Wildland Firefighting

There is no better time to consider a career in wildland firefighting and natural resource management. It is estimated that over the next 5 years 40-50% of the federal and state workforce will be eligible to retire. As they leave, a new generation of employees needs to be trained and ready to take over.

 Careers in wildland firefighting and natural resource management usually start out as seasonal positions with the state and federal agencies and private companies. It generally takes 2-3 years of seasonal work to gain enough experience to qualify for full time positions. Many firefighters work in timber, recreation or wildlife management in the winter months.

Itasca Community Colleges partnership with the federal and state firefighting agencies has been very successful in placing students into internships.

To date ICC students have been hired by the following agencies: 

-75 students have been hired by the U.S. Forest Service in Minnesota, Colorado, California, New Mexico, Montana, Alaska, Oregon and Wyoming.

-24 students have been hired by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

-8 students have been hired by the National Park Service at Voyageurs National Park

-5 students have been hired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

-5 students have worked on Forest Service Hot Shot crews

-4 students have worked for private fire suppression contractors