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Forestry Technician

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Yosemite National Park
This job announcement has closed

Summary

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 Senior Firefighter, 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/.


Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/18/2019 to 04/01/2019
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$37,223 to - $48,385 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Location
Yosemite National Park, CA
2 vacancies
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Permanent-Career Seasonal (Subject to Non-Pay/Non-Duty Status)
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
6
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
NPS-19-10443940-DE-OPM
Control number
527570500

Duties

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  • Serves as a Forestry Technician on a Type 3 Engine Module crew performing wildland firefighting work and providing leadership to crewmembers in fire engine operations.
  • Performs work directly related to wildland fire suppression and control activities including suppression, preparedness, prevention, monitoring, hazardous fuels reduction, and prescribed burning.
  • Makes initial evaluation of fire situations, determines rate of spread, potential hazards to property and other improvements, suppression method to use, deployment of crew, point of initial attack, type of tools to use and application of water.
  • Performs vehicle inpection on fire vehicles from utility trucks and fire engines. Inventiories fire tools and equipment to ensure necessary tools and equipment are available for firefighting tasks.
  • Leads engine crew members (4 to 6 firefighters) in daily field operations; and provides leadeship for fire management projects.
  • Instructs crew members in specific tasks and techniques; conducts on-the-job training; distributes work assignments among employees, assures timely completion of assigned tasks; ensures work is carried out safely; and reports on performance issues.
  • Operates a variety of motor vehicles to transport equipment, supplies, crew members, etc.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
  • Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and also pass a medical examination (which includes vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized government physician. You will also be required to undergo periodic medical examinations throughout employment.
  • The Work Capacity Test (WCT-Pack Test) as a method for assessing an employee's fitness levels for fire qualifications in the positions covered by this recruitment notice. Employees required to pass a WCT-Pack Test as a "condition of employment" will be provided one opportunity to pass the required test with a second chance provided at the discretion of management based on the results of the first test. This recruitment notice constitutes the required 30 days advanced notice for testing requirements. NOTE: Arduous fitness (WCT-Pack Test) will consist of completing a three-mile hike, within 45 minutes, while carrying a 45 pound pack. A time of 45 minutes, the passing score for the test, approximates an aerobic fitness score of 45, the established standard for firefighters. Applicants shall be disqualified for appointment if they fail to meet any physical requirement. Probationary or seasonal employment is subject to termination for failure to meet the 25th percentile in each of the identified component being measured.
  • You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.

Qualifications

This announcement is open to first 50 applicants or until 04/01/2019 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

SELECTIVE FACTOR: Applicants 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:

  1. NWCG Primary Core Requirement (FFT1)
  2. NWCG course S-290 "Intermediate Fire Behavior"
Candidates who do not meet these requirements by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position. Selectees for IFPM positions requiring currency will be required to obtain and maintain currency for the NWCG qualifications listed above.

This position is covered by the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) as a Primary/Rigorous Firefighter. Applicants must not have reached their 37th birthday upon appointment to this position unless there is sufficient prior Federal service in a covered position to permit retirement on or before the mandatory retirement age for this type of position. An exception is allowed if you are a qualified veteran preference eligible.

AND

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience for the respective grade level in which you are applying:

GS-6:

Specialized Experience: Possess one full year of experience 1) working in, or directly related to, forest or range fire control, prevention or suppression; and 2) personally performing and leading others in one or more of the following wildland fire-fighting functions: serving as a member of a fire suppression hand-crew; a prescribed fire crew; a wildland fire engine crew; a wildland fire helitack crew; or other forestry technician or comparable position performing wildland fire related work. NOTE: Seasonal experience as a wildland firefighter may also be creditable. A total of 12 months of seasonal experience at the GS-05 level or higher is considered qualifying). If your firefighting experience includes both structural and wildland, is essential that your application materials clearly separate and document your wildland experience. This experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-5 level in the Federal service (obtained either in private or public sectors). Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

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).

Volunteer Experience: 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.

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".
  • Occupancy of government quarters is required
  • You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • If you are a new Federal employee, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
  • You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
  • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 10 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
  • You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level(s) of this announcement.

Additional information

This is a Career-Seasonal position and subject to release and recall procedures. A permanent career-seasonal position includes all the benefits of permanent employment, but does not provide employment on a full year-round basis. As such, selectee will be in a non-pay/non-duty status for at least 2 weeks to 6 months per year based on project requirements or weather conditions. Anticipated non-pay status will be from 11/01 to 05/01 unless other work exists that can be assigned during this period. Though non-pay time may be reduced, you will still be placed in non-pay status for a minimum of 1 pay period or 2 weeks a year.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Physical Demands: Essential functions require arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting. Duties involve 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 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 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.

Working Conditions: The work is primarily performed in forest, range and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with vegetation, and in 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. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor sleeping and eating conditions and unpredictable sets of circumstances. Employee 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.). Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotorwing aircraft

How you will be evaluated

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

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Occupational Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions may affect your rating.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:

  • Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
  • Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
  • Fire Management
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Mechanical
  • Oral Communication
  • Technical Competence


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. Click the following link for more information, https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

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