Wildland Firefighter (Airtanker Base Manager)
Hereford, TX - USA
Job Summary
This position is located USDA Forest Service Unit.
The primary purpose of this position is to to serve as an Assistant Airtanker Base Manager. Responsibilities include management of an aerial retardant base in support of wildland fire suppression activities; management and administration of assigned contracts as Contracting Officers Representative.
See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION for Regional contacts.
- Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-08 level.
- In the absence of the Airtanker Base Manager the assistant will perform fully as the onsite Airtanker Base Manager.
- Responsible for ensuring that retardant sampling is conducted and that quality assurance standards are met.
- Oversees mixing and loading of retardant chemicals to ensure that individual aircraft weight limitations are not exceeded.
- Responsible for the overall efficiency safety and security of ground and aviation operations.
- Responsible for implementing base operation safety and security plans. Participates in base reviews and inspections complies with and implements recommendations.
- Conducts Air Base related training and personnel development at the Airtanker Base. Plans schedules and monitors all flights and resources related to the base.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
- Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
- Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities visit E-Verify.
- Must be 18 years of age.
- This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice.
- Secondary Coverage: Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
- Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
- Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state drivers license; a commercial drivers license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination.
- As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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 Managements General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GW-07: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-06 grade level in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience may include: Assisted in the safe loading of fire-retardant materials into air tankers. Provided facility maintenance oversight and/or procurement for repairs and improvements. Assisted in administering aircraft and retardant contracts.
For the GW-08: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-07 grade level in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience may include: Assisted in planning scheduling and monitoring all flights out of a base for resource and fire related projects; assisted in preparing and directing the implementation of airtanker base operational plans; assisted in administering aircraft and/or fire-retardant contracts.
Selective Placement Factors
Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirements of Airtanker Base Manager (ATBM) or Must obtain ATBM qualification within 6 months of hire.
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.
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 position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System. 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.
There is no substitution of education for specialized experience.
For additional information about the duties and location(s) of these positions please contact regional representative: To see the different locations within the Regional Offices US Forest Service ()
Region 1: Northern Region - Tiffany Counts at
Region 2: Rocky Mountain Region - Timothy Griffin at
Region 3: Southwestern Region - Tobe Haught at
Region 4: Intermountain Region - Bradley Bugger at
Region 5: Pacific Southwest Region - Brian Grabowski -
Region 6: Pacific Northwest Region - Shalyn Whitson at
Region 8: Southern Region - Russ Marchion at
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Reemployment Priority List (RPL) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors.
These are permanent positions with varying tours of duty and may include weekend work. Some positions may have irregular and protracted hours of work. Tours of duty include full-time or less than full time (guaranteed minimum 13 pay periods full-time employment).
The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Managements website for additional information on pay rates.
Government housing and federal day care facilities may be available.
Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.
The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website.
Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk Option 1 or email
New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required new supervisory training program within a year of the effective date of the position.
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential you will be placed under a career development plan and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However promotion is neither implied or guaranteed.
Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE AFGE or NAGE. This is dependent upon unit location.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Experience:
Manager