Wildland Firefighter (Fire Operations Specialist)

Full Job Description

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

This position serves as a technical specialist in the area of fire suppression and fire leadership in support of the unit's initial attack fire suppression effort.

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-08: One of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-07 grade level in the Federal Service.

Examples of specialized experience may include: Performed limited operational projects to address technical fire management problems, such as assisting with the analysis of on-the-ground fuel conditions, weather, and availability of resources to ensure conformance to fire management plans; gathers data for the development of fuel treatment and urban plans; assist in the implementation of the fuels management program; and executes forestry and fire management support work such as monitoring and inspecting timber and reporting on contractor compliance.

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, 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:

• Performs a wide variety of limited operational projects to address a broad range of technical fire management problems.
• Analyzes on-the-ground fuel conditions, weather, and availability of resources to ensure conformance to fire management plans.
• Recommends personnel, equipment, logistics, and communications needs for all aspects of the fire management program.
• Gathers data on the specific type of preparation needed before work begins, and makes recommendations of any changes needed. Sets fire crew work schedules and duty stations.
• Sets fire crew work schedules and duty stations. Develops specific plans for burning projects after analyzing fuels. Develops cost estimates for projects.
• Solves, in collaboration with others, nonstandard technical problems requiring the use of specialized, complicated techniques that pertain to the National Fire Management Analysis System (NFMAS).