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Fire Management Specialist

Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

As a Fire Management Specialist you will be responsible for serving as the Region's program representative.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
05/06/2020 to 05/19/2020
Salary
$91,231 to - $118,603 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Locations
Fairbanks, AK
1 vacancy
Sacramento, CA
1 vacancy
Albuquerque, NM
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel 25% or less for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
MR-20-10811661-TL (MP)
Control number
567544700

Duties

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Serves as the Region's program representative, is responsible for coordinating and conferring with a wide variety of other fire and aviation management agencies, regions, states, and other natural resource and emergency management agencies to ensure program continuity and coordination. Ensures that refuge and other Service lands fire and aviation management plans, agreements, and decision criteria between agencies are compatible with Service/Department policy.

Coordinates aircraft operations and acquisitions pertaining to the use of aircraft for fire suppression, preparedness, and prescribed fire operations for the Region.

Represents the Regional Director, by a written delegation of authority, to make agency decisions concerning the prioritization of wild land fires and assignment of critical fire and aviation assets when resource demand exceeds resource availability.

Serves as a technical specialist on wildfire incident management, including interagency team management, fire science, safety, training, operations, fire logistics, fire business management, and fire personnel administration.

Participates on National lnteragency working teams and task groups as directed.

Meets with and addresses issues of significance to national and regional media, congressional officials, public interest groups and other public officials by explaining and discussing fire management policies and management decisions in an attempt to resolve politically and socially complex and highly controversial issues. Serves as one of the Region's technical specialist and liaison, speaking for the
Service at professional meetings and symposia.

Participates with the Regional Fire Management Coordinator (RFMO) in the implementation and oversight of the Region's Firefighter Safety Program to ensure that firefighter and public safety are the number one priority in all fire management operations. Participates in the formulation of regional policies and procedures for fire suppression and preparedness, prescribed burning operations, fuels treatment, fire evaluations, fire rehabilitation, fire prevention, and fire arson investigations. Assures consistency of the application of national and regional policy by review of Refuge Fire Management Programs. Decisions and commitments have wide influence on Region's fire management program. Ensures that national and regional fire and fire aviation administration guidelines are being followed and that appropriate and correct reporting is being accomplished. Tracks fire danger within the Region and around the country; develops and carries out long and short-term fire resource mobilization plans through interagency geographic coordination groups to ensure appropriate fire response. Coordinates implementation of Agency aviation, prescribed and wildland fire program with the interagency community.

Keeps informed and aware of fire program initiatives,developments and practices of wild land fire science and research.

Ensures that Region's fire program training needs and qualifications criteria are met. Coordinates with other agencies in planning and conducting training, as needed. Approves unusual or out of the ordinary training.

Oversees Region's systematic use and implementation of the Department's Wild land Fire Computer System.

Conducts and arranges functional inspection/program review of refuge fire management activities for compliance with approved plans, rules, regulations, policies, guidelines and to ensure a high level of equity between participating refuges and regions.

Reviews long-range fire management plans that include policies, objectives, priorities, and the correlation and integration of fire management into the field station's overall habitat management program.

Provides expertise and advice to refuges on matters concerning wildland urban interface fire issues and problems.

In the absence of the RFMO, the incumbent may or may not provide supervision and/or oversight of the regional fire management program staff. These positions could include Regional Aviation Manager, Regional Wild and Fire Safety Specialist, Regional Wildland Fire Management Specialist, Regional Prescribed Fire Specialist, Regional Fire Ecologist, Regional Fire Management Monitoring Specialist, Geographic Area Fire Weather Meteorologist, Regional Wild land Urban Interface Coordinator, Zone Fire Management Officers, and Fire Management Program Assistant.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by Moderate background investigation
  • Drug testing position
  • Medical Requirements
  • Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform required
  • Time-In-Grade requirements apply to status candidates
  • LMWFA or Public Land Corps eligibles may apply

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by05/19/2020 will be considered.
Basic Education Requirement for the 0401 Series (must meet A or B)
A. Successful completion of a full 4 year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study or specific course requirements in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
B. A combination of education and experience which includes courses equivalent to a major (i.e. 24 semester hours), as described above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination of education and experience must have been sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skill, and abilities required to perform Fire Management work, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4 year course of study with a major study in one of the appropriate fields.

