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Forestry Technician (Helitack) (Helitack)

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position serves as the supervisor of a Helitack program located on a forest unit and is responsible for providing leadership and technical knowledge to employees on a daily basis. The primary responsibility for this position is fire suppression. The incumbent supervises a crew of helitack personnel/firefighters that is established to provide fast initial attack, and large fire support. This position additionally utilizes helicopters in support of all types of incidents including emergency incidents and resource management functions.

This position is located on Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Fire and Aviation Management, Grants Pass, OR.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Amanda Lucas-Rice at 541-618-2104 or allucas@fs.fed.us

This position provides leadership, supervision and program direction to a 16-21-person USFS initial attack fire crew with one Type II rappel helicopter and one national large fire support Type 1 helicopter. More about the program at:  http://www.siskiyourappellers.com/ . The incumbent provides leadership and technical fire and aviation management guidance and oversight to employees on a daily basis.

The incumbent must serve as a specialist in helicopter operations, managing permanent and temporary helibases. As qualified, may fill advanced Incident Command, and Operations roles within the scope of the National Incident Command System (ICS). Serves as the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) on the helicopter contracts assigned. Additionally, the position is responsible for facility, fleet and program budget management.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open date: 08/01/2018
Closed date: 08/31/2018
Location
Work site options
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. Additional relocation benefits are not available.
Salary
$50,598 - $65,778 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 09
Promotion potential
09
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-Time
Travel Required
75% or less - Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire related assignments.
Appointment type
Temporary Promotion
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Service
Security clearance
Other
Announcement number
18-FIRE-R6-491416FS-JZ
Control number
505412800

This job is open to

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Duties

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Plans, coordinates, and directs helitack crews in support of fire suppression. Applies technical methods and procedures.  Manages complex aviation operations.  Manages permanent and temporary helibases.  Responsible for helicopter safety and compliance.  Ensures safety and welfare for all assigned personnel.  Provides leadership and direction to firefighters.  Completes fire line safety and tactical briefings, fire size-up, fire reports and fire personnel performance evaluations.

Serves as an Incident Commander, managing resources that vary from single resource to multiple resource task forces or strike teams.  May serve as helicopter rappel spotter. Prioritizes attack sequence in multiple fire situations. Coordinates and provides direction for aviation assets. 

Supervises the helicopter module personnel. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations, evaluates employee performance, provides advice and counsel to workers, affects disciplinary measures as appropriate.  Supervises complex aviation operations, providing direction and oversight to pilots, firefighters, and aviation personnel. Responsible for furthering the goals of equal employment opportunity (EEO). 

Completes and maintains reports and records for aircraft use. Completes daily flight invoices and contract daily diaries. Signs for receipt of services and approves payments.  Plans helicopter budget. Responsible for property tracking and use. Makes economic and program analyses of helicopter operations and advises managers of alternatives. Participates in Regional and National planning committees.  

Assists in the development of training techniques related to helicopters and helicopter firefighting for regional fire management program.  Responsible for helicopter safety and compliance with policies and procedures.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Primary firefighter retirement covered position.
  • Position requires a Work Capacity Test (WCT)
  • Subject to a negative drug test prior to entrance on duty.
  • Must meet Maximum Entry Age (MEA) requirements.
  • Must meet IFPM qualifications.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be 18 years of age

May be subject to satisfactory completion of one year probationary or trial period.

Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of training.

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 level is a "condition of employment." The Arduous fitness (Pack) test requires completing a three (3) mile hike within forty-five (45) minutes, while carrying a forty-five (45) pound pack. You are strongly encouraged to consult with your physician and begin training immediately if applying for this position. This announcement constitutes the required 30 days advanced notice for testing requirements.

This position has been identified as High or Moderate or Low 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. The applicant must possess these qualifications at the applicable complexity level to be considered eligible for this position.

DRUG TESTING: This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.

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, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email asc_tos@fs.fed.us.

