Occupation · SOC 33-2022
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.
Median wage
$52,380
$33,590–$100,450
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
2,780
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
288 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingCoordinationSpeakingActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingMonitoringInstructing
Knowledge areas
Administration and ManagementCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingPersonnel and Human ResourcesPublic Safety and Security
Technology & tools
Cloud-based management softwareData base user interface and query softwareExpert system softwareApplication server softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP software
Representative tasks
Relay messages about emergencies, accidents, locations of crew and personnel, and fire hazard conditions.Conduct wildland firefighting training.Estimate sizes and characteristics of fires, and report findings to base camps by radio or telephone.Direct crews working on firelines during forest fires.Locate forest fires on area maps, using azimuth sighters and known landmarks.Extinguish smaller fires with portable extinguishers, shovels, and axes.Patrol assigned areas, looking for forest fires, hazardous conditions, and weather phenomena.Compile and report meteorological data, such as temperature, relative humidity, wind direction and velocity, and types of cloud formations.Examine and inventory firefighting equipment, such as axes, fire hoses, shovels, pumps, buckets, and fire extinguishers, to determine amount and condition.Educate the public about fire safety and prevention.Direct maintenance and repair of firefighting equipment, or requisition new equipment.Maintain records and logbooks.Administer regulations regarding sanitation, fire prevention, violation corrections, and related forest regulations.Restrict public access and recreational use of forest lands during critical fire seasons.Inspect camp sites to ensure that campers are in compliance with forest use regulations.Inspect forest tracts and logging areas for fire hazards such as accumulated wastes or mishandling of combustibles, and recommend appropriate fire prevention measures.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Radio and telephone communication protocols — follow to relay messages about emergencies, accidents, and fire hazard conditions under supervisor direction at a field station.Assigned patrol routes — complete on foot or by vehicle to identify visible signs of forest fires and hazardous conditions with guidance from a senior specialist.Portable fire extinguishers, shovels, and axes — operate under direct supervision to extinguish small, contained fires in a wildland setting.Area maps and azimuth sighters — use with instructor guidance to practice locating known landmarks and approximate fire positions during training exercises.Basic meteorological data — collect and record observations such as temperature, relative humidity, and wind direction following a standardized field checklist.Fire size and spread characteristics — recognize common visual indicators and verbally describe initial observations to a supervising inspector at the incident site.Public safety and fire prevention regulations — read and summarize applicable sections with support from a senior specialist to build foundational knowledge.Incident reporting forms — complete accurately under direction after observing or responding to a minor fire or hazardous condition on patrol.Cloud formation types and weather phenomena — identify standard categories using reference materials while logging field observations during a patrol shift.Wildland firefighting training materials — assist a lead trainer in preparing handouts and setup tasks for entry-level safety orientation sessions.
developing
Emergency and crew-status messages — relay independently and accurately via radio and telephone during active wildland fire incidents across an assigned district.Patrol assignments — execute routinely across varied terrain, identifying fire risks, hazardous fuel accumulations, and changing weather conditions with minimal oversight.Portable suppression tools — deploy effectively to extinguish small fires and establish control lines, applying learned techniques in familiar wildland environments.Fire location and size — estimate and report to base camp via radio, using azimuth sighters and topographic maps to provide actionable situational data.Meteorological field data — compile and submit structured reports on temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and cloud conditions following agency protocols.Fireline crew tasks — coordinate and monitor small crews performing assigned suppression activities under the direction of a lead inspector during active incidents.Wildland fire prevention training sessions — co-facilitate for seasonal staff and volunteers, delivering prepared curricula on safety procedures and hazard recognition.Incident and patrol logs — write clear, accurate written reports documenting observations, actions taken, and resource use for agency records and after-action review.Cloud-based fire management software — use to retrieve incident data, update patrol records, and query fire history databases as part of routine fieldwork.Critical fire weather windows — monitor forecast data and apply judgment to adjust patrol intensity and alert supervisors when threshold conditions are approached.
