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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Part of Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security, in the Emergency and Fire Management Services pathway.

Bright outlookJob zone 3: medium preparationO*NET 33-2022.00

What the work is

Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.

On a typical day

  • Relay messages about emergencies, accidents, locations of crew and personnel, and fire hazard conditions.
  • Direct crews working on firelines during forest fires.
  • Estimate sizes and characteristics of fires, and report findings to base camps by radio or telephone.
  • Administer regulations regarding sanitation, fire prevention, violation corrections, and related forest regulations.
  • Extinguish smaller fires with portable extinguishers, shovels, and axes.
  • Locate forest fires on area maps, using azimuth sighters and known landmarks.

What it pays

$56,870
Median pay per year, United States (no San Antonio figure published)
New workers start near $35,420
Experienced workers reach $105,460
  1. $35k10th
  2. $44k25th
  3. $57kMedian
  4. $82k75th
  5. $105k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $35,420, 25th $43,760, Median $56,870, 75th $81,500, 90th $105,460

Job outlook

U.S. projection, 2024 to 2034.

+15%

U.S. employment change

300

openings a year nationwide, from growth and people leaving

2,900

employed nationwide in 2024

Typical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent · Experience: Less than 5 years · Training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Critical Thinking3.9
  2. Coordination3.8
  3. Speaking3.4
  4. Active Listening3.3
  5. Judgment and Decision Making3.3
  6. Complex Problem Solving3.3
  7. Monitoring3.4
  8. Instructing3.0

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less32%
  2. Certificate9%
  3. Some college18%
  4. Associate degree18%
  5. Bachelor's degree24%

Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • San Antonio
  1. Fire Academy

    Degree · Certificate · Online option · Public Service

  2. Fire Science

    Degree · Certificate · Online option · Public Service

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