Clarification from the agency

This position will be filled under the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority and is open to all United States citizens and U.S. nationals. Veteran's preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications do not apply. All qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration for this position.

Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work; assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees; evaluates work performance of employees; provides advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on work and administrative matters; interviews candidates for positions; hears and resolves complaints from employees; effects disciplinary measures; identifies developmental and training needs of employees, provides and/or arranges for needed development and training; finds ways to improve production and increase the quality of the work directed; and develops performance standards.

As a second level supervisor the incumbent utilizes subordinate supervisors and/or leaders to direct, coordinate, and oversee the work of the employees in the organization. Exercises significant responsibilities in dealing with officials of other offices or organizations, and in advising management officials of higher rank; assures reasonable equity of performance standards and rating techniques developed by subordinate supervisors; makes decisions on work problems presented by subordinate supervisors, team leaders, contractors, or similar personnel; evaluates subordinate supervisors or leaders and serves as the reviewing official on evaluations of nonsupervisory employees rated by subordinate supervisors; makes or approves selections for subordinate nonsupervisory positions; recommends selections for subordinate supervisory positions and leader positions; hears and resolves group grievances and serious employee complaints; makes decisions on non-routine, costly, or controversial training needs and training requests related to employees of the organization; approves expenses comparable to within-grade increases, extensive overtime, and employee travel; and finds and implements ways to eliminate or reduce significant bottlenecks and barriers to production, promote team building, or improve business practices.

Directs all phases of the fire management program and is responsible for its planning, program direction, coordination and evaluation. Analyzes fire management plans and initiates changes within guidelines or makes recommendations to meet changing conditions within the limits of current or anticipated funding. Ensures that the fire management program is in compliance with environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Provides leadership, coordination and direction in the application of standards, methods, and guidelines for all fire and aviation management program elements. Provides advice and guidance in the implementation of policies and standards received from higher authorities.

Ensures that the fire prevention program is effective and meets short-term objectives and long term goals. Develops and reviews fire prevention plans. Works with other agencies in the development and delivery of cooperative fire prevention programs and training.

Develops and implements a communication plan. Briefs decision makers. Coordinates plans of action with affected cooperators. Ensures information related to wildland fire, prescribed fire, and fire program components for internal and external audiences is accurate and timely.

Coordinates program activities with federal, state, tribal, and local government entities/agencies. Develops, implements and administers grants and agreements (e.g., Emergency Equipment Rental Agreements, mutual assistance, and Rural Fire Assistance).

Serves on various interagency committees, teams and work groups dealing with specific local, geographic or national fire management issues. Identifies research needs and applies new technology. Manages aviation programs or operations.

Directs and supervises all phases of the budget formulation process to assure balance in the fire organization at varying levels of funding, and initiates changes as appropriate. Monitors the expenditure of funds to assure fiscal integrity.
Manages the environmental and workplace hazards of the wildland fire environment and provides leadership and direction to subordinates in the recognition and mitigation of these hazards following applicable laws, policies, and guidelines. Personal accountability and zero tolerance for unsafe acts are paramount.

Responsible for the on-the-job safety and health of all employees supervised. Ensures that a comprehensive job hazard analysis is conducted, and a risk management process is implemented.

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 Non-Sensitive Moderate background investigation
• Drug testing position
• Medical Requirements
• Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform required
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• You must meet specialized experience to qualify
• Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position

Qualifications

This key fire management position is a categorized under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard as a Unit Fire Program Manager (UFPM) (High Complexity). 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/.

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.
Only experience and education obtained by 03/05/2021 will be considered.
Basic Requirements for the 0401 Occupational Series (must meet A or B below to qualify:
A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, or related discipline appropriate to the position being filled.

OR­

B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in biological sciences, agriculture, or natural resources - or at least 24 semester hours in biological sciences, natural resources, wildland fire management, forestry, or agriculture course work equivalent to a major field of study -- plus -- appropriate experience or -additional education that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in the biological sciences; agriculture, or natural resources.

Specialized Experience Requirements: In addition to meeting one of the basic entry requirements listed above, you must have the appropriate specialized experience as described below:
You must have at least one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the next lower level (equivalent to grade GS-11) in the Federal service.
Applicants must have a minimum of one year of creditable specialized wildland fire management experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Possession of the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities can be evidenced by:
- reviewing and evaluating fire management plans for ecological soundness and technical adequacy.
- conducting field inspections before and after prescribed or wildland fires to determine if objectives were achieved and/or evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken.
- developing analyses on the ecological role of fire and its use and/or exclusion, and smoke management.

In addition to fire program management, appropriate experience must have included either prescribed fire/fuels management - OR - fire management operations as described below:
Prescribed fire/fuels management - experience in a broad range of activities such as:
- inventory methods and procedures
- fuel treatment methods and programming
- land use planning and environmental coordination
- evaluating prescribed burn plans or fire management plans to ensure containment is possible and identify contingencies if containment is not obtained.
Fire management operations - analyzing and applying fire management strategies, plus experience in at least five of the following activities:
- mobilization and dispatch coordination
- fire prevention and education
- training
- logistics
- equipment development and deployment
- fire communication systems
- suppression and preparedness
- aviation

NWCG INCIDENT MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATIONS (CURRENCY NOT REQUIRED):
High Pathway #1
1) Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS)
2) Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, Type 2 (RXB2)
-OR-
High Pathway #2
1) Air Support Group Supervisor (ASGS)
2) Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3)

"Fire Program Management" (M-581) is no longer a selective factor and is now a condition of employment.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

All applicants who submit a complete and legible application by the closing date of this vacancy announcement {or cut-off} will have their qualifications reviewed to determine if they possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the work of this position.

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

• Knowledge of supervisory policies, procedures, and methods in order to manage a diverse workforce.
• Skill in oral communication sufficient to prepare reports, present training, and coordinate work efforts.
• Skill in written communication sufficient to prepare reports, present training, and coordinate work efforts.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and concepts of wildland fire management (e.g., fire effects, fire hazard and risk analysis, fuel and flammability assessment, smoke management, incident management, prescribed fire, and fire use) sufficient to perform program development and oversight for the fire and aviation management programs.
• Ability to interact with individuals and special interest groups with diverse and potentially conflicting viewpoints regarding natural and cultural resource management priorities.
• Knowledge of budgeting policy, procedures and techniques sufficient to develop program budgets and annual work plans.
• Knowledge of the policies, techniques and practices of wildland firefighting obtained through substantial service as a primary firefighter of the Federal government or in a similar firefighting position outside the Federal government. This is a mandatory requirement of this position.