Fresh Listing

Posted: January 13, 2026 (2 days ago)

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Assistant Director FAM (Operations)

Forest Service

Department of Agriculture

Fresh

Location

Salary

$112,824 - $168,420

per year

Closes

January 22, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job involves assisting the Director of Aviation and Fire Management by planning, organizing, and leading wildfire protection efforts across multiple regions, including fire detection, readiness, coordination, and resource management during emergencies.

It's ideal for experienced wildfire professionals who have led fire programs, managed budgets, and handled high-stakes operations in natural resource agencies.

Candidates should have a strong background in firefighting and federal government service to thrive in this leadership role.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience at GW-12 level (for GW-13) or GW-13 level (for GW-14), including planning complex fire management systems and developing staffing standards
  • Prior wildland firefighting experience required, as this is a secondary firefighter position with retirement coverage
  • Ability to coordinate and direct fire programs during critical situations, establishing priorities for firefighting resources
  • Experience developing, coordinating, and implementing full fire program budgets while managing funds amid changing priorities
  • Meet time-in-grade requirements: 52 weeks at the next lower grade level if current federal employee
  • Provide evidence of all qualifying experience, including paid, unpaid, or volunteer work, by the closing date

Full Job Description

This position is location negotiable within Region 9 and Region 8.

The position serves as a principal Assistant to the Director of Aviation and Fire Management with primary responsibility for planning, organizing and directing Region-wide activities in wildland fire protection systems, including fire detection, readiness, preparation, coordination, incident organization, and management of activities within the Region.

See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Section for location representative details.

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 Wildland Fire Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements.

Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GW-13: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-12 grade level.

Examples of specialized experience: Prepared detailed plans, goals, objectives, requirements and criteria for complex or high value management processes and systems such as developing staffing standards for all aspects of wildland fire program functions.

Coordinated and directed programs during critical fire situations establishing priorities for all firefighting resources. Developing, coordinating and implementing a full fire program budget.

Effectively managing and utilizing available dollars taking into consideration changing priorities.

For the GW-14: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-13 grade level.

Examples of specialized experience: Prepared detailed plans, goals, objectives, requirements and criteria for complex or high value management processes and systems such as developing staffing standards for all aspects of wildland fire program functions.

Coordinated and directed programs during critical fire situations establishing priorities for all firefighting resources. Developing, coordinating and implementing a full fire program budget.

Effectively managing and utilizing available dollars taking into consideration changing priorities.

Selective Placement Factors 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.

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.

TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

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

Promotion Potential: Positions may be filled as career ladders or could be filled at the full performance level dependent upon the individual units needs.

If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management.

However, promotion is not guaranteed. Major Duties:

  • Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-14 level.
  • Perform administrative and human resources management functions for the unit such as providing advice, counsel or instruction on both administrative and work matters.
  • Establish and communicate guidelines and performance requirements to employees including conducting formal performance reviews and identifying developmental and training needs of employees.
  • Plan the work to be accomplished by the unit by assigning work to employees and establishing production or quality standards for the unit’s work.
  • Serve as principal assistant to the director for region-wide activities in wildland fire protection systems (e.g. fire detection, readiness, preparation, coordination, incident organization).
  • Direct the formulation of standards, methods, and guides for a highly complex fire operations program.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/13/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/13/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 26-FIRE-P2VA-ADFAMOP-1314G