Black Hills National Forest

Tatanka Hotshot Crew

Background

The Black Hills National Forest is home to the Tatanka Hotshots, a Forest Service Hotshot Crew formed in 1999. The crew functions under the standards, guidelines, training, and physical fitness requirements outlined in the Interagency Hotshot Operations Guide. Competition for seasonal firefighting jobs is very intense. We seek highly motivated, dependable applicants in excellent physical condition.

Local Area Information

The crew is based near the town of Custer in the Black Hills of western South Dakota. Custer is located 40 miles southwest of Rapid City, SD. The elevation is 5,318 feet, and the average annual temperature is 48 degrees with a July average of 73 degrees. The average annual rainfall is 18 inches while average snowfall is 38 inches. The population is approximately 6,800 in Custer County and 1,850 in the town of Custer, which is the county seat.

Housing is available for seasonal firefighters at the Tatanka Hotshot Base, located five miles south of Custer. A new barracks facility was completed in winter 2001. Barracks-style rooms with full kitchen facilities are available. Rental homes in Custer range from $350 to $500 per month for an average three-bedroom home. Homes to purchase cost from $65,000 and up.

The community of Custer offers the following services: a library, a post office, a police department, a fire department, city and county offices, 2 radio stations, a weekly newspaper, a clinic, an emergency care clinic, a hospital, a nursing home, 3 doctors, 2 dentists, a volunteer ambulance service, emergency medical technicians, 13 churches, 19 motels, 12 campgrounds, and local retail businesses including 2 grocery stores. Public recreation includes the YMCA, 3 baseball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, a swimming pool, 3 parks, and a 9-hole golf course including junior golf league. In the immediate vicinity one can camp, fish, hike, and hunt.

The nearest commercial airport is in Rapid City, SD, which is a full-service community of 60,000.

Custer has a public school district with one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school, all on a four-day week. Black Hills State University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are within an hours drive.

What Applicants Should Know

The Black Hills National Forest provides firefighters with the best equipment, support, and training possible. Accordingly, we seek only the best people. Those with strong character who are respectful to others and in excellent physical condition are encouraged to apply. A Hotshot Crew is known for its productivity but is defined by its character. As one of more than 70 elite Hotshot Crews in the United States, we seek to be one of the best by providing the most comprehensive and efficient service.

A job on this crew is a commitment. As professional firefighters, we strive to provide the highest quality results through a dependable, straightforward approach. As federal employees, we work for the taxpayers to provide fire protection and resource work on public lands. All must share this commitment to duty and service.

The work is guaranteed to be difficult, exhausting physical labor on a daily basis and can be emotional taxing. Hotshot Crew members frequently come from a background of manual labor, military, and/or extensive athletic training. These experiences provide a good reference when the job calls for reserve and resolve. A positive attitude is essential.

All season the crew will work, eat, and travel together while sharing sleeping areas. Conduct, uniform, and grooming policies are part of the standard operating procedures. Personal travel on days off is restricted by the need to be available for emergency response throughout the fire season. The crew is always "on call," and pagers are provided to facilitate quick response and more personal freedom. While this type of organization may be too regimented for some, this structure is imperative for safety and accountability.

Working as a firefighter on the Tatanka Hotshots provides excellent exposure for those interested in wildland fire and may prove to be a starting point for entry into a career in fire or resource management with the federal land management agencies. The work can be exciting and interesting, with travel to some of the most beautiful areas of the United States. Crew members may be from all regions of the country and from diverse backgrounds. Selection will be made without consideration of ethnicity, gender, religion, politics, marital status, or association with an employee organization. If this work appeals to you or you have questions, please contact Pat Laeng or Brandon Hess at 605/673-5965 or contact the Forest through an email contact form or at 605/673-9200.

Information regarding seasonal employment and available positions can be found on the Employment page. Help in composing an application can also be found at www.usajobs.opm.gov by clicking on the "On-line Application."

Visit the Black Hills National Forest Newsroom for the latest Tatanka Hotshot Press Release.

US Forest Service, Black Hills National Forest
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Last modified November 03, 2008