This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/506649000. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
This position serves as a Wildland Firefighter Apprentice on various wildland fire crews with responsibility for the operation and maintenance of specialized tools or equipment. The incumbent will be assigned into one or more types of positions within the wildfire program where the individual’s specialized skills are required at one or more locations throughout the forest service.
Information about the Wildland Fire Apprentice program can be found at: https://www.nafri.gov/wfap/
08/01/2018 to 10/15/2018
$26,587 - $33,394 per year
GS 03 - 05
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire related assignments.
No
Permanent
Full-Time
Competitive
05
No
Yes
19-FIREHIRE-WFAP-345DP
506649000
This announcement will be used to collect applications for two hiring events.
The first application deadline will be 11:59PM EST August 30, 2018. This deadline is for the following locations:
Region (R5) - (California) Region (R9) - (Maine, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Delaware, and New Jersey) Region (R8) - (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma and Virginia).
The second application deadline is for all locations and will be 11:59PM EST October 15, 2018.
As part of the Wildland Firefighter Apprentice Program, If selected, you may be subject to random mobilization that could last up to six months in order to develop the knowledge, skills and requirements of the position.
Serves as an apprentice fire fighter on a wildland fire hand crew performing fire suppression and/or fuels management duties under the most adverse conditions or climate, fuels and terrain. Performs the duties of a fully qualified chain saw operator and chainsaw repair technician. Performs various aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding and mop-up. May serve as driver of a crew carrier.
Serves as a wildland firefighter on a wildland fire engine. Driving engines to fire locations, frequently over unimproved roads. Starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose and using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and additives.
May serve as a wildland firefighter on a helitack crew. Loading helicopter personnel and cargo considering methods, weight distribution, necessity for securing, total weight, etc. and completes manifests of personnel and equipment being transported to the fire or other work site.
Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical and other duties as assigned.
Duties listed are at the full performance level.
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.
E-Verify: Federal law requires agencies to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. If you are selected as a newly hired employee, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS 'E-VERIFY' system. Under the system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
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 choosing.
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.
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.
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.
Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver’s license; a commercial driver’s license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination. There may be additional Conditions of Employment not listed here, however applicants will be notified of any specific requirements at the time a tentative job offer is made.
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 requirements as of the closing date of the announcement.
APPRENTICE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
There are conditions of employment for this position. The selected applicant must complete the provision of the National Apprenticeship Standards. These conditions of employment may change during the term of the apprenticeship as approved by the National Interagency Joint Apprentice Committee (NIJAC).
National Apprentice Standards can be found at https://www.nafri.gov/
Conditions of employment include:
1. Formal Classroom training consisting of the Wildland Fire Academy (Foundational and/or Core academies depending on grade at time of hire) provided by the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program at various locations throughout the United States and other required training.
2. 3,000 hours of on-the-job training as well as completion of the Competency Checklist.
3. Successful completion of a minimum 120 hours of Elective Subject Area instruction provided by the home unit.
4. All class work must be completed at the identified passing level.
Selected applicants who do not meet these conditions of employment may be subject to removal from position.
Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates applications are due for these locations can be found on the Forest Service website.
The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.
This position is being concurrently announced under Merit Promotion Announcement Number 19-FIREHIRE-WFAP-345G . Current or former Federal employees may apply to both announcements, but should be sure to apply to the Merit Promotion Announcement in order to avoid losing consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement. Disabled veterans, candidates with 3 or more years of active duty military service, and candidates eligible for special hiring authorities may apply to the Merit Promotion Announcement if they meet the criteria outlined in the announcement and submit supporting documentation.
Physical Fitness Statement: You are being deployed to a challenging physical environment. You may encounter extremely dusty conditions, significant air pollution, high elevations, lack of potable water, food and waterbourne diseases, and communicable diseases. You will need to walk distances of a half-mile or more, run and step up to 2 feet while wearing a helmet and body armor that together weigh a minimum of 30 pounds. Medical care will be limited
Positions may be filled as career ladders or could be filled at the full performance level dependent upon the individual units needs. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed.
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).
Availability of government housing, federal day care facilities, and telework may be available. Some positions filled via this announcement are bargaining unit positions represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees, IAMAW. This is dependent upon unit location.
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 duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Final determination of duty station will be made by the selecting official at the time of job offer. Salary range as shown is the locality pay area of Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary depending on location and may be higher or lower than the amount shown. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management’s website for additional information on pay rates. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. Eligible applicants will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Applicants with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.
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" button to the right.
The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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.
Please view Tips for Applicants – a guide to the Forest Service application process.
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, click "Apply Online" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.
NOTE: You must verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the Agency's staffing system. Applicants may combine all like required documents (e.g., all SF-50s) into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping like documents into files will simplify the application process. Documents must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signature, or other encryption to open.
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/506649000. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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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. Rankings are based on employee feedback regarding satisfaction with their work experience.