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Jonathan
Student
Las Vegas, Nevada
3
Questions
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What kind of benefits do you receive as a forest firefighter in the U.S. Forrest Service?
what kind of benefits do you receive as a forest firefighter in the U.S.F.S.?
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2 answers
Dusty Swanson
Wildland Firefighter
1
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Portland, Oregon
Updated
Dusty’s Answer
Hi Jonathan, I have been in wildland fire for 4 years and I have worked for the Forest Service for 2 of those years. When you start out as a wildland firefighter with the forest service you will be a seasonal employee. That means you will be hired each year to work for roughly 6 months and then you will be laid off for the winter. As a seasonal employee you don’t receive many traditional benefits. The main benefit is subsidized (discounted) health insurance while you are employed. The downside is that you lose the subsidy (discount) when you get laid off at the end of the season so most people do not keep the insurance during the off season (winter). The job does have fringe benefits though. Making a decent salary ($30-40,000) in 6 months and then having 6 months off to travel, go to school, or work on other things is great. In addition, after seasonal employees are laid off by the forest service they are eligible for unemployment benefits which can be more than enough to live off of depending on which state you live in. After a few years (seasons) with the forest service (depending on skill level and certifications) you will be eligible for a permanent position. Permanent positions come with more traditional benefits including year round health insurance, a special firefighter retirement program, and you still get a few months off (unpaid) during the winter. I hope this answers your question. Please reach out if you have any more questions, I would be happy to answer.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hi there, Jonathan!
I'm thrilled to share with you the advantages that come with being a forest firefighter in the U.S. Forest Service. These brave individuals enjoy a host of benefits, such as competitive salaries, comprehensive health and life insurance, solid retirement plans, paid time off, and chances for career growth and training.
When it comes to pay, forest firefighters in the U.S. Forest Service earn a competitive salary that matches their experience and skills. The exact amount can depend on various factors like their location, rank, and years of service.
As for health and life insurance, all U.S. Forest Service employees, including forest firefighters, qualify for extensive health insurance coverage. This could encompass medical, dental, and vision plans. Plus, they may also be eligible for life insurance coverage, providing financial safety for their loved ones.
Forest firefighters usually have access to retirement plans such as the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). These plans offer a stable income source during their golden years.
In terms of time off, forest firefighters generally get paid time off, which includes vacation days, sick leave, and holidays. This means they can enjoy a break from work while still earning their usual pay.
The U.S. Forest Service also offers career growth opportunities through promotions and professional development. Forest firefighters can take advantage of specialized training programs to improve their firefighting techniques, leadership skills, and emergency response capabilities.
Besides these benefits, forest firefighters might also qualify for other perks like tuition assistance for further education, flexible work schedules, and access to employee assistance programs.
In a nutshell, the U.S. Forest Service's benefits package for forest firefighters aims to attract and keep skilled staff by offering them financial stability, healthcare coverage, and opportunities for personal and professional development.
Here are the top 3 authoritative references I used:
1. USDA Forest Service: This is the official website of the USDA Forest Service, where you can find detailed information about employment benefits for forest firefighters and other employees.
2. Federal Employee Benefits: This reliable source provides comprehensive insights into the benefits available to federal employees, including those working in agencies like the U.S. Forest Service.
3. National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): NIFC offers valuable resources related to wildland firefighting careers and benefits available to firefighters working within federal agencies.
These sources helped ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided about the benefits received by forest firefighters in the U.S. Forest Service.
May you be blessed abundantly!
James.
I'm thrilled to share with you the advantages that come with being a forest firefighter in the U.S. Forest Service. These brave individuals enjoy a host of benefits, such as competitive salaries, comprehensive health and life insurance, solid retirement plans, paid time off, and chances for career growth and training.
When it comes to pay, forest firefighters in the U.S. Forest Service earn a competitive salary that matches their experience and skills. The exact amount can depend on various factors like their location, rank, and years of service.
As for health and life insurance, all U.S. Forest Service employees, including forest firefighters, qualify for extensive health insurance coverage. This could encompass medical, dental, and vision plans. Plus, they may also be eligible for life insurance coverage, providing financial safety for their loved ones.
Forest firefighters usually have access to retirement plans such as the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). These plans offer a stable income source during their golden years.
In terms of time off, forest firefighters generally get paid time off, which includes vacation days, sick leave, and holidays. This means they can enjoy a break from work while still earning their usual pay.
The U.S. Forest Service also offers career growth opportunities through promotions and professional development. Forest firefighters can take advantage of specialized training programs to improve their firefighting techniques, leadership skills, and emergency response capabilities.
Besides these benefits, forest firefighters might also qualify for other perks like tuition assistance for further education, flexible work schedules, and access to employee assistance programs.
In a nutshell, the U.S. Forest Service's benefits package for forest firefighters aims to attract and keep skilled staff by offering them financial stability, healthcare coverage, and opportunities for personal and professional development.
Here are the top 3 authoritative references I used:
1. USDA Forest Service: This is the official website of the USDA Forest Service, where you can find detailed information about employment benefits for forest firefighters and other employees.
2. Federal Employee Benefits: This reliable source provides comprehensive insights into the benefits available to federal employees, including those working in agencies like the U.S. Forest Service.
3. National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): NIFC offers valuable resources related to wildland firefighting careers and benefits available to firefighters working within federal agencies.
These sources helped ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided about the benefits received by forest firefighters in the U.S. Forest Service.
May you be blessed abundantly!
James.