Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)

Full Job Description

This position is located within a National Forest. The position is located on a fire crew as a crewmember within the fire management organization.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a fire dispatcher in support of fire suppression activities.

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.

GW-06: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5). GS-06: There is no substitution of education for this position.

Examples of specialized experience include: Serving as a dispatcher, receiving, filling, and tracking resource requests for fire and other emergency incidents.

Arranging for ground and air transportation of personnel, supplies, and equipment in support of emergency and project activities.

Collecting, processing, and disseminating weather and smoke management information into computer programs or databases.

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.

In accordance with USDA Department Regulation 4430-792-2, this position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the USDA Drug Free Workplace Program and subject to pre-employment drug testing.

All applicants selected for this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Incumbents of this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis on an ongoing random basis, after appointment as directed.

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

• Determines the appropriate response to incidents and requests from the field and independently plans and carries out the procedural and technical tasks involved in the dispatching of personnel, equipment, and/or supplies to suppress wildland fires.
• Resolves the full range of irregular or problem situations in anticipating resource needs for fire suppression activities. Makes recommendations regarding resource orders or anticipated orders.
• Coordinates aviation dispatch operations (e.g., aircraft capabilities and limitations, flight planning, aviation safety).
• Anticipates fire suppression needs and determines resource allocation based upon current wildland fire suppression activity and utilizing prior wildland firefighting experience and training.
• Operates and/or directs the operation of various dispatch telecommunication systems.
• Organizes and reviews completed records of all orders placed and actions taken to ensure adherence to established operating procedures.
• Processes and interprets weather information (e.g., spot weather forecasts, weather station observations, current and forecasted weather, lightning detection, and fuel moisture levels).
• Uses weather information to determine burning indices, preparedness levels and staffing levels for suppression and aviation resources.
• Performs, and directs others, inputting data into a number of fire-related computer applications (e.g., incident qualification records, fire reporting systems, and automated dispatch systems) and makes assessment of outputs.
• Resolves a full range of irregular problem situations encountered when performing highly interrelated, nonstandard assignments pertaining to the fire management program activities.
• Plans and provides critical logistical support information to the supervisor for successful implementation of fire management program activities. Makes recommendations concerning the efficient use of available resources.
• Provides information and consults with cooperators and other interested entities. Records and maintains communication logs. Coordinates and may assist with fire training and orientation.
• Reviews internal operating procedures and systems, makes recommendations for improvement, and updates/develops operating plans and mobilization guides.
• Provides assistance on problems encountered by lower-level dispatch personnel.