Also called: Inmate Fire Crew Captain, Fire Crew Supervisor (Corrections)
Leads a hand crew of incarcerated firefighters, training them and supervising them on the fireline during California wildfires.
These captains live part of the week at a conservation camp, run training and fitness, and drive the crew to fires where they cut firelines with chainsaws and hand tools for 24-hour shifts. Between fires the crew clears brush and works on park projects. Some former crew members go on to become professional firefighters.
State fire agency pay plus big overtime in fire season. Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 6 years after high school. Several years as a wildland firefighter, then promotion to fire captain; special training to supervise incarcerated crews.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Fire Science, Forestry, Criminal Justice.
Shrinking. Fewer incarcerated firefighters as prison populations shrink (approx.).
Low risk for 10 years. Leading a hand crew on a wildfire stays hands-on and human.
Classes: Physical education, Earth science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-1021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.