Lead Wildland Firefighter (Smokejumper)

Full Job Description

These positions will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit.

Responsibilities include parachuting into rugged terrain to suppress wildfires; and serve as a team leader over smokejumper operations as well as perform other fire support functions.

See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION for Regional contacts. 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.

Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GW-07 level: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the (GW-06) grade level in the Federal Service.

Examples of Specialized Experience: Performed many technical specializations such as parachute rigging and repair, parachute maneuvering and tree climbing, in support of fire management activities independently; Practiced methods and procedures associated with wildfire suppression to resolve a full range of irregular or problem situations when suppressing wildland fires; Served as a member of a smokejumper crew that parachutes into rugged terrain for fire management purposes.

Smokejumper duties present unusual hazards and require that personnel be in excellent physical condition and possess a high degree of emotional stability and mental alertness.

The health of individuals must be such that they have the capacity to meet demands for performance in the position and for human reliability.

Before entrance on duty, and periodically during employment, smokejumpers must undergo a medical exam, physical conditioning, and an adeptness test.

Failure to meet any of the required standards will be considered disqualifying for employment or a basis of termination.

See Medical Requirements for Smokejumper Positions During the training period, incumbents are continually evaluated on their ability to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in various aspects of parachute jumping and smokejumper-related tasks, including aircraft exit procedures, parachute landing falls, parachute maneuvering, timber let-down procedures, parachute and cargo retrieving, tree climbing, and chainsaw and hand tool use.

Incumbents who cannot perform up to the required standards of proficiency will be terminated from the smokejumper program.

Smokejumpers must perform safely and efficiently in extreme temperatures and weather conditions, often with severe smoke and dust.

Terrain may be extremely steep, uneven, rocky, and covered with thick tangled vegetation. Conditions riding in aircraft may be hot, cramped, and extremely turbulent, which may promote airsickness.

The hazardous nature of the work requires that protective clothing (jump suit, helmet, boots, gloves, fire resistant clothing, etc.) be worn and protective equipment, including fire shelters, be carried.

Selective Placement Factors: Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement -OR-currently occupy a permanent position with primary fire fighter retirement coverage.

For those who do not currently occupy a permanent Federal position covered under primary fire fighter retirement, you must be under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position; or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and requesting a waiver to the requirement.

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 primary/rigorous position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System.

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 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. Major Duties:

• Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-07 level.
• Serves as a highly trained and skilled team leader of a parachuting fire suppression squad, which jumps over forest and mountainous terrain landing in timber, open, or on rough ground.
• Performs as an Initial Attack Commander responsible for leading a squad of three to seven personnel in wildland suppression activities. Anticipates fire behavior, determines strategy and tactics, and directs on-line activities.
• Directs and coordinates all types of related aircraft, fireline personnel and equipment.
• Leads other crew members in all applicable smokejumper duties including parachute rigging and repair, paracargo rigging, aircraft loading, sewing and manufacturing, equipment maintenance and other duties which support the smokejumper program.
• Makes parachute jumps from aircraft under a variety of elevation, wind, terrain and ground hazard conditions.
• Works with helicopters on fires and applies the principles of proper risk management for helispot construction, internal loading, and external loading of cargo.