Wildland Firefighter (Helicopter Program Manager) - Direct Hire Authority

Full Job Description

For more information about each location see "Position Information". Please ensure you read the announcement fully prior to submitting application package.

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.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience.

To receive credit for experience, your 2 page resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time or part-time, hours must be included).

If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume.

Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes.

In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

If an applicant's resume is incomplete or does not support the requirements for minimum qualifications or specialized experience a rating of "ineligible" or "not qualified" will be applied and no consideration for employment will be granted.

This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program management (IFPM) Standard.

This position requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. For more information on IFPM, click here.

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS: Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- Less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- A veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement.

- AND - Successful completion and have currency in the Primary NWCG Core Requirements of either: Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) AND Helicopter Manager - Single Resource (HMGB) AND Helibase Manager (HEBM) AND At least one season as an assistant fire helicopter crew supervisor -AND- SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT: GW-09: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS/GW-08 level in the Federal service, or equivalent.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience includes: Performing wildland fire operations, and at least one of the following wildland fire-fighting functions: Initial attack and Fire-line Suppression Operations; Prescribed Fire Operations; Helitack Operations; Wildland Fire Engine Operations; leading others in any two of the following functions: initial attack and suppression hand-crew operations; prescribed fire operations; wildland fire engine crew operations; helitack fire crew operations; providing on-the-job training and conducting daily crew briefings, safety sessions, and/or other basic wildland fire training.

Experience will include One season as an assistant fire helicopter crew supervisor.

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 is covered by the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) and 5 U.S.C.

8412 (d) as a Primary/Rigorous Firefighter. Applicants must be 18 years of age, but not have reached their 37th birthday by the closing date of this announcement.

These positions are covered by the special enhanced annuity retirement provisions for Federal Firefighters and Law Enforcement officers and have a mandatory retirement age of 57.

Two exceptions are allowed: 1) an applicant has prior Federal service in documented special retirement covered position(s) sufficient to count toward 20 years of covered service on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57; or 2) an applicant is a qualified veterans' preference eligible, in which case the MEA is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service.

Applicants must submit proof of their previous and/or current status in the Fire Fighter or Law Enforcement special enhanced annuity retirement system.

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." The Arduous fitness (Pack) test requires completing a three (3) mile hike within forty-five (45) minutes, while carrying a forty-five (45) pound pack.

You are strongly encouraged to consult with your physician and begin training immediately if applying for this position.

This announcement constitutes the required 30 days advanced notice for testing requirements.

To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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.

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:

Responsible for helicopter safety and compliance with all applicable Department of Interior (DOI), and US Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) policies and procedures.

Plans, coordinates, and directs helicopter support to execute a wide variety of park-wide missions requiring interdisciplinary participation to complete.

Responsible for ensuring compliance with agency policies, procedures, and objectives during aviation missions and to meet short term project and emergency needs.

Serves in Fire and Aviation management positions, as qualified, and assigned during initial attack, ongoing fires, other natural disasters, search and rescue, as well as during other emergencies.

Assists in training and may serve as lead instructor for park and interagency courses, or workshops, which instruct helitack, park, and other cooperating agency personnel in helicopter operations.

Plans, coordinates, and directs helicopter operations in support of mission requests.

Directs aviation mission planning including briefings of pilots, contract personnel and crews on mission requirements.

Participates in and may direct helicopter operations to include accompanying pilot on flights, provides radio communications to dispatch and/or ground firefighter and navigates with use of maps.

Conducts post flight briefings with pilots and crews to improve mission safety and effectiveness. May serve as a rappeler, short hauler, or spotter.