NOTE: If the position is filled at a lower grade level, subsequent promotion to the next grade level will be processed without further competition under the Merit Promotion Program at such time as performance and qualification requirements are met and classification review discloses the duties being performed properly warrant classification to the next higher grade level.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

• Performs and leads three or more squad members in initial attack and extended attack wildland suppression operations.
• Distributes and controls work assignments among employees.
• Serves as a Type 5 Incident Commander during initial attack of wildland fires.
• Analyzes fire behavior, determines fire cause, determines suppression tactics, directs squad members, communicates with dispatch, completes fire reports.
• Performs the loading/unloading of helicopters with firefighting personnel and equipment.
• Ensures that load manifests and load calculations are accurate to meet helicopter weight limitations and safety guidelines.
• Gives oral briefings to pilots, passengers, and other personnel outlining general mission parameters/conditions and safety considerations.
• May serve as aerial observer in the helicopter providing fire detection, fire locating, fire size-up, directing ground forces to the fire, ordering additional resources and communication with fire dispatch on mission status.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is Required.
• Selectee is subject to a background security investigation.
• Appointment may include a requirement for one year probationary period.
• Applications will only be accepted online or by Fax to 1-478-757-3144.

SUITABILITY, CLEARANCE & REQUIREMENTS: A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

OTHER: Incumbent is required, as an incidental duty, to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle, in the performance of duties; therefore, a valid driver's license is required. Incumbent must have a safe driving record within the three-year period immediately preceding submittal of GSA Form 3607 and be able to meet the safe driving requirements of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. May require the incumbent to obtain and maintain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to operate motor vehicles.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Involves rigorous fieldwork requiring above average physical performance, endurance and superior conditioning. Work requires prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighting 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 incumbent during fire activities.

LIVING AND WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is primarily performed in forest and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures vary from above 100 degrees F to 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 conditions under unpredictable sets of circumstances. Incumbent may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (boots, hardhat, gloves, flame resistant clothing, etc.).

TELEWORK: The Bureau of Indian Affairs has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for Technical and Medical Support Positions, GS-0462, and Individual Occupational Requirements for Forestry Technician Series, GS-0462; and Interagency Fire Program Management Qualifications Standards and Guide for ENGINE SUPERVISOR).

GS-6: 1 year of specialized wildland fire management experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service.

GS-5: 1 year of specialized wildland fire management experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service -OR- successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of creditable specialized wildland fire management experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Specialized experience is that experience which has provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully function in the wildland fire management position applied for.

SELECTIVE FACTOR: The applicant 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:

• Engine Boss (ENGB)
• Incident Commander, Type 5 (ICT5) or higher

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE AND MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE LIMIT: This position is covered as a primary firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS) subject to maximum entry age and mandatory retirement at age 57, or any time after 57, upon reaching 20 years of covered service. Applicants for this position must not have reached their 37th birthday upon appointment to this position. An exception is allowed if there is prior federal service in a covered firefighter position. 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 you application will result in the loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: A medical exam will be required for newly hired personnel in permanent positions that require arduous duty in accordance with the Department of the Interior (DOI) Medical Standards Program (MSP).

This is a Testing Designated Positions (TDP) under the Department of Interior Drug Free Workplace Program.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

As part of the application process, you are required to respond to a series of questions designed to assess your possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of strategies, tactics and suppression methods used in containment and control of wildland fires or implementation of prescribed fires sufficient to make assignments to crew members, accurately assess rapidly changing fire behavior, determine when additional forces are needed, and when engagement or disengagement is appropriate.
• Skill in the use of hand tools.
• As an engine crewmember, skill in driving engines and operating apparatus to include drafting, pumping water, and constructing simple and progressive hose lays under the direction of the engine boss.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of general range/forestry work sufficient to personally perform and lead others in the performance of project work related to fuels treatments, thinning, wildlife and watershed treatments, rehabilitation, and equipment and vehicle maintenance.

We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities.