignment as Recruit Firefighter.


Pay Information During Academy

Recruit Firefighter
Estimated Starting Annual Wage: $52,164.22
Wage During Academy: 40 hr/work week - $25.08/hr

The GRFD Firefighter Academy is a 40-hour/work week schedule, with additional required overtime estimated at 10-hour/week, for a length to be determined based upon District needs. Dependent upon organizational needs, this academy may include a module allowing candidates to earn their EMT certification. Only candidates who successfully complete this module, regardless of current EMCT-EMT or EMCT-Paramedic certification, will continue their participation in the GRFD Firefighter Academy.

Upon the successful completion of the Firefighter Academy, candidate status will change from Recruit Firefighter (40-hour/work week schedule) to Probationary Firefighter (56-hour/work week schedule) and will be paid based upon certification held.

Pay Information Following Academy

Firefighter (EMT Certified)
Estimated Starting Annual Wage: $56,312.02
Wage upon assignment to suppression schedule: 56-hr/work week
$18.83/hr

Firefighter - Paramedic
Estimated Starting Annual Wage: $70,024.08
Wage upon assignment to suppression schedule: 56-hr/work week
$23.42/hr

Employment Application & Documents Requirement:
In order for an applicant to be eligible for consideration to proceed through the assessment and selection process, it is the responsibility of the candidate to submit a COMPLETE application packet to GRFD, including:
1. GRFD Employment Application – use link below
1. Please ensure your email address is correct prior to submitting your application.
2. Only one application will be accepted for each candidate.
2. Resume – outlining work history by mouth and year
3. If certified: Proof of current applicable certifications

All dates and activities are tentative and are subject to change.
7/17 – 8/18 Recruitment opens, applications accepted
7/18 – 8/18 SparkHire Assessment Available, sent upon review of completed application
8/19, due by 8/24 SparkHire Video Interviews Available
8/27 & 8/28 CPAT Orientation
9/27 & 9/29 CPAT Practice Test
10/27 – 10/31 CPAT Exam
11/17 – 11/21 Credibility Exam via EyeDetect
11/17 – 11/21 Chiefs Interviews
11/30 Extended Job Offers Acceptance Due
12/1 Background Checks
12/8 – 12/22 Physicals with 1582, fingerprints, FIT testing, sizing for PPE
1/5/2026 Academy Start

All contact with applicants will be via email. No walk-in applications will be accepted.

Selection process may consist of: Application screening, skills assessment, credibility assessment, and interview(s). The pre-employment process for the successful candidate may include but is not limited to background checks (i.e. driving record, criminal history, etc.), physical examination, drug screen, and reference checks.

Candidate Notification: All candidate notifications will be completed by email. Please ensure you have entered your email address correctly before submitting your application. In case we need to reach you by phone, please ensure your voicemail is set up and not full.

Safety Sensitive: This job is designated by GRFD as a safety-sensitive position because it includes tasks or duties that GRFD, in good faith, believes could affect the safety or health of the employee performing the task or others (ARS 23-493). This job may require the operation of a motor vehicle, equipment, machinery, or power tools. An applicant or incumbent may be disqualified, disciplined, or terminated, if they are determined to be positive for marijuana or its metabolites, regardless of cardholder status.

Preference Points defined: The District will apply civil service preference points for veterans pursuant to ARS §38-492.

Reasonable Accommodation Request: Applicants with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation for this process must contact Human Resources at (520) 825-9001 option 6.


