Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch) - Direct Hire Authority

Full Job Description

This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement.

Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. These positions are located in, Elko, and Winnemucca, NV.

Information can be found by clicking on the locations listed. We expect to fill 2 vacancies at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

Specialized Experience Requirements: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement(s); please be sure to include this information in your resume.

No assumptions will be made about your experience. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled.

To qualify for the GW/GS-06 grade level, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GW/GS-05 is required.

Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: performing wildland fire dispatch duties such as: receiving and reviewing fire incident reports; working with wildland fire dispatch computer programs; and determining fire resource needs.

To qualify for the GW/GS-07 grade level, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GW/GS-06 is required.

Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: performing lead wildland fire dispatch duties such as: performing and directing others in wildland fire dispatch office functions; providing incident logistical support information, and making recommendations for efficient use of available resources; and determining appropriate resource responses to incidents.

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.

Substitution of Education for Experience: GW/GS-06 and GW/GS-07: Must have completed 1 full year (18 semester hours) of graduate education which is DIRECTLY related to work of the position OR an equivalent combination of specialized experience and education.

*You must meet all qualification by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Demands: The work involves long hours of sitting, intense concentration, and working at peak proficiency/intensity levels with irregular breaks and mealtimes.

The duties of this position create a highly stressful environment during peak activity, requiring the ability to keep calm in emergency situations.

Must be able to cope with the pressure of meeting timeframes and changing priorities. Mental concentration and accuracy are required. Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in an office setting.

During peak activity, increased radio traffic, numerous ringing phones, and conversations result in high noise levels, which require a high level of concentration to perform duties.

This creates a high stress work environment. This is a secondary/administrative firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS).

While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age policy, the selectee must have prior service in a primary position (3 years of service in primary/rigorous position(s)) and meet the transfer requirement for movement from a primary to secondary position to be eligible for special retirement coverage.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your SF-50).

YOU MUST LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN A PRIMARY POSITION. FACT SHEET for Fire Positions: Information on Special Retirement.

Major Duties:

• Determine appropriate resource response to incidents and requests from the field.
• Coordinate aviation dispatch operations.
• Process and interpret weather information.
• Anticipate fire suppression needs and determine resource allocation.
• Operate and/or direct the operations of various dispatch telecommunications systems and input data into fire-related computer applications.
• Review internal operating procedures and systems, make recommendations for improvement, and update/develop operating plans and mobilization guides.
• Perform and direct others in receiving fire reports, determining locations, land status, and current fire information.