Wildland Firefighter (Fire Training Specialist)

Full Job Description

This position is located at a USDA Forest Service Unit. The incumbent serves as the Program Leader and/or Training Specialist for Fire, Fuels and/or Aviation Management.

In addition, serves in a variety of Aviation and Incident Management assignments and assists in developing Regional and local fire and/or aviation management curriculum.

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 equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-07) 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: Assisted in the development of wildland firefighting training materials; Assisted with coordination and implementation of fire training and instructional programs; Responsible for leading crew members in various fire prevention, fire suppression, fuels management, fire related aviation and/or dispatch operations.

For the GW-09: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (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: Provided instruction on a variety of topics in fire and aviation safety; Assisted in developing Regional and local fire and/or aviation management curriculum, courses, and training materials; Performed various technical duties that involve a diverse range of aviation field and program operations with complicating variables by serving in a variety of aviation and fire incident management assignments.

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.

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 GW-09 grade level.
• Directly interacts with agency administrators and staff personnel at all levels of Federal and State agencies involved with Fire and Aviation Management and wildland fire suppression and management.
• Reviews and modifies course materials and plans for specific audiences.
• Serves in assigned program area as (1) Course Development Coordinator, (2) Needs Analysis Evaluator, (3) Curriculum and Instructional Design Coordinator or (4) Evaluation Coordinator .
• Makes on-the-job Fire Suppression and Incident Management training evaluations by serving as overhead team member on project wildfires.
• Uses and applies National, Interagency and Regional fire and aviation regulations, policies, procedures, goals, organizations, functions and operations in assigned program area.
• Serves as instructor for Interagency, Regional and Interregional Fire and/or Aviation Management courses.