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Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located within a National Forest. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a fire dispatcher in support of fire suppression activities.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/17/2018 to 10/22/2018
Salary
$19.82 to - $19.82 per hour
Pay scale & grade
GS 07
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Grand Junction, CO
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Position(s) may involve work away the official duty location to remote worksites within commuting distance (49 miles) and may also require overnight travel and/or camping per fire assignment.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
07
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
19-TEMP-R2F-FTFD-7DT-JN
Control number
511035900

Duties

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Performs and directs others in receiving fire reports and current fire reports and current fire information the appropriate response to incidents and request from the field and independently plans and carries out the procedural and technical tasks involved in the dispatching of personnel, equipment, and/or supplies to suppress wildland fires. Resolves the full range of irregular or problem situations in anticipating resource needs for fire suppression activities. Makes recommendations regarding resource orders or anticipated orders.

Based upon current wildland fire suppression activity and utilizing prior wildland firefighting experience and training, anticipates fire suppression needs and determines resource allocation. Determines the number of persons and composition of equipment to dispatch to wildland fires, or for situations in which the fire danger is high. Redistributes resources to address emerging needs, such as in cases of multiple wildland or in prescribed fires. Maintains fire organization rosters.

Coordinates aviation dispatch operations (e.g., aircraft capabilities and limitations, flight planning, aviation safety).

Operates and/or directs the operation of various dispatch telecommunication systems.

Organizes and reviews completed records of all orders placed and actions taken to ensure adherence to established operating procedures.

Processes and interprets weather information (e.g., spot weather forecasts, weather station observations, current and forecasted weather, lightning detection, and fuel moisture levels). This information is used to determine burning indices, preparedness levels and staffing levels for suppression and aviation resources.

Performs, and directs others, in inputting data into a number of fire-related computer applications (e.g., incident qualification records, fire reporting systems, and automated dispatch systems) and makes assessment of outputs.

Plans and carries out fire program management projects in accordance with fire management objectives and policies. Develops and implements fire program management project work plans. Resolves the full scope of irregular problem situations encountered when performing a wide range of interrelated, nonstandard assignments pertaining to fire program management activities.

Provides information and consults with cooperators and other interested entities.

Plans and provides critical logistical support information to the supervisor for successful implementation of fire management program activities. Makes recommendations concerning the efficient use of available resources.

Records and maintains communication logs.

Coordinates and may assist with fire training and orientation.

Reviews internal operating procedures and systems, makes recommendations for improvement, and updates/develops operating plans and mobilization guides.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Provides assistance on problems encountered by lower level dispatch personnel.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S or U.S. National
  • Satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint check
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
  • You must be 18 years of age by entry on duty (EOD) date

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 choosing.

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.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

No Additional Requirements

Qualifications

You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements.

GS-07: (1) One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 level.

Specialized experience is defined as: Determining the appropriate personnel and resource composition to respond to wildland fires or emergencies, as the situation demands. Reassigning resources to address changing needs, such as in cases of multiple wildland or prescribed fires. Coordinating aviation dispatch operations (e.g., aircraft capabilities and limitations, flight planning, aviation safety). Operating and/or directing the operation of various dispatch telecommunication systems. -OR

GS-07: There is no substitution of education for this position.

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

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.

Additional information

PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy is being used to fill positions for FY2019 Temporary Employment Hiring season.

This position is temporary, has a Not-to-Exceed date and will be filled for up to 6 months or as a not to exceed (NTE) 1 year, however an extension of the appointment may be possible without further competition. The appointment may also end early due to lack of work or lack of funds.

The number and location of positions to be filled will be dependent upon individual unit needs.

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.

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.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agency’s definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered.

If you are retired from the Federal Government and are selected for this vacancy, your retirement annuity may be offset from your pay.

This position is not eligible for telework.

Availability of government housing and federal day care facilities will vary by location.

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 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 Online" button to the right.


To view the application form, visit: https://fs.usda.ntis.gov/cp/?event=jobs.previewApplication&jobid=E6086EC1-393D-439D-B0F0-A92A00D520F9

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