This vacancy is for multiple Training Specialists within the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Branch of Fire Management, Duty Station TBD from the following Regions: Eastern, Eastern Oklahoma, Midwest, Navajo, Pacific, Rocky Mountain, Southern Plains, Southwest, and Western Regions.
This announcement will be used to fill vacancies utilizing the Direct-Hire Authority (5CFR 337.201). Category rating, veteran's preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do NOT apply for this vacancy.
Summary
This vacancy is for multiple Training Specialists within the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Branch of Fire Management, Duty Station TBD from the following Regions: Eastern, Eastern Oklahoma, Midwest, Navajo, Pacific, Rocky Mountain, Southern Plains, Southwest, and Western Regions.
This announcement will be used to fill vacancies utilizing the Direct-Hire Authority (5CFR 337.201). Category rating, veteran's preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do NOT apply for this vacancy.
ALL U.S. CITIZENS. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: These positions will be filled using Direct Hire Authority for this occupation. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.
Serve as a regional Wildland Fire Training Specialist/Officer and technical advisor to the Regional Fire Management Officer.
Responsible to formulate and coordinate the planning, development, implementation, documentation, and delivery of wildland fire training courses, regional succession planning, and workforce development.
Provide program leadership and direction in fire management training for a regional BIA Fire Management Program.
Works with the regional and unit fire management officers to assist with training needs through the design and development of comprehensive fire management training curriculum, courses, and materials
Assures integration and coordination among these programs to ensure that training programs and materials reflect fire management policy direction, objectives, and regulations
Evaluates inter-agency fire management training courses and assists in development of new national and regional courses to meet training needs and skills requirements.
You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit
You may be required to successfully complete a probationary period
A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
If you are a male applicant born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
This position requires the incumbent to possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
Qualifications
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for Administrative and Management Positions and Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-1712: Training Instruction Series)
BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR GS-1712: A. Undergraduate or Graduate Education - in a major field of study that is directly related to this position. Examples of directly related education: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position such as environmental science, environmental management, earth science, and atmospheric science, or closely related to Training Instruction discipline appropriate to the position. -OR-
B. Specialized Experience - that demonstrates practical knowledge of this position and of the methods and techniques of instruction. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:
Teaching or instructing in an adult education program, secondary school, college, military installation, or industrial establishment in the appropriate field(s).
Supervising or administering a training program.
Development or review of training/course materials, aids, devices, etc., and evaluation of training results.
Work in the occupation or subject-matter field of the position to be filled that required training or instructing others on a regular basis.
IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR THE GS-1712 SERIES, APPLICANTS MUST ALSO HAVE THE FOLLOWING:
GS-09: 1 year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal Service grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service (as described below); OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL. B or J.D., in a field related to this position.
Specialized experienceincludes at least 2 of the 4 following duties: 1.) Takes part in fire management training for a Fire Management Program, assisted with training needs through the design and development of comprehensive fire management training curriculum, courses, and materials; 2.) Monitors and tracks the development of training programs to achieve workforce capability and capacity goals at a local level; 3.) Provides oversight in areas of administrative operations in different components of the organization. 4.) Assists with defining viable career paths to ensure future fire, fuels, and aviation management personnel achieve experience, training, and education; examines mechanism for career advising; and fosters student success.
GS-11: 1 year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal Service grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service (as described below); OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M., in a field related to this position.
Specialized experience includes at least 3 of the 5 following duties: 1.) Provide program leadership and direction in fire management training for a Fire Management Program. Works with the regional and unit fire management officers to assist with training needs through the design and development of comprehensive fire management training curriculum, courses, and materials; 2.) Monitors and tracks the development of training programs to achieve workforce capability and capacity goals.; 3.) Coordinates the development of annual program of work and budget proposals to support regional training and workforce development programs. coordinates budget development with other staff areas and coordinates the annual reporting of program accomplishments; 4.) expertise in all areas of administrative operations in different components of the organization.
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: This is a MANDATORY qualification prerequisite to qualify for this position. Applicant must have possessed the following qualifications to be considered eligible for this position:
Prior Wildland Firefighting Experience: This is an administrative position in an organization having a firefighting mission and is clearly in an established career path. Prior firefighting experience, as gained by substantial service in a primary firefighter position or equivalent experience outside the Federal government is a MANDATORY PREREQUISITE. Wildland firefighting experience is required to meet qualifications for secondary (administrative) covered positions. The Department of Interior defines wildland firefighting experience as: On-the-line wildland firefighting experience gained through containment, control, suppression, or use of wildland fire. Wildland fire is defined as any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland. Two distinct types of wildland fire have been defined and include wildfire and prescribed fires as follows: 1) Wildfires - unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires; 2) Prescribed Fires - Planned ignitions. This description includes only fireline experience on a Prescribed Fire; it does not include experience in the planning stages. Prescribed fire experience must be supplemented by fire suppression experience in order to be creditable as previous wildland firefighting experience.
NOTE: Selective factors are knowledges, skills, abilities, or special qualifications that are in addition to the minimum requirements in a qualification standard but are determined to be essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Applicants who do not meet the selective factors are ineligible for further consideration.
FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This position is covered under the secondary/administrative firefighter special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c)(CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d)(FERS) when it is filled by an incumbent who transfers directly from a primary or another secondary law enforcement or firefighting position with no break in service to this position. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent will depend upon his or her individual work history. You may meet the 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.
FERS TRANSITION REQUIREMENT: To be eligible for Secondary retirement coverage under FERS, an employee must: 1) transfer directly (without a break in service exceeding 3 days) from a primary position to a secondary position, AND 2) complete 3 years of service in a primary rigorous position including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld, AND 3) must be continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a primary rigorous position, except for any break in employment from a secondary position that began with involuntary separation (not for cause).
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your special retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your work history or other documentation that demonstrates work history of approved covered positions).
You must let this office know if you are in a Primary coverage position.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the closing date.
Education
If you are qualifying based on your education, you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
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.
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.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education which shows the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: FOREIGN EDUCATION
Additional information
Indian Preference Policy: Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC Section 472). Verification form BIA-4432 must be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference. No other documents will be accepted as proof of Indian Preference.
All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2024 Salary Tables here and select the duty station from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Anadarko, Oklahoma, Billings, Montana, Bloomington, Minnesota, Fort Defiance, Arizona, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Nashville, Tennessee, Phoenix, Arizona, Redding, California, Riverside, California, and Sacramento, California to choose the appropriate pay chart. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart.
SALARY WILL BE SET IN ACCORDANCE WITH PAY SCALE OF FINALIZED LOCATION.
A supplemental pay increase of $20,000 or 50% of base pay per year, is currently authorized under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will apply as long as funding is available.
TELEWORK: Indian Affairs management has determined that the duties of the position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
The full performance level of this position is GS-11. Promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. A career ladder promotion is at the discretion of management, and in no way guaranteed.
This position has been designated as an Incidental Operator under the Indian Affairs Motor Vehicle Safety Program and requires the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle in order to properly carry out his/her assigned duties but whose principal duties are not operating a motor vehicle and his/her position is not classified as a motor vehicle operator. The incumbent will be required initially and annually to acknowledge and certify possession of a valid state driver's license.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) OR Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Programs provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF50 noting position, grade level, duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp
Travel and Relocation Expenses MAY BE authorized in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations. Final determination will be made by Management. In addition, the pay flexibilities of a recruitment bonus, relocation bonus, and student loan repayment MAY BE authorized by the manager (pending location selected to and availability of funds and higher management approval).
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your resume will be evaluated after the closing date to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position described above.
Under this Direct-Hire announcement, all applicants who meet the minimum requirements at the grade level for which they apply will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration. Veteran's Preference and category rating DO NOT APPLY for this announcement under Direct-Hire Authority regulations.
All qualified candidates will be referred for consideration; the hiring office may conduct interviews at their discretion.
If an applicant's resume is incomplete or does not support the requirements for minimum qualifications or specialized experience a rating of "ineligible" or "not qualified" will be applied and no consideration for employment will be granted.
If a determination is made that an applicant has inflated qualifications or experience on the resume, the applicant will receive no consideration for the position, as per OPM regulations.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The following documents are required for this position:
Resume which details work experience including dates worked (mm/yy-mm/yy); position title; position series and grade (if federal service); work schedule; hours worked per week; relevant duties performed; supervisor with contact information, and 3 professional references and contact information (Do not include current/former supervisors), etc. Important! If your resume does not show complete information for each job entry, your application will be considered incomplete. Specifically:
Transcripts (if using education to qualify is required) - Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, an official transcript may be requested at a later time.
