Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Fire Management Officer)-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, Las Cruces, NM, and in Farmington, NM or Santa Fe, NM. Information about these locations can be found by clicking on the location name listed.

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-12 grade level, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GW/GS-11) is required.

Examples include but are not limited to: advising high level management officials on fire management planning at the district or field office level or equivalent; reviewing wildland fire preparedness actions and operating plans; coordinating and implementing policy to support wildland fire management programs and operations.

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. There is no substitution of education for experience at the GW-12 and above grade levels.

Selective Placement Factor(s): 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 factor(s) 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 Unit Fire Program Manager- Moderate Complexity 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 here: Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM).

To meet IFPM requirements, you must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required at time of referral, but may be required to obtain and maintain currency if selected): PATHWAY #1 A) Task Force Leader (TFLD); AND B) Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) OR Prescribed Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2) -OR- PATHWAY #2 A) Helibase Manager (HEBM); AND B) Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) To meet additional IFPM training requirements, as a "condition of employment", you must complete the following within one year of the entry on duty date: - Fire Program Management (M-581) **You must meet all qualification and selective placement factor requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

** Physical Demands: Normally the work is sedentary but often requires physical exertion while overseeing fire suppression activities including walking over rough, steep, uneven terrain in all types of weather.

The incumbent is faced with emergency situations at all hours and must respond quickly.

The position may require long shifts or multi-day assignments under primitive living conditions during emergencies.

During the fire season, extended fire assignments away from the unit may be required under very stressful conditions. Work Environment: Although work is generally performed in an office setting.

Field work involves exposure to temperature extremes, both from weather and fire conditions where falling trees and the presence of smoke and/or dust create hazardous conditions.

The nature of fire suppression work requires that protective clothing (boots, hard hats, etc.) be worn during fire assignments.

The incumbent must exercise a variety of safety practices and precautions for the well-being of self and of others.

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:

• Serves as a Fire Management Officer: responsible for directing most phases of a fire management program.
• Provides oversight during initial and extended attack fires and directs fireline activities and tactics.
• Makes a variety of decisions and recommendations related to strategy to be used in managing fires, training needs, fire management standards, work priorities, etc.
• Performs supervisory duties such as assigns work and manages priorities, evaluates work performance, approves developmental and training needs of employees.
• Responsible for long-range fire management planning activities.
• Provides advice and guidance to the unit agency administrator.
• Facilitates collaboration for the development of local/annual operating plans.
• Makes or ensures inspections of the fire management organization and operations for compliance with approved plans, rules, regulations, and standards.
• Plans, coordinates, directs, and participates in training courses for agency personnel, cooperators, and others covering all phases of the fire management program.
• Develops and maintains overall fire management plans for complex fire programs covering a variety of activities.
• Ensures the fuels management program is consistent with ecosystem management principles, land management plans, and evaluates the impacts to air quality standards.