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Forestry Technician (Fire/Fuels)

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position serves in a field fire management organization as a Prescribed Fire/Fuels Technician preparing/implementing prescribed fire plans, fire effects monitoring plans, manual and mechanical hazardous fuels treatments, and smoke and wildland fire use monitoring plans.

Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates applications are due for these locations can be found on theForest Service website.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/10/2020 to 08/09/2021
Salary
$47,899 to - $68,777 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 8 - 9
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Acton, CA
Adin, CA
Alturas, CA
Blairsden, CA
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire related assignments.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation expenses may be authorized. You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
9
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
21-FIRE-R5OCR-DFUEL-89DH
Control number
575710800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL), The public; Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

Duties

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  • Assists in planning, implementing and coordinating all aspects of a prescribed fire and fuels management program. Formulates and develops plans, budgets and schedules for well precedent fire management operations.
  • Implements and administers technical aspects of the prescribed fire/fuels plan, ensures preparation, ignition, holding, mop-up, and rehabilitation are completed to the standards specified and in accordance with regulations, policies, and guidelines.
  • Monitors fire behavior, evaluates fire effects, identifies potential problems and makes recommendations.
  • Develops, prepares, recommends and reviews alternatives for prescribed fire/fuels management plans to perform a wide variety of limited operational projects.
  • Plans, conducts surveys and evaluates data to develop prescriptions for prescribed fire and wildland fire use.
  • Participates in wildland fire and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression and in the safe, efficient operation and use of tools, equipment, and vehicles used in fire suppression activities.
  • Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical capabilities and other duties as assigned.
  • Duties listed are at the full performance level.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
  • Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  • Must be 18 years of age.
  • Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of training.
  • This is a Test Designated Position. You will be tested for illegal drugs prior to appointment and randomly thereafter. Appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results.
  • Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions.
  • Minimum of 90 days of wildland firefighting experience is required
  • Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable)
  • There may be additional Conditions of Employment not listed here, however applicants will be notified of any specific requirements at the time of tentative job offer is made.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

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.

Specialized Experience Requirements

For the GS-08 level one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7); OR two full years (36 semester/54 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level education or master's degree if the coursework is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture); OR combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position (in excess of 18 semester/27 quarter hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

Examples of specialized experience include: Serving as burn boss using various methods in broadcast burning, pile burning, and under burning operations. Performing fire pre-suppression or suppression duties on a fire line controlling wildfire and using fire to accomplish fuel treatment prescriptions. Assisting in monitoring fire behavior, evaluating fire effects, identifying potential problems and making basic recommendations.

For the GS-09 level one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-8); OR two full years (36 semester/54 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level education or master's degree if the coursework is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture); OR combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position (in excess of 18 semester/27 quarter hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

Examples of specialized experience include: Assisting in developing and executing prescribed burning plans for complex burn projects and a wide variety of fuel types. Addressing a broad range of technical fire management problems, such as analyzing on-the-ground fuel conditions and weather. Assisting in developing specific plans for burning projects after analyzing fuels. Recommending direction on priorities, objectives and deadlines for prescribed fire, wildland fire and/or other natural resource activities.

Selective Placement Factors

Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Prescribed Fire Burn Boss (RXB2) -AND- successfully completed the Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Engine Boss (ENGB) -OR- Crew Boss (CRWB) -OR- Helicopter Manager Boss (HMGB) -OR- Felling Boss (FELB -OR- Heavy Equipment Boss (HEQB).

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.

A minimum 90 days experience performing on-the-line (Primary/Rigorous) wildland fire suppression duties as a member of an organized fire suppression crew or comparable unit that utilized knowledge of wildland fire suppression, containment or control techniques and practices under various conditions. This experience, to include, specific duties and specific dates must be documented in your work history/resume.

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.

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 encourage 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.

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

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). At least 90 days of wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history.

Additional information

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.

Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates applications are due for these locations can be found on theForest Service website.

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.

Government housing and telework may be available.

Federal day care facilities are not 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.

The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates.

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.

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 SM.FS.asc_tos@usda.gov.

How you will be evaluated

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

THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. This type of announcement provides the Forest Service with a readily available source of applicants when vacancies occur. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified when there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied. Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates when applications are due for these locations can be found at Forest Service website.

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. 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.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10879238

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