Branch Chief, Operations

Full Job Description

This position is located within the Washington Office Fire and Aviation Management (WO-FAM) and serves as the Deputy Assistant Director for Operations.

The incumbent will provide expert advice/guidance on broad projects for the Wildland Fire Operations Staff Group to meet the cost-effective coordination of national resources in support of wildland fire operations and other emergencies on National Forest System lands, and the lands of cooperating Federal and State agencies and foreign countries.

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. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience Requirement: GW13: Applicants must display one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW12 grade level.

Examples of specialized experience may include: Assisting in formulating policies, plans, and programs necessary for the administration of fire management, aviation management and smoke management; Assisting in coordinating the integration of fire management programs with other programs and interagency partners to achieve goals; Assisting in providing coordination and oversight for large, complex wildland fires and planning prescribed fire management activities.

GW14: Applicants must display one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW13 grade level.

Examples of specialized experience may include: Formulating policies, plans, and programs necessary for the administration of fire management, aviation management, smoke management, state fire assistance, volunteer fire assistance and cooperative forestry; Coordinating the integration of fire management programs with other programs and interagency partners to achieve goals; Providing coordination and oversight for large, complex wildland fires and planning prescribed fire management activities.

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.

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

TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) or Wildland Firefighter (GW) 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. Major Duties:

• The duties listed are at the full performance level GW14.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on broad projects and programs with national impact.
• Recommend long-range program plans, goals, objectives, and milestones, which serve as the basis for substantive changes in the organization and administration of programs affecting large numbers of people.
• Determine appropriate recommendations for unresolved or questionable problems and performs follow-up. Researches and determines or recommends appropriate actions or interpretation of issues that impact the Forest Service.
• Manages and coordinates the collective efforts of FAM Operations that consist of personnel assigned to critical and complex wildland fire operations of national scope, interest, and significance.
• Consults with all levels of management, other federal agencies, and foreign and commercial organizations.
• Coordinates the work efforts of technical personnel in conducting conceptual systems analyses, evaluations, or investigations of highly unstructured and interconnected problems.
• Provides the necessary leadership and coordination in developing and implementing procedures to provide a national fire severity update on a daily basis.