Wildland Firefighter (District/Zone Assistant Fire Management Officer Moderate Complexity)

Full Job Description

These positions will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit. The primary purpose of this position is to perform wildland firefighting work and to lead crews performing such work.

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. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GW-08: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to (GW-07) grade level in the Federal Service; OR two full years (36 semester/54 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level education or master's degree if the coursework is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture); OR combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position (in excess of 18 semester/27 quarter hours) and specialized experience.

The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

Examples of specialized experience may include: Assisted in developing fire control plans and documents relating to fire pre-suppression, prevention, detection, and suppression tactics and strategies and/or Prepared fuels hazard and wildland fire risk assessments and/or Assisted in coordinating and executing wildland fire suppression and prescribed burning operations.

For the GW-09: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to a (GW-08) in the Federal Service; OR two full years (36 semester/54 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level education or master's degree if the coursework is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture); OR combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position (in excess of 18 semester/27 quarter hours) and specialized experience.

The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university Examples of specialized experience may include: Assisted in managing a broad range of fire programs such as preparedness, prevention, prescribed burning, monitoring, and hazardous fuels reduction and/or Assisted in writing and executing wildland fire management plans, prescribed burn plans, and preparedness plans and/or Assisted in determining annual pre-suppression and suppression needs.

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

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 MODERATE 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.

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 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, 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-09 level.
• Performs, and supervises employees in, fire prevention, preparedness, detection, resource rehabilitation, mobilization, prescribed fire, aviation operations, and training programs.
• Conducts field reconnaissance of proposed prescribed burn units, makes recommendations on appropriate treatment techniques for meeting management objectives.
• Drafts prescribed burn plans to meet those objectives and implements approved prescribed burn plans.
• Provides oversight during initial and extended attack fires, and directs fireline activities and tactics of dispersed firefighters, resources, equipment, and aircraft.
• Coordinates with dispatch office regarding current fire behavior and fire conditions, release of resources, and other logistical considerations.