proficient
Multi-agency communication networks — manage radio and telephone coordination autonomously during complex wildland fire incidents spanning multiple crews and jurisdictions.Wildland firefighting training programs — design and deliver comprehensive instruction covering fireline tactics, tool use, and safety for new and seasonal prevention specialists.Fire mapping and location analysis — apply azimuth sighting, landmark triangulation, and digital map creation software independently to produce accurate real-time fire perimeter data.Fireline crew operations — direct and supervise crews performing suppression and mop-up tasks, making tactical adjustments in response to shifting fire behavior and terrain.Complex meteorological patterns — analyze field-collected and forecast data to assess evolving fire weather risks and brief incident commanders on critical findings.Non-routine fire suppression scenarios — apply advanced problem-solving to contain fires in challenging terrain or weather conditions, selecting appropriate tools and strategies.Prevention inspection reports — produce thorough written assessments of hazardous conditions in the wildland-urban interface, citing applicable law and recommending corrective action.Personnel resource management — allocate crew assignments, manage work-rest cycles, and track field personnel locations across an active incident to maintain operational safety.Expert fire behavior modeling systems — interpret outputs and integrate results into patrol planning and resource deployment decisions during high-risk fire seasons.After-action reviews — lead structured debriefs following incidents, identifying performance gaps and translating lessons learned into updated field protocols and training content.
advanced
District-wide fire prevention strategy — develop and implement multi-year inspection, patrol, and public education plans aligned with agency priorities and landscape-level risk data.Wildland fire training curriculum — establish occupational standards and certification pathways for prevention specialists, overseeing curriculum design and instructor qualification across the organization.Interagency coordination frameworks — lead collaborative planning with federal, state, and local partners to align communication protocols, resource sharing, and unified command structures.Fire risk policy and regulation — advise agency leadership and government bodies on updates to public safety codes, prevention ordinances, and land management standards.Organizational meteorological data systems — oversee integration of weather monitoring technology and enterprise data platforms to enhance real-time fire danger assessment capability.Large-incident command support — serve as principal fire prevention advisor during complex, extended-attack incidents, directing suppression priorities and personnel resource deployment at scale.Agency-wide personnel development — mentor senior specialists and supervisors, building a pipeline of qualified prevention professionals through structured coaching and succession planning.Performance monitoring and accountability — establish metrics, conduct program-level evaluations, and report outcomes to executive leadership to drive continuous improvement in prevention operations.Public and stakeholder communication — represent the agency in high-visibility forums, translating complex fire risk data into persuasive messaging for community leaders, media, and elected officials.Technology and innovation adoption — evaluate emerging cloud-based management platforms, expert systems, and mapping tools, leading organization-wide implementation to modernize prevention and suppression operations.
Also known as
39 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Forest PatrolmanFire Tower KeeperFire Range TechnicianExpeditionary Firefighting and Rescue (EFR) Specialist (Marine Corps 7051)Firefighter (Army 12M)Wildfire Prevention SpecialistFire Protection (Air Force 3E7X1)Fire Management OfficerFire Prevention TechnicianFire Prevention OfficerFire Operations ForesterForest Fire OfficerFire WatcherTowermanForest OfficerTower WatchmanShore Base Airport and Aircraft Firefighter (Navy 786B)Fire WardenFire ObserverFire Protection Journeyman (Air Force 3E751)Forest Fire Control OfficerFire Protection Manager (Air Force 3E700)Look Out Tower Fire WatcherFire Protection Helper (Air Force 3E711)Wildland Fire Operations SpecialistFire Protection Craftsman (Air Force 3E771)Fire Management TechnicianDistrict RangerRange ExaminerWildland FirefighterFire RangerEnvironmental Protection Fire Control OfficerWildfire Mitigation SpecialistForestry PatrolmanFire TechnicianFire Protection Superintendent (Air Force 3E791)Fire Protection Apprentice (Air Force 3E731)Fire LookoutCrash and Salvage Fire Fighter (Navy 001250)