Wildland Firefighter (Fire Dozer Operator)
Andalusia, AL - USA
Job Summary
These positions will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit.
This position is established on a Forest Unit to serve primarily as an operator of heavy equipment on initial attack fire and fuels management activities. The incumbent also operates this equipment in support of other natural resource projects.
See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION for Regional contacts.
- Duties listed are at full performance grade WG-10 level.
- Operate various types of heavy equipment such as graders tractors with bulldozer or angle dozer blades front-end loaders backhoes large industrial tractors with pan or scraper attachments etc. to perform construction and road maintenance work.
- Perform preventive maintenance and makes minor repairs and adjustments on automobiles trucks and heavy equipment.
- Adjust the heavy equipment attachments for proper level angle or depth according to the work to be done and the type of equipment used.
- Operates a dump truck and semi-truck with trailer with maximum gross vehicle weight of 80000 lbs. to 120000 lbs. to haul specialized heavy equipment.
- Operate heavy equipment to complete excavation backfilling and grading of construction materials to specifications as required on such projects as roads ditches campgrounds minor and major culverts and other construction projects.
- Follow detailed instructions and training to operate and service heavy equipment without causing injury to yourself others and the vehicle/equipment.
- 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.
- Successful completion of one-year probationary period unless previously served.
- 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.
- Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions.
- Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
- Must possess and maintain a valid commercial drivers license.
- If selected you must register with the DOT Clearinghouse as a driver at Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and complete a Query Consent. You must respond to the consent within 24 hours.
- Under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service 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 requirement.
- 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 Federal Wage System Qualifications Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements.
Basic Requirement:
You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements to successfully perform the duties of Engineering Equipment Operator.
Applicants will be evaluated on their ability to perform the duties of the position rather than length of experience. Eligibility will be determined by the relevance scope and quality of all experience and training regardless of where or how acquired. Applicants will be assessed based on their knowledge of the job elements identified in this announcement.
Screen-out Job Element: Applicants who do not meet the screen-out job elements will not be further evaluated.
In addition to the above requirements applicants will be assessed based on their knowledge of the job elements identified below:
Selective Placement Factors
Applicants must possess and maintain a Commercial Drivers License (CDL).
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 -OR-currently occupy a permanent position with primary fire fighter retirement coverage.
For those who do not currently occupy a permanent Federal position covered under primary fire fighter retirement you must be under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position; or a veteran preference eligible older than age 37 and requesting a waiver to the requirement.
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 primary/rigorous 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.
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 MODERATE level is a condition of employment.
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 2: Rocky Mountain Region - Timothy Griffin at
Region 3: Southwestern Region - Tobe Haught at
Region 5: Pacific Southwest Region - Brian Grabowski -
Region 6: Pacific Northwest Region - Shalyn Whitson at
Region 8: Southern Region - Russ Marchion at
Region 9: Eastern Region - Brian Hicks at
Job Corps Center: All Region- Dirk Huber 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).
Government housing and federal day care facilities may be available.
Pay rates vary depending on location and may be higher or lower than the amount shown. Please visit the Appropriated Fund Wage Schedules webpage for additional information on pay rates.
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 Federal Wage System Qualifications Standards.
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 at 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
Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE AFGE or NAGE.
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:
IC