BIA Form 4432 The Form BIA-4432 must be completed as stated in the Instructions on the Form and this form with must be submitted with your application for Federal employment (if claiming Indian preference).
Copy of current Incident Qualifications and Certification System (IQCS) Individual Master Report or agency equivalent, if applicable.
If you are applying under CTAP and ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.
If you are unable to apply online, require reasonable accommodation in the application process if you are an applicant with a disability, or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 PM Eastern Time ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. If your application package is incomplete in any way, you will not be considered for this position, and requests for extensions will not be granted. Please double check your application package before you submit it.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE SOLICITED OR ACCEPTED BY THIS OFFICE.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application.
You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your rsum and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position.
Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login ); all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen.
The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated.
For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
PLEASE NOTE - NO APPLICATION MATERIAL WILL BE ACCEPTED VIA E-MAIL.
BIA Strategic Recruitment - Trust
301 NW 6th
Room 311
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
US
Next steps
Once you submit all the required documents and the online application in USAJOBS, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the evaluation process is complete, you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.
You will be notified if this job is filled or canceled. Timelines for this process vary widely.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging in to your USAJobs Account. This office will not respond to requests for status updates.
NOTE:
Physical Demands: Normally the work is sedentary but often requires physical exertion while overseeing fire suppression activities, including walking over rough, steep, uneven terrain in all types of weather. The incumbent is faced with emergency situations at all hours and must quickly respond. The position may require long shifts or multi-day assignments under primitive living conditions during emergencies. During the fire season, extended fire assignments away from the home unit may be required under very stressful conditions.
Working Conditions: Most work is performed in an office setting. Fieldwork is performed in a wildland environment, sometimes in steep terrain where surfaces may be uneven, rocky, or covered with thick vegetation. Temperatures are frequently extreme; both from weather and fire conditions where the presence of smoke and/or dust conditions are frequently severe. The hazardous nature of fire suppression work requires that protective clothing, (boots, hard hats, etc.), be worn during emergencies.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required for this position:
Resume which details work experience including dates worked (mm/yy-mm/yy); position title; position series and grade (if federal service); work schedule; hours worked per week; relevant duties performed; supervisor with contact information, and 3 professional references and contact information (Do not include current/former supervisors), etc. Important! If your resume does not show complete information for each job entry, your application will be considered incomplete. Specifically:
Transcripts (if using education to qualify is required) - Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, an official transcript may be requested at a later time.
BIA Form 4432 The Form BIA-4432 must be completed as stated in the Instructions on the Form and this form with must be submitted with your application for Federal employment (if claiming Indian preference).
Copy of current Incident Qualifications and Certification System (IQCS) Individual Master Report or agency equivalent, if applicable.
If you are applying under CTAP and ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.
If you are unable to apply online, require reasonable accommodation in the application process if you are an applicant with a disability, or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 PM Eastern Time ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. If your application package is incomplete in any way, you will not be considered for this position, and requests for extensions will not be granted. Please double check your application package before you submit it.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE SOLICITED OR ACCEPTED BY THIS OFFICE.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application.
You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your rsum and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position.
Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login ); all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen.
The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated.
For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
PLEASE NOTE - NO APPLICATION MATERIAL WILL BE ACCEPTED VIA E-MAIL.
BIA Strategic Recruitment - Trust
301 NW 6th
Room 311
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
US
Next steps
Once you submit all the required documents and the online application in USAJOBS, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the evaluation process is complete, you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.
You will be notified if this job is filled or canceled. Timelines for this process vary widely.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging in to your USAJobs Account. This office will not respond to requests for status updates.
NOTE:
Physical Demands: Normally the work is sedentary but often requires physical exertion while overseeing fire suppression activities, including walking over rough, steep, uneven terrain in all types of weather. The incumbent is faced with emergency situations at all hours and must quickly respond. The position may require long shifts or multi-day assignments under primitive living conditions during emergencies. During the fire season, extended fire assignments away from the home unit may be required under very stressful conditions.
Working Conditions: Most work is performed in an office setting. Fieldwork is performed in a wildland environment, sometimes in steep terrain where surfaces may be uneven, rocky, or covered with thick vegetation. Temperatures are frequently extreme; both from weather and fire conditions where the presence of smoke and/or dust conditions are frequently severe. The hazardous nature of fire suppression work requires that protective clothing, (boots, hard hats, etc.), be worn during emergencies.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
