Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens - No previous federal service is required. This position is being advertised under an OPM government-wide Direct Hire authority. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.

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• Serves as a Supervisory Wildland Firefighter on a Wildland Fire Module.
• Supervises multiple Supervisory Wildland Firefighters and provides second-level supervision over staff.
• Performs administrative program management functions such as planning; managing budget; manages facilities and resources; and develops and implements training.
• Applies knowledge of firefighter safety, fire behavior, topography of the area, weather, fuels, and training in fire management.
• Adjusts actions based on changing information and evolving situational awareness.
• Determines appropriate fireline tactics and properly locates fireline and determines appropriate construction methods.
• Procures and maintains inventory tools and equipment.
• Develops and implements a physical training program to enhance the ability of crewmembers.
• Maintains working relationships and pre-incident coordination with applicable cooperators and wildland fire responders.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Be sure to read the HOW TO APPLY and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS Sections.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license; nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Land.
• Direct Deposit Required.
• Background Investigation Required.
• Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination. Failure to possess or obtain a favorable determination will result in the cancellation of the offer or will be grounds for termination.
• Supervisory Probationary Period: If you are selected for this position, you will be required to serve a one year supervisory probationary period if one has not previously been completed.
• You must meet specified levels on annual physical fitness tests, and pass periodic medical exams for wildland fire personnel, commensurate with current incident management qualification.
• You must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position.
• You must pass a pre-employment physical.
• Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use and to pass the test prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• This position requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work during peak fire season.
• Position requires a valid state driver's license to operate light vehicles and 4x4 vehicles. May require additional specialized training and certification to operate specialized vehicles and equipment.
• Position may require the incumbent to obtain and maintain a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Qualifications

Specialized Experience Requirements:
In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement; please be sure to include this information in your resume. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled.

To qualify for the GW-10 grade level:

• If you are a current or former federal employee who served in a competitive or excepted appointment, your resume must show that you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/GW-08 grade level. Examples include, but are not limited to: performing and/or leading wildland fire suppression activities within a Wildland Fire Module or similarly constructed component of a wildland fire management program; determining preparedness and suppression needs; assisting with developing and implementing fire management projects related to prescribed fire, and/or hazardous fuel mitigation; and assisting with developing and presenting fire training courses centered in incident command, fire suppression, fireline construction, and/or mop-up techniques. Please provide an SF50 with your application package to verify that you are a current or former federal employee.
• If you have never been or are NOT a current federal employee who served in a competitive or excepted appointment, your resume must show that you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/GW-09 grade level. Examples include, but are not limited to: supervising wildland fire suppression activities within a Wildland Fire Module or similarly constructed component of a wildland fire management program; determining preparedness and suppression needs; developing and implementing fire management projects related to prescribed fire, and/or hazardous fuel mitigation; making judgements and adjustments to fire incident tactics under changing conditions; and developing and presenting fire training courses centered in incident command, fire suppression, fireline construction, and/or mop-up techniques.

Substitution of Education for Experience:
There is no substitution of education for experience at this grade level.

Selective Placement Factor(s): This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified. This position has been categorized as a Wildland Fire Module Leader position and requires the selectee to meet minimum National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualification standards prior to being placed into the position.

You must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management (qualifications to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required):

A.) Task Force Leader (TFLD); AND
B.) Incident Commander, Type 4 (ICT4); AND
C.) Firing Boss (FIRB); AND

You must meet all qualification and selective placement factor requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Demands: Arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, 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 activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity.

Work Environment: Forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. May be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time.

This is a secondary/administrative firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age policy, the selectee must have prior service in a primary position (3 years of service in primary/rigorous position(s)) and meet the transfer requirement for movement from a primary to secondary position to be eligible for special retirement coverage. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your SF-50). YOU MUST LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN A PRIMARY POSITION.

FACT SHEET for Fire Positions: Information on Special Retirement.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on how your application materials reflect the qualification requirements of this position.

Once the job opportunity announcement closes, your resume and all supporting documents will be reviewed by HR to determine your eligibility for Federal employment and your qualifications for this position specifically. Due to this vacancy being filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to positions filled under this announcement. Applications received as a result of job fairs, recruitment events, and emergency hiring mechanisms in support of this hiring initiative will also be accepted during the duration of the announcement. All qualified candidates will be referred for consideration; the hiring office may conduct interviews at their discretion. Interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis.

Your responses to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and/or job elements) in the following areas:

• Fire Management
• Leadership
• Technical Competence