Wildland Firefighter (Interagency Dispatch Center Manager)

Full Job Description

These positions are located at USDA Forest Service Units. This incumbent serves as a Dispatch Center Manager in an interagency or stand-alone dispatch center.

Oversees all aspects of the dispatch center operations and may provide supervision to employees of the other agencies represented at the center. 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-9: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 in the Federal Service OR a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B.

or J.D., if related; OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level).

The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Examples of specialized experience include: Assisting in coordinating emergency communications and with the overall execution of activities of a dispatch center.

Assisting in providing information regarding the status and danger posed by wildland fires, air quality, and transportation disruptions to local governments and media outlets.

Assisting in providing dispatcher related training and serving as subject matter expert during training course development (e.g., initial attack dispatch, aircraft, intelligence, expanded dispatch).

For the GW-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at the GW-9 in the Federal service OR a Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related; OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.) The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Examples of specialized experience include: Assisting in planning work for a dispatch center and making adjustments to meet priorities.

Assisting in the development and maintenance of office policy and technical guidance of the operational systems, including handbooks, guides, and operational plans.

Providing information regarding the status and danger posed by wildland fires, air quality, and transportation disruptions to local governments and media outlets.

Selective Placement Factors: Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirements of Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher (EDSD).

Successfully completed the NWCG Course #S-491 Intermediate National Fire Rating System.

A copy of the Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training document) which contains documented proof certification or attainment of this requirement must be attached to the application.

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 HIGH 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.

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 GS-11 level.
• Coordinate emergency communications, and assists with the overall execution of activities of a dispatch center.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies through the national dispatch system to ensure rapid, focused, and cost-effective responses to wildland fires, law enforcement as needed, and wildland urban interface/intermix situations
• Plan work objectives for the Dispatch Center and makes adjustments to meet priorities.
• Responsible for keeping abreast of developments, policy issuances, and other similar material in the equal opportunity field, and for fully supporting the FS Equal Opportunity Program.
• Ensure that personnel management within the organizational entity under supervision is accomplished without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.