Wildland Fire Seasonal Helitack Crewmember

Coos Forest Protective Association (CFPA) is currently accepting applications for Seasonal Helitack Crewmember positions for Fire Season 2025. 

ORGANIZATION: Founded in 1910, Coos Forest Protective Association is a private, non-profit corporation with its headquarters located in Coos Bay, Oregon. CFPA has responsibility for providing protection from fires for its membership lands along the Southern Oregon Coast beginning at the California line and extending north through Curry, Coos and western Douglas Counties, terminating at the Lane County line. Under an agreement with the Oregon State Forester, the Association also provides protection to other private, state, county and federal lands through the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) by contract and by ORS Chapters 477 and 526.

The objective of the Coos Forest Protective Association is to minimize the cost of suppression and the damage to the forest and watershed environment caused by wildfire and to respond to all fire control emergencies with an effective, well-trained, equipped and supervised fire control organization sufficient to achieve optimum suppression results.

COMPENSATION: Helitack Crewmember beginning rate of pay is $20.49 to $32.03 per hour and is based on experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for overtime compensation. 

This position qualifies to take advantage of our sick and personal leave benefits. Association retirement and vacation leave are also provided once minimum qualifications are met. Housing may be available during the course of employment.  

Position will become FFT2 (Firefighter Type 2) qualified or FFT1 (Firefighter Type 1) qualified, HECM (Helicopter Crew Member), Federal Wildland Firefighter Qualifications.

DUTIES: Helitack Crew member duties include but are not limited to:

Acting and performing effectively in a team environment to perform initial and extended attack wildland firefighting, fire line construction and mop-up using standard firefighting hand tools, deploying hose lays, operating pumps, and acting as nozzle person and hose person in fire suppression as well as the use of hand tools to clear roadside debris and vegetation in prevention activities. Performs cleaning and maintenance of various items of equipment including the washing of vehicles and aircraft. Painting and maintenance of both District and Unit buildings, grounds and landscaping utilizing various pieces of equipment as assigned. Participates in minor construction and repair projects. Assisting the HMGB or HEBM in performing daily inventory checks and in ensuring operational readiness of helicopter unit, briefing passengers before takeoff as per Incident Response Pocket Guide Helicopter Passenger Briefing checklist, preparing internal and/or external cargo loads and following procedures for loading/unloading, helispot, dipsite, and landing area maintenance, construction, preparation, and management. Helitack Crewmember duties including following all relevant aviation guidelines, following safety and welfare policy and procedures, completing aircraft specific documentation and training, and packing heavy loads of fuel, food, water, and tools long distances to get to a work site may be required. Position will be required to work within established safety and policy guidelines as well as attend District Safety and Training school and follow-up trainings.

Position includes other tasks as assigned including, but not limited to, Co-Op projects including slash burning, brush clearing and parks maintenance. Filling out documents and reports completely and accurately is required.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Working conditions require long hours of arduous physical activity in difficult terrain and in all types of weather with exposure to various hazards including, but not limited to poison oak, bees, smoke, snakes, steep terrain, noise, heat, dust, burning and/or falling materials and other hazards. Passing and maintaining the physical fitness level necessary to effectively perform hard physical labor for extended periods under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions; the pace of work typically is set by the emergency situation. Various shifts including nights, weekends, holidays, and long hours with short notice may be required. Assignments to emergency incidents may require being away from the assigned duty station for extended periods of time.

A current/valid Oregon Driver’s License with a Class “C” or higher, as the operation of 4-wheel drive pickups and larger vehicles in various road conditions and during fire situations is required. Successful candidates for positions that include driving a Company vehicle will be subject to a driving background check with the Department of Motor Vehicles. 

For more information on this position, please see the attached position announcement. All applicants will be screened for interview based upon qualifications and relevant experience.