Additional Qualification for the GS-13 grade level
Possess at least one year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level (comparable to GS-12) in the Federal service. Such experience may have included: oversight of Firefighter Safety Program; supervision of a Fire staff; experience with policies and procedures for fire suppression and preparedness; coordination with aircraft operations and acquisitions; monitoring Fire training programs; work with National Interagency working teams and task groups; advise refuge managers; long-range fire management plans.

This key fire management position is categorized under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard as a Fire Management Specialist. Minimum IFPM qualification standards must be met prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at https://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/

IFPM Requirements (Currency not required)
Primary Core Requirement(s): TFLD
Secondary Core Requirement: ICT3 or T2 C&G or RXB2
Note: M-581
is a condition of employment and not a selective factor

Prior experience in wild land firefighting is required in order to carry out the duties of this position. You will not be considered for this position if you do not have prior wild land firefighting experience.

Note: The position is covered under the secondary/administrative category for special firefighter retirement provisions. You may meet qualification requirements but not be eligible for special retirement coverage. If you are not eligible for special retirement coverage, you will be placed in the regular retirement system.

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.

The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures:
Current appointees:
Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA.
·Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency.
·Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND
·Must have performed at an acceptable level.
Former appointees:
·Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency,
·Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years;
·Must apply for position within 2 years after separation,
·Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND
·Must have performed at an acceptable level

Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority:
Note: You must provide a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Compliance Hiring Based for Public Land Corps Service.
(1) In order to be eligible for PLC non-competitive status, a former member of the PLC must provide documentation, as part of their application, verifying their eligibility and meet the following criteria:
(a) Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC;
(b) Applied to a vacancy announcement for which applications are being accepted from individuals with non-competitive status;
(c) Meet the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) minimum qualification standards stated in the vacancy announcement for the position which you are applying; and
(d) Completed his/her most recent Corps service, which provided him/her with a total of 640 hours, inclusive of 120 hours on a PLC project as defined in 16 USC 1723(d), within the last two (2) years.
(2) Appointments must be effected within the two years requirement.
(3) The two year time-frame cannot be extended.
(4) Selectees will be subject to a probationary period.
(5) This authority may be used for General Schedule and Federal Wage System positions.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx

FWS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of 05/19/2020; OR More than one position may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area

A PCS Move is authorized as follows: travel and relocation expenses including reimbursable real estate expenses will be authorized in accordance with the Federal travel regulations excluding contractor-provided home sale. All moving expenses are taxable.

If you are a current U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee and you are transferring from a Region outside of Alaska, you will be eligible to return to a position in your home Region upon completion of a minimum 3-year tour of duty in Alaska. If you exercise this option, your home Region will place you in a position of equivalent grade in the same general occupational classification series that you occupied in Alaska.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
TESTING DESIGNATED POSITION: All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: You must pass a pre-employment medical examination. Also, you may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine if you are maintaining the fitness standards for this position.
DRIVER'S LICENSE: You must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during your tenure.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:
The work is primarily sedentary. There is physical exertion while inspecting and evaluating the conditions of fire management operations sites. This includes walking over rough, uneven terrain in a wide variety of weather conditions. Incumbent is occasionally required to perform physically rigorous assignments and mandatory physical and medical standards applicable to the duties performed is required. Work is normally performed in the office environment and at times in the field viewing incidents or sites. There is exposure to moderate discomforts such as extremes of heat, cold, and inclement weather when performing site visits.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the basic qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the basic qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Ability to resolve atypical, complex fire management problems that exist in rural-urban environments with continuous conflicts involving other government, state agencies, and the private sector where there are extensive conflicts and complex issues to resolve.
  • Knowledge of other agency missions, practices and procedures with regard to fire science/management to interface field station fire plans with neighboring fire programs (i.e., U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, participating state forestry departments, etc.).
  • Knowledge of soil, plant, animal, insects, fungi and soil microorganisms and their relationships with and influences on, fire management programs.
  • Knowledge and skills sufficient to provide technical direction, guidance, and coordination for a broad, highly active and diversified fire management program.
  • Skill in designing, advising, reviewing, and examining plans and the ability to design variable and alternative plans and approaches to fire planning in widely ecologically diversified refuges.
  • Knowledge in fire science and management concepts, i.e., fire ecology, fire behavior, hazard fuel assessment, smoke management, fire meteorology principles, federal and multiple state laws, programs and precedents sufficient to develop, propose, and recommend substantial field area program innovations, significant program changes, or alternate courses of critical fire management action.
  • Skill in development fire management planning throughout a multi-state and multi-refuge area.

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