Job: Wildland Firefighter

• Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-11 level.
• Plans work to be accomplished, sets and adjusts short-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Provides leadership in the fire safety program in a doctrinal principles based approach.
• Directs a fire management program with a high complexity level. Serves as a member of the district/zone Leadership Team, which is responsible for coordination and development of overall long-range district/zone planning.
• Coordinates fuels management plans and activities with other districts programs and objectives. Coordinates with other functional programs to provide the workforce necessary to accomplish a variety of district/zone projects.
• Ensures that the fuels management program is consistent with ecosystem management principles and land use plans and is applied on a landscape basis.
• Monitors fire season severity predictions, fire behavior, and fire activity levels and takes appropriate actions to ensure safe, efficient and effective operations.
• Directs all aspects of the district/zones fire, fuels and aviation management program.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Secondary Coverage: Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
• Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
• Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver's license; a commercial driver's license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination.
• There may be additional Conditions of Employment not listed here, however applicants will be notified of any specific requirements at the time a tentative job offer is made.
• Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GW-09: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-7); OR two full years (36 semester/54 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level education or master's degree if the coursework is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture); OR combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position (in excess of 18 semester/27 quarter hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

Specialized experience is defined as: Assisting with a component of a wildland and/or prescribed fire management program. Assisting in implementing a partial fire program budget taking into consideration changing priorities. Assisting in implementing agreements with cooperators. Establishing relationships with entities external to the organization regarding fire issues.

For the GW-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-9); OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., (coursework must be directly related to the position being filled such as forestry, range management, agriculture); OR an appropriate combination of specialized experienced and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester/54 quarter hours leading to a Ph.D.). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Specialized experience is defined as: Managing a component of a wildland and/or prescribed fire management program. Assisting in developing, coordinating and implementing a partial fire program budget. Implementing agreements with cooperators and maintaining relationships with entities external to the organization regarding fire management program issues. Managing strategies for a moderate to high complexity wildland fire suppression or prescribed fire organization utilizing agency policies, guidelines and procedures.

Selective Placement Factors:
Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Division Group Supervisor (DIVS) and Successfully completed the Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) OR Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2)
OR
Primary NWCG Core Requirements of Air Support Group Supervisor (ASGS) and Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3).

Successfully completed the NWCG Course # M-581 Fire Program Management.

Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) and Forest Service - Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) qualifications must be met by the time of selection. Most recent IQCS master record and/or signed Agency Certified task book must be attached to your application. If you are selected, you may be required to submit an updated IQCS master record or signed Agency Certified task book as proof of attainment of IFPM requirements prior to a final verbal offer.

In order to be considered for this position, copies of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training documents) which contain documented proof of the certification or attainment of the IFPM Selective Placement Factor for this position MUST be attached to your application. Red cards are not acceptable documentation. Currency Requirement: Required to maintain currency once hired into the position. Currency of NWCG qualifications is not required for selection. If not currently qualified, the applicant must provide documented evidence that they have been fully qualified in the past, and are able to regain currency within one year of being hired. Failure to provide this documentation will result in disqualification.

This position has been identified as HIGH Complexity under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) or Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) and is subject to selective placement factor requirements contained in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard and Guide when filling this vacancy. IFPM or FS-FPM selective placement factors are made up of a primary and secondary National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) core Incident Management Qualifications and Required Training. The applicant must possess these qualifications at the applicable complexity level to be considered eligible for this position.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336 (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history.

WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS, MODERATE, or LIGHT level is a condition of employment.

To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.