Wildland Firefighter (Fire Specialist) - 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: DHA Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. This position is located in Fairbanks, AK.

Information about the surrounding area may be found by clicking on the location name listed.

We expect to fill 4 vacancies at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

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 - please be sure to include this information in your resume.

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-05 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to GS/W-04 is required.

Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: 1) on-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention or suppression work as a skilled wildland firefighter and 2) utilizing a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment.

To qualify for the GW-06 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to GS/W-05 is required.

Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: 1) experience serving as a senior wildland firefighter on a wildland fire module or crew with on-the-line wildland fire experience in fire control, prevention or suppression work, and 2) utilizing and maintaining a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment.

To qualify for the GW-07 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to GS/W-06 is required.

Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: 1) experience serving as a lead wildland firefighter on a wildland fire module or crew with on-the-line wildland fire experience in fire control, prevention or suppression; 2) utilizing and maintaining specialized wildland fire equipment; and 3) assisting with analyzing and predicting fire behavior when responding to wildland fire incidents.

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.

Substitution of Education for Experience: GW-05: Must have a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree, from an accredited college or university, in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology or other related fields.

GW-06/07: There is no education substitution for this position at the GS-06 and GS-07 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.

1.) This position is a Primary Firefighter position and is subject to a maximum entry age (MEA). The MEA is the date immediately preceding your 37th birthday.

Applicants must not have reached age 37 at the time of appointment, unless proof is provided of prior Federal service in another primary covered position, 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 may result in loss of consideration.

Please refer to the Required Documents section for further guidance on what documentation is required to meet this 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.

2) Requirement for the GS-06 and GS-07 grade levels ONLY: 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 Senior Firefighter, 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 www.ifpm.nifc.gov.

To meet IFPM requirements for this position, 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): A) Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), AND; B) Intermediate Fire Behavior (S-290) If selected at the GW-05, you must meet the IFPM training requirements above for the GW-06 as a condition of employment before being eligible for promotion to the GW-06 grade level.

**You must meet all qualification and selective placement factor requirements by the closing date of the announcement.** 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.

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 MEA for this position shall not exceed age 37. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. See Required Documents Section.

FACT SHEET for Fire Positions: Information on Special Retirement. Major Duties:

• Serves as a lead wildland firefighter and member of a wildland fire module or crew.
• Directs the work of a small crew of firefighters in building firelines, burnout, mopping up, and patrolling firelines.
• Applies an understanding of firefighter safety, fire behavior, topography of the area, weather, fuels, and training in fire management.
• Plans action and directs utilization of fire line resources.
• Directs assigned suppression operations and recommends and implements tactical strategies on fires.
• Directs the operation and use of special tools and equipment.
• Directs and ensures proper equipment and supplies needed for fire assignments.
• Manages fuels projects such as: prescribed fire, mechanical and biological treatments, inventorying fuel beds, and piling vegetation debris.