ACT Parks and Conservation now recruiting seasonal firefighters

ACT Parks and Conservation is recruiting up to 18 new seasonal firefighters for next summer's bush fire season - but it's not a job for the faint-hearted.

New recruits will learn to help fight fires in remote areas of the ACT, build fire breaks and manage fire trails.

They'll be taught how to operate a chainsaw and four-wheel-drive through rough terrain (in the fire trucks if you have your truck licence).

That's if you manage to survive the fitness test - which you have to complete in less than 45 minutes.

"If you can get through that, it's probably the hardest thing you'll do in the season," Kirsten Tasker, leading hand with the Stromlo bushfire operations crew, said.

She started with ACT Parks as a seasonal firefighter in 2011 and said the job is a great stepping stone if you want to work in the agency.

"Summer's our busiest period and we need extra hands on deck pretty much," Ms Tasker said.

"We need to get them in early so we can train them in basic firefighting skills, chainsaw, four-wheel-driving, all the skills they'll need for each summer."

The job will run for about 10 months, starting in September, and includes about a month's worth of training.

The last batch of seasonal firefighters helped fight the massive blazes at Sutton and Carwoola last summer.

Rocky Simachila has worked four seasons as an ACT Parks firefighter and said there was never a dull moment.

"If you really love nature, this is the way to see it," Mr Simachila said.

Planning and land management minister Mick Gentleman said almost half of last year's seasonal firefighters still worked in the fire management team.