Golder Ranch Fire District is a Drug and Tobacco-Free Workplace, and an Equal Opportunity Employer

Summary Vacancy is on the Grand Canyon National Park, Fire Mgt Office Division, at South Rim Village. Serves as an experienced member of a wildland fire module or crew executing wildland fire management activities in fire preparation, fuels management/prevention, fire suppression, monitoring and post-fire. Work may include all hazard and emergency response activities. Provides technical leadership to wildland fire helitack crew and daily inspects helicopter accessories/specialized fire equipment/tools. Responsibilities Direct the operation and use of special tools and equipment such as power saws, portable pumps, firing devices and communication equipment. Make decision as to when, where, and how equipment can be utilized to the greatest advantage, ensuring proper assembly of equipment and supplies for fire or daily work assignments. Direct moderately complex fuels management projects by conducting project assessments and gathering data (e.g. fuel quality and conditions), plan (e.g. drafting or reviewing fuels management plans), preparing (e.g. ensure proper training) and implementation (e.g. ignition, holding, mop-up) treatments. Serve as a situational leader on wildland fires by directing the work of a small crew of wildland firefighters in building fire lines, burning out, mopping up, and patrolling fire lines. Serve as back-up or assistant to the first level supervisor or lead in their absence. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males. Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and also pass a medical examination which includes vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities given by an authorized government physician. You will also be required to periodic medical examinations throughout employment. The Work Capacity Test (WCT-Pack Test) as a method for assessing an employee's fitness levels for fire qualifications in the positions covered by this recruitment notice. Arduous fitness (WCT-Pack Test) will consist of completing a three-mile hike, within 45 minutes, while carrying a 45 pound pack. NOTE: Arduous Work Capacity Test You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor wing aircraft. You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. Occupancy of government quarters is required. If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period. Subject to frequent extended travel up to 14 nights a month particularly during fire season, and you must obtain a government charge card for travel. You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority. Qualifications All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement07/09/2025 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. Selective Factors: The applicant must have possessed all the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) AND Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) AND Helicopter Crew Member (HECM) AND NWCG Course S-211 Portable Pumps and Water AND NWCG Course S-212 Wildfire Power Saws -AND- Successfully completed at least one season as a fire helicopter crew member. -AND- This position is covered by the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) as a Primary/Rigorous Firefighter. Applicants must be 18 years of age but not have reached their 37th birthday by the closing date of this announcement. These positions are covered by the special enhanced annuity retirement provisions for Federal Firefighters and Law Enforcement officers and have a mandatory retirement age of 57. Two exceptions are allowed: 1) an applicant has prior Federal service in documented special retirement covered position(s) sufficient to count toward 20 years of covered service on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57; or 2) an applicant is a qualified veterans' preference eligible, in which case the MEA is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service. Applicants must submit proof of their previous and/or current status in the Fire Fighter or Law Enforcement special enhanced annuity retirement system. -AND- EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: NOTE: If your firefighting experience includes both structural and wildland, it is essential your application materials clearly separate and document your wildland experience. For the GW-06 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS/GW-05 level in the Federal service. Examples include: Performed and directed others in starting engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and foam application; performed prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop up; evaluated initial fire situations, determining rate of spread, potential hazards to property and other improvements; ensured the engine and fire equipment has been kept in full state of readiness for emergency dispatch. For the GW-07 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS/GW-06 level in the Federal service. Examples include: Performed in wildland hand-crew fire operations; helitack operations; lead other hand-crew members; initial attack and suppression hand-crew operations; prescribed fire operations; wildland fire engine crew operations; helitack fire crew operations; provided on-the-job training and conducted daily crew briefings, safety sessions, and/or other basic wildland fire training. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade levels of this announcement. Additional Information This notice is being issued to recruit personnel to occupations for which a critical hiring need has been identified. To assist in filling these positions, OPM has granted the Department of the Interior "Direct Hire Authority". PLEASE NOTE - this position is covered under the new GW pay table specific to Wildland Firefighters. A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR §575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive. A Relocation Incentive May Be Authorized for a Federal employee when the employee must move, as directed by the National Park Service (NPS) either through a management directed reassignment or selection for employment, to a different location at least 50 miles away from the one where his/her position of record held at time of selection is currently located, due to a need of the NPS. A relocation incentive is not the same as a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move and, as such, may be granted in conjunction with one another. This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Physical Demands: Arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity. Working Conditions: Forest, ranger, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with think tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures commonly exceed 100-degree F and may fall below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor bivouac and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances. Firefigthters may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be work (e.g. boots, hard hat, gloves, flame resistant clothing). Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft.