This position is part of the Alaska Fire Service (AFS), BLM located in Fairbanks, Alaska. AFS is responsible for providing fire suppression and related support services on Federal and Native Corporation Lands; the interagency responsibility involves 192 millions acres. For more information regarding AFS please visit our webpage. Information about locations within Alaska can be found at: State of Alaska.
Summary
This position is part of the Alaska Fire Service (AFS), BLM located in Fairbanks, Alaska. AFS is responsible for providing fire suppression and related support services on Federal and Native Corporation Lands; the interagency responsibility involves 192 millions acres. For more information regarding AFS please visit our webpage. Information about locations within Alaska can be found at: State of Alaska.
You may apply if you are a Status Candidate (Merit Promotion, VEOA, Land Management Eligible) and/or a Non-Competitive Hiring Authority Eligible (VRA, 30% Disabled Veteran, Certain Military Spouse, Schedule A, Certain Peace Corps/VISTA Employee/Volunteer, Certain Former Overseas Employee, Foreign Service Employee, CTAP/ICTAP, Interchange Agreement Employee, or if you are employed under a Miscellaneous Authority not regulated by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.)
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 WILDLAND FIRE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST - HIGH COMPLEXITY, 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 http://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/
The incumbent of this Forestry Technician position serves in a key fire management position in a field fire management organization as a Wildland Fire Operations Technician. The full performance level of this position is the GS-09 grade level.The incumbent is also responsible for preparedness, prevention, prescribed burning, monitoring, hazardous fuel reduction, and facilities within assigned zone/area. The incumbent also assists in
writing and executing wildland fire management plans, prescribed burn plans, and preparedness plans.
Physical Demands: Duties involve fieldwork requiring above average physical fitness and endurance. Work requires 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 strenuous activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity. Duties include demands for strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time. Operation of some specialized fire equipment can place extended physical stress on employee during fire activities.
Work Environment: Work is performed in both an office and field setting. The work performed in an office setting is primarily sedentary. The work performed outdoors is in forest, range and desert environments or in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, or covered by vegetation. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and 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. Personnel must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor sleeping and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances. Employee may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the job requires that protective clothing be worn (hard hat, gloves, boots, flame resistant clothing and other personal protective equipment). Work requires travel by light fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft. Employee will adhere to all safety rules and regulations as prescribed in manuals/supplements or by the designated Safety Officer.
Special Retirement Coverage: This position is approved for coverage under Firefighter or Law Enforcement (FF/LEO) Retirement. The Category of Coverage is Secondary/Administrative (Firefighter).
This is an administrative position in an organization having a firefighting mission, and is in an established career path. Prior firefighting experience, as gained by substantial service in a primary firefighter position or equivalent experience outside the Federal government is a MANDATORY PREREQUISITE for incumbents of this position.
This is a testing designated position (TDP) under the Department of the Interior Drug-Free Workplace Program; the incumbent is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. The incumbent is subject to medical examination and must pass the work capacity test for arduous fire positions.
Security Clearance/Background Investigation is required.
Participation in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program is required.
Must provide resume and supporting documents (See required documents)
You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
Supervisory Probationary Period: If you are selected for this position, you will be required to serve a one year supervisory/managerial probationary period, if one has not previously been completed.
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
Possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
Qualifications
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-07 grade level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-08 grade level; One year at the GS-08 grade level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 grade level. (Must submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No award SF-50 will be accepted).
We must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - please be sure to include this information in your resume. 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. To be creditable, this experience must have been for 1 year and equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled. (If the position was seasonal, your resume must show periods worked.
You may qualify at the GS-08 grade level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:
Experience: One year of forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal Service performing the following duties: Assist with the development of incident objectives, strategies, and tactics; Assist with conducting local level preparedness reviews; Draft prescribed burn plans; Identify wildland fire training needs for unit personnel; AND Evaluate work performance of subordinate employees; OR
Education: Completion of two full years of graduate level education or a master's degree in fire science, fire management or closely related discipline. One year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study; OR
Combination: A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above which meets the total experience requirement. Only graduate education in excess of 1 year (18 semester hours) may be combined with experience. To compute, first, determine your experience as a percentage of the experience required; then determine your graduate education as a percentage of the education required; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100%.
You may qualify at the GS-09 level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:
Experience: One year of forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work equivalent to the GS-08 grade level in the Federal Service performing the following duties: Develop incident objectives, strategies, and tactics; Lead local level preparedness reviews; Implements prescribed burn plans; Develop training for unique unit training needs; AND Participate in the hiring process for subordinate employees; OR
Education: Completion of two full years of graduate level education or a master's degree in fire science, fire management or closely related discipline. One year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study; OR
Combination: A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above which meets the total experience requirement. Only graduate education in excess of 1 year (18 semester hours) may be combined with experience. To compute, first, determine your experience as a percentage of the experience required; then determine your graduate education as a percentage of the education required; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100%.
AND
In addition to meeting the Experience and/or Education qualification requirements for the GS-08 and/or GS-09 grade levels, you must meet the Selective Factors: This position requires a special qualification without which the incumbent could not perform the duties of the position in a satisfactory manner and it will be used as a screen out element. Applicants who do not provide evidence they possess the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements will be rated not qualified.
Wildland Firefighting Experience: A minimum of 90-days of wildland firefighting experience is required. The Department of the Interior defines wildland firefighting experience as any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland. Wildland firefighting experience is gained through work on the fire line in containment, control, suppression or use of wildland fire. This experience can be met by serving in temporary, seasonal, or equivalent private sector fire position no less than 90-days. Periods of wildland firefighting experience gained through militia and rural fire departments can also be credited as long as the total amount of this experience equates to at least 90 days. Wildland fires are categorized into two distinct types: Wildfires, unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires; and,Prescribed Fires, planned ignitions. This description includes only fireline experience on a Prescribed Fire; it does not include experience in the planning stages. Prescribed Fire experience must be supplemented by fire suppression experience in order to be creditable as previous wildland firefighting experience; AND
Primary Core Requirement: Held or currently holdDivision/Group Supervisor (DIVS); AND
Secondary Core Requirement: Held or currently holdIncident Commander Type (ICT3) OR Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).
NOTE: Selectees for IFPM positions requiring currency will be required to obtain and maintain currency for the NWCG qualifications listed above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies".
Education
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.htm
In addition, when reviewing applicant's transcripts, assumptions will not be made. Applicants MUST state which coursework is relevant.
Additional information
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of 03/11/2020
Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.
Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service). Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
This position is not eligible for Telework.
Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
SELECTIVE SERVICE: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx
Career Transition Assistance (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs (ICTAP): CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at CTAP/ICTAP. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form. CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they fall within the best or well qualified categories on the rating criteria for this position.
Reemployment Priority List (RPL): The RPL is the mechanism agencies use to give reemployment consideration to their former competitive service employees separated by a RIF or who fully recovered from a compensable injury after more than one year. If you are currently on a RPL, you may be given priority consideration.
BLM may use certain incentives, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract high quality applicants.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Upon receipt of your complete Application Package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your rating will be based on your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire and the information stated in your resume. Answers submitted in the questionnaire must be supported on your resume. If qualified, your score may range from 70-100 points. In addition, interviews may be conducted for this position. The interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis or may be scored. The job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the work of this position.
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.
The following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of this announcement on: 03/11/2020
1. Your Résumé which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and indicate hours worked per week.If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire.
3. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other equivalent documentation which verifies you meet the required NWCG qualifications for this IFPM position. Failure to provide this documentation by the closing date of the announcement will result in you being rated as not qualified.
College transcript(s), if qualifying based on education, that includes your name, college/university information, major, type of degree, date degree confirmed, coursework, semester/quarter hours, grades, GPA, etc.
Former PLC Member: Submit a copy of your "Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring" along with a copy of your "PLC Participant Verification Work Hours Sheet," if applicable
Current/Former Federal employees: Your most recent (non award) Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) showing that you are/were in the competitive service, as well as the highest grade (or promotion potential) held, on a permanent basis and containing information which shows you meet time-in-grade (e.g., STEP increase, etc.) You must submit an SF-50(s) that shows permanent (career/career/conditional tenure) and competitive service eligibility to be considered. You may need to submit more than one SF-50.
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Eligibles: SF-50(s) showing career/conditional tenure and competitive service status Documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations, for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA); Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) - applies to GS-11 and below; and 30% Disabled Veteran Eligible: DD214 (Mem Copy 4); dated VA letter and SF-15 if claiming 10 pt. preference; OR if you are currently on active duty, a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from the military branch headquarters stating you are expecting to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days from the date of application.
CTAP/ICTAP: Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; AND most recent performance evaluation; AND SF-50 documenting your separation or the position you will be separated from. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated best or well-qualified, 90 or above, on the rating criteria for this position.
Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment Eligibles: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation or benefits office citing disability - eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
Interchange Agreement with Other Merit Systems Eligible: Documentation of eligibility as listed in each individual interchange agreement.
Other noncompetitive or special appointing authorities (e.g., Peace Corps, Boren Fellows, etc.) must provide substantiating documentation as required.
Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.
Visit our website for more information regarding appointment eligibility and requirements for documentation.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position: You must complete the Assessment Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. To receive consideration, the complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/11/2020. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
Select if you want to include your demographic information.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
Review and Submit Application.
While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
The eligibility portion of the application process is designed to allow you to choose how you wish to be considered for this announcement. You may choose more than one eligibility. You must provide proof of your eligibility and will only be considered for the questions that you answer "yes".
Please note, your eligibility will be based solely on the selections you have indicated in this section. You must provide the supporting documentation to support your claim to be considered. You may choose more than one eligibility in this section.
BLM Alaska
222 W 7th Ave #13
Anchorage, AK 99513
US
Next steps
Once the Assessment Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of this announcement on: 03/11/2020
1. Your Résumé which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and indicate hours worked per week.If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire.
3. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other equivalent documentation which verifies you meet the required NWCG qualifications for this IFPM position. Failure to provide this documentation by the closing date of the announcement will result in you being rated as not qualified.
College transcript(s), if qualifying based on education, that includes your name, college/university information, major, type of degree, date degree confirmed, coursework, semester/quarter hours, grades, GPA, etc.
Former PLC Member: Submit a copy of your "Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring" along with a copy of your "PLC Participant Verification Work Hours Sheet," if applicable
Current/Former Federal employees: Your most recent (non award) Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) showing that you are/were in the competitive service, as well as the highest grade (or promotion potential) held, on a permanent basis and containing information which shows you meet time-in-grade (e.g., STEP increase, etc.) You must submit an SF-50(s) that shows permanent (career/career/conditional tenure) and competitive service eligibility to be considered. You may need to submit more than one SF-50.
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Eligibles: SF-50(s) showing career/conditional tenure and competitive service status Documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations, for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA); Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) - applies to GS-11 and below; and 30% Disabled Veteran Eligible: DD214 (Mem Copy 4); dated VA letter and SF-15 if claiming 10 pt. preference; OR if you are currently on active duty, a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from the military branch headquarters stating you are expecting to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days from the date of application.
CTAP/ICTAP: Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; AND most recent performance evaluation; AND SF-50 documenting your separation or the position you will be separated from. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated best or well-qualified, 90 or above, on the rating criteria for this position.
Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment Eligibles: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation or benefits office citing disability - eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
Interchange Agreement with Other Merit Systems Eligible: Documentation of eligibility as listed in each individual interchange agreement.
Other noncompetitive or special appointing authorities (e.g., Peace Corps, Boren Fellows, etc.) must provide substantiating documentation as required.
Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.
Visit our website for more information regarding appointment eligibility and requirements for documentation.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position: You must complete the Assessment Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. To receive consideration, the complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/11/2020. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
Select if you want to include your demographic information.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
Review and Submit Application.
While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
The eligibility portion of the application process is designed to allow you to choose how you wish to be considered for this announcement. You may choose more than one eligibility. You must provide proof of your eligibility and will only be considered for the questions that you answer "yes".
Please note, your eligibility will be based solely on the selections you have indicated in this section. You must provide the supporting documentation to support your claim to be considered. You may choose more than one eligibility in this section.
BLM Alaska
222 W 7th Ave #13
Anchorage, AK 99513
US
Next steps
Once the Assessment Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
