Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Engine Captain)

Full Job Description

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource.

We expect to fill (5) five vacancies at this time for any of the following locations: Apple Valley, CA Banning, CA Ridgecrest, CA Riverside, CA Yucca Valley, CA This is a Direct-Hire advertisement.

Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/#url=Fact-Sheet

Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element.

Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factors will be rated not qualified.

This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard.

This position has been categorized as a Supervisory Fire Engine Operator (SEOP) and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position.

Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at http://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/ This position is subject to the lnteragency Fire Program (IFPM) Standard and Guide selective placement factors.

This position requires the following qualifications - Currency Not Required: Engine Boss (ENGB) and, Incident Command Type 5 (ICT5) and, S-211 Portable Pumps & Water Use Commercial Driver's License: You must possess or be able to obtain within one year of employment a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Class A or B endorsement.

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume.

No assumptions will be made about your experience.

Specialized Experience Requirements: (1) one full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GW-7 grade level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: 1) on-the-line wildland fire experience as a lead firefighter or supervisor managing resources, equipment, and tools directly related to the suppression of wildfires; 2) leading an engine module in response to wildland fire incidents; and/or 3) determining suppression method to use including hose lay types, deployment of crew, point of initial attack, types of tools to use, and application of water and handline location and standards.

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. Wildland fire is defined as any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland.

Two distinct types of wildland fire have been defined and include wildfire and prescribed fire: Wildfire - An unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires.

Prescribed Fire - Planned ignitions. This description includes only fire line experience on a Prescribed Fire; it does not include experience in the planning stages.

Prescribed fire experience must be supplemented by fire suppression experience in order to be creditable as previous wildland firefighting experience.

This is a primary firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c)(CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). The position is subject to maximum entry age (MEA) requirements.

The maximum entry-age for this position shall not exceed age 37 unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian firefighter experience or you are a preference eligible veteran.

If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday.

You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement.

Failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement.

If over the MEA and you are not a veteran, proof of prior covered service must be submitted prior to employment.

Acceptable proof consists of SF-50s showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable appointments and copies of approved letters based on individual claims.

Physical Demands: Arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity.

Work Environment: Forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc.

Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing.

Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material.

Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor bivouac and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances.

Firefighters may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time.

The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (e.g., boots, hard hat, gloves, flame resistant clothing).

Work may require travel by fixed- wing or rotor-wing aircraft.

Major Duties:

• Mentors and instructs lower graded crewmembers.
• Applies an understanding of firefighter safety, fire behavior, topography, weather, fuels, and training in fire management.
• Plans action and directs utilization of fireline resources.
• Directs assigned suppression operations and recommend and implement tactical strategies.
• Adjusts actions based on changing information and evolving situational awareness.
• Observes, collects, and records fire-related data.
• Directs the operation and use of special tools and equipment.
• Directs and ensures proper assembly of equipment and supplies.
• Assists in the development and implementation of training programs (mandatory, formal, and informal).
• Directs moderately complex fuels management projects and/or participates or leads in fire prevention promotional activities.
• Exercises lead duties over a fire engine crew.
• Assists with managing assigned property.