Qualifications

You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position.  Transcripts must be provided if qualifications are based on education above the high school level.  Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements.  Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. 

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.

GS-9: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-8 grade level; Examples of specailized experience are: Oversaw helicopter service contract and enforced contract provisions; provided detailed instructions on incident objectives, situations, and tactics to pilots, crews, and dispatchers; planned and coordinated complex air operations using numerous helicopter models, capabilities and limitations, including remote, isolated work locations; developed specific aerial ignition plans for burning projects after analyzing conditions. 

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS:

  • Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- less than age 37 after subtracting the months of 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- eligible under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, older than 37, and requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement.
  • Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirements of Helibase Manager Type 2 (HEB2).
  • Successfully completed the Secondary NWCG Core Requirements of Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4).


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.

To receive consideration for this position, you must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Additional information

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND FINGERPRINT CHECK:  Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation.

Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choice.

If you are newly hired, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" system. Federal law requires the use of E-VERIFY to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. Under this system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.

Special Hiring Authorities Information: Click here for more information https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/search/?q=special+hiring regarding applying under the Veteran’s Recruitment Act (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, and Schedule A Disabled.

Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.

Government housing not available.

This position is situational/limited for telework.

Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period (unless prior service is creditable). New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required new supervisory training program before the end of their probationary period.

Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary and term employees the opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years and the last temporary or term appointment must have been with the Forest Service. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better.

This is a bargaining unit position represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees, IAMAW.

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.  This position is subject to a Maximum Entry Age (MEA) requirement which has been set at age 37.  Applicants must be 37 years of age or under prior to their appointment date for entry into this position. An applicant’s entry age may be adjusted based on credit for past primary/secondary service which is otherwise creditable for retirement.  Temporary primary/rigorous service will only be credited if performed prior to January 1, 1989 (temporary service performed beginning 1/1/89 or later is not creditable for retirement).  Applicants who are entitled to veteran’s preference or who are eligible under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act are eligible to request a waiver to the maximum age requirement. In instances where the maximum entry-age is waived, the corresponding mandatory retirement age for these individuals will also be higher because it will be reached after 20 years of coverage under special retirement provisions for the entitlement to an immediate enhanced annuity.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below:

  • Knowledge of air and helicopter operations.
  • Ability to coordinate and execute fire suppression and fire management techniques and practices.
  • Ability to supervise.
  • Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and develop solutions.
  • Knowledge of instructional techniques and training related to fire operations.

We will review your application, including the online Occupational Questionnaire, to ensure you meet the job requirements and assess your ability to perform this job. Before any certificate can be issued to the selecting official, the resume and supporting documents are reviewed by an HR Specialist to ensure that (a) minimum qualification requirements are met and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your answers will be verified against information provided in your online resume and application. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position.

Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Non-Competitive candidates need to meet minimum qualification requirements to be referred.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and / or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score can / will be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the “Apply Online” button to the right.


To view the application form, visit: https://fs.usda.ntis.gov/cp/?event=jobs.previewApplication&jobid=3990554D-DC2E-4B16-B6AC-A90C00DC857D

Forest Service

A career with the Forest Service will challenge you to manage and care for more than 193 million acres of our nation's most magnificent lands, conduct research through a network of forest and range experiment stations and the Forest Products Laboratory, and provide assistance to State and private forestry agencies.

It's an awesome responsibility - but the rewards are as limitless as the views.

USDA is a great place to start or continue your career. USDA is ranked as one of the top 10 "Best Places to Work in the Federal Government" by the Partnership for Public Service (http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/rankings/overall/large). Rankings are based on employee feedback regarding satisfaction with their work experience.

Agency contact information

HRM Contact Center
Phone
877-372-7248, option 2
TDD
800-877-8339
Fax
866-338-3718
Email
fsjobs@fs.fed.us
Address
USDA Forest Service
Do not mail in applications, see instructions under the How to Apply tab.
Albuquerque, NM, 87109
United States

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