Supervisory Fire Management Specialist (Prescribed Fire and Fuels)

Full Job Description

These positions are located on a USDA Forest Service Unit.

The incumbent serves in a key fire management position in a field fire management organization as a Fire Management Specialist responsibility for prescribed fire, fire planning, fuels management, air quality (and smoke management), and current and out year budgeting.

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 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.

Basic Requirement 0401 Series: Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry, or related discipline appropriate to the position being filled.

-OR- Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below.

Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GW-11 Level: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GW-09 in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as: assisted in reviewing and evaluating fire management plans for ecological soundness and technical adequacy; assisted in conducting field inspections before and after prescribed or wildland fires to determine if resource objectives were achieved and/or to evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken; and assisted in developing analyses on the ecological role of fire and its use and/or exclusion, and smoke management.

-OR- 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled such as biological sciences, botany, ecology, horticulture, climate sciences, natural resource management); -OR- An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.).

For the GW-12 Level: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GW-11 level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as: reviewed and evaluated fire management plans for ecological soundness and technical adequacy; conducted field inspections before and after prescribed or wildland fires to determine if resource objectives were achieved and/or to evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken; and developed analyses on the ecological role of fire and its use and/or exclusion, and smoke management.

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.

Selective Placement Factors Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirements of Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2) -AND- Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) or Task Force Leader (TFLD) -OR- Primary NWCG Core Requirements of Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2) and Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Helibase Manager (HEBM).

Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) and Forest Service - Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) qualifications must be met by the time of selection.

Most recent IQCS master record and/or signed Agency Certified task book must be attached to your application.

If you are selected, you may be required to submit an updated IQCS master record or signed Agency Certified task book as proof of attainment of IFPM requirements prior to a final verbal offer.

In order to be considered for this position, copies of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training documents) which contain documented proof of the certification or attainment of the IFPM Selective Placement Factor for this position MUST be attached to your application.

Red cards are not acceptable documentation. Currency Requirement: Required to maintain currency once hired into the position. Currency of NWCG qualifications is not required for selection.

If not currently qualified, the applicant must provide documented evidence that they have been fully qualified in the past, and are able to regain currency within one year of being hired.

Failure to provide this documentation will result in disqualification.

This position has been identified as HIGH Complexity under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) or Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) and is subject to selective placement factor requirements contained in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard and Guide when filling this vacancy.

IFPM or FS-FPM selective placement factors are made up of a primary and secondary National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) core Incident Management Qualifications and Required Training.

The applicant must possess these qualifications at the applicable complexity level to be considered eligible for this position.

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.

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, MODERATE, or LIGHT 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-12.
• Provides program oversight and guidance related to the use of prescribed fire and naturally ignited wildfires to achieve Land and Resource Management Plan objectives.
• Responsible for the smoke management program to ensure compliance with state air quality standards. Coordinates with federal, state, and local government air quality officials in their development of operational procedures and reporting.
• Evaluates fuel treatments on-the-ground for compliance with policies, standards, and guidelines. Provides advice, counsel, and guidance to field personnel on correct procedures and practices.
• Develops local policy, standards, and guidelines for the Forest's Fuel Management Program, including aspects in environmental assessments, prescribed burning plans, fuel treatment standards, inventories, and smoke management.
• Reviews environmental documents, prescribed fire plans, and fire management plans of other agencies and stakeholders which will affect the unit.
• Implements and administers prescribed fire activities, wildfire response, and fuels management activities to ensure targets are achieved, management objectives are met and mitigation measures are adequate.
• Provide leadership in fire management program areas such as contracting, fire planning, aviation, safety, and wildfire response. In the absence of the FMO, may be required to serve as Forest Duty Officer, acting FMO or Fire Staff.