The Siskiyou Rappel Crew is looking for motivated, physically fit candidates who can work well both independently and in a team environment. We are comprised of a group of highly trained wildland firefighters that are aerially inserted into remote areas to conduct initial attack and extended attack operations that threaten life and property. We provide qualified personnel to the U.S. Forest Service Rappel Bases throughout the season, as well as skilled members to overhead management teams on large fires and prescribed fire assignments. Rappelling requires a high level of personal motivation, individual responsibility and initiative. Being physically and mentally fit is not a recommendation; it is paramount to our success as a professional firefighting organization.

The Selection Process:


Each season, the Siskiyou Rappel Crew seeks quality employees to fill crew member positions for duty as aerial delivered wildland firefighters. Before being considered for a position, applicants must meet these basic minimum requirements: be 18 years of age at time of hire, provide proof of U.S. Citizenship, have at least one season (3 months or more) of experience where their primary duty was as a wildland firefighter, and complete the Work Capacity Test (WCT) within the specified time for arduous duty. Qualifications beyond basic wildland firefighter, such as FFT1, ICT5, CFAL, EMT, etc., are not required but are desirable. Previous recreational rappel experience is not required nor is it advantageous.
Occasionally, one or more of the permanent positions on the crew becomes available. These positions are targeted for experienced helicopter crewmembers with a background in fire management and aviation..

Pay Scale:


Most crew members qualify as a GS-462-4 with an hourly wage of approximately $12.14. Overtime is paid for duty over 8 hours in a day at a rate of 1.5 times the base wage. For hazardous duty (which includes fire suppression activities, low level recon, and a variety of other helicopter related operations) employees are compensated an additional 25% of their base wage for all hours worked during that day. The Siskiyou Rappel Crew averages approximately 600 hours of overtime each fire season.

How To Apply:


For information regarding:
Go to the following website:
or go straight to the Helitack job listings:

Be sure to mark "Merlin, Oregon" as your Location Preference
Temporary Seasonal Positions: Permanent Positions (for applicants who ARE already permanent employees of the federal government):
Permanent Positions (for applicants who ARE NOT already permanent employees of the federal government):
Job offers for temporary, detail and apprentice positions are typically made in January or February. Offers for permanent positions could occur at any time.

If you have any questions regarding the job description, application process or web site, please feel free to contact us.
Due to the volume of applications you are also highly encouraged to stop by the base which is located at the Grants Pass Airport:


Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Siskiyou Rappel Crew
657 Flaming Road
Grants Pass, Oregon 97526