Wildland Firefighter (Senior) - 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: Direct Hire Authority Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource.

These positions are located in, Las Cruces, NM, and Albuquerque, NM. Information about these locations can be found by clicking on the location.

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(s); please be sure to include this information in your resume.

No assumptions will be made about your experience. 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 a GW-04 grade level, 6 months of general work experience which can be any work experience AND 6 months of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS/GW-03 level duties.

Examples of specialized work experience may include the following: Controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade.

Forest fire control, prevention, or suppression work . Rescue operations. Detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards.

Operation of fire communications equipment when it requires specialized knowledge of firefighting techniques, equipment, and procedures to prevent and manage fires.

Controlling hazardous materials incidents. Developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention.

To qualify for a GW-05 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS/GW -04 level duties.

Examples of specialized work experience include On-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention, or suppression work as a skilled wildland firefighter, 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/GW-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.

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-04: Successful completion of a 2-year course of study above high school, from an accredited college or university, in Fire Training, Fire Science, Fire Technology or in other related fields.

Education and experience may be combined to meet the specialized experience requirement.

GW-05: Successful completion of 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.

Education and experience may be combined to meet the specialized experience requirement. GW-06: There is no education substitution for this position at the GS-06 grade level.

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 GW-06 grade level 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 trained and experienced wildland firefighter on an engine crew.
• Performs wildland fire suppression/management/control functions.
• Performs fireline activities such as line construction, hose layout, operations of pumps and accessories, and mop-up operations.
• Responsible for operation and maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland and prescribed fire situations.
• Participate in fire and safety training in the techniques, practices and methods of fire suppression.
• Gathers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents.
• Participates in fuels management projects and prescribed fires.
• May serve as a situational leader on wildland fires.
• Duties listed are at the GW-06 full performance level.