Wildland Firefighter (Fire Suppression)

• Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-05 level.
• Serves as an experienced firefighter on a hand crew or other related fire suppression crews performing fire suppression and/or fuels management duties under the most adverse conditions of climate fuels and terrain.
• Performs the duties of a fully qualified chain saw operator and chainsaw repair technician.
• Is certified in the use of helicopter long lines. Performs all aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations including preparation ignition monitoring holding and mop up.
• Collects fire weather data fuel and/or soil moisture samples maps projects and maintains records. May on occasion serve as driver of a crew carrier.
• Gathers and considers information on weather data topography fuel types and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents.

• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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 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.

Experience Requirements:

For the GW-03 level: Applicants must have minimum six months experience of any type of work that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the Forestry Technician position or general experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the Forestry Technician occupation;
OR
Successful completion of a one (1)-year of related education or appropriate firefighting training may be substituted for experience on a month-for-month basis. Firefighting training obtained as part of a high school curriculum-may be substituted for the six (6) months of general experience.
OR
an appropriate combination of education and experience.

Examples of qualifying general experience include: Any type of work that demonstrates the applicants ability to perform the work of a Wildland Firefighter or general experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the Wildland Firefighter occupation. Examples of general experience include: Performed farm/ranch labor such as feeding and tending livestock or general maintenance of farm/ranch facilities; Worked in a greenhouse or nursery moving watering and tending plants and performing other general labor tasks; Fed and watered animals such as in a laboratory pet store or zoo; Any work experience paid or unpaid. Unpaid experience for example may be regular volunteer work such as at a park community sports league facilities etc.

For the GW-04 level: Applicants must have minimum of six months of general experience (any type of work that demonstrated the ability to perform the work of the Forestry Technician position or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the Forestry Technician occupation) AND six months of specialized experience that is directly related to the work of the Forestry Technician position;
OR
Successful completion of a two (2)-year course of study in an accredited college or university in Fire Training Fire Science Fire Technology or other related fields of study.
OR
An appropriate combination of education and experience.

Examples of qualifying general experience include: Performed farm/ranch labor such as feeding/tending livestock or general maintenance of farm/ranch facilities and/or worked in a greenhouse nursery or landscaping e.g. planting moving watering and tending plants and/or animal caretaker in a laboratory zoo or pet store and/or volunteer work at a park hospital community sports league local fire department etc.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Performed natural resource support work e.g. forestry range park technician wildland firefighter or similar jobs; performed routine support assignments in a forestry specialty area e.g. wilderness timber fire prevention/control etc.

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.

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.

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 ARDUOUS MODERATE or LIGHT 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.

Selective Placement Factor for Promotion to GW-5: 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.

Additional Requirement for Promotion Eligibility to the Full Performance GW-05 grade level: Successfully complete the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Fire Fighter Type 1 (FFT1) -AND- Successfully complete the NWCG Course S-290 Wildland Fire Behavior.