Open to all current U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees serving under career or career-conditional appointments in the competitive service and current or former time-limited employees eligible under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA). For more information, please refer to the "Required Documents" section of this job announcement.
The employee in this position serves as a permanent, full-time Assistant Fire Management Officer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6, National Wildlife Refuge System, Fire Management Program, located in Lakewood, Colorado.
There are two positions for this vacancy: One position is located in the North Dakota Fire Zone - Duty Station; Devils Lake, North Dakota. The other position is located in the Great Plains Fire Zone - Duty Station; Madison, South Dakota.
Summary
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
Open to all current U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees serving under career or career-conditional appointments in the competitive service and current or former time-limited employees eligible under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA). For more information, please refer to the "Required Documents" section of this job announcement.
The employee in this position serves as a permanent, full-time Assistant Fire Management Officer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6, National Wildlife Refuge System, Fire Management Program, located in Lakewood, Colorado.
There are two positions for this vacancy: One position is located in the North Dakota Fire Zone - Duty Station; Devils Lake, North Dakota. The other position is located in the Great Plains Fire Zone - Duty Station; Madison, South Dakota.
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Travel Required
25% or less - Overnight travel between 5-7 days per month is required to manage wildland and prescribed fire programs throughout the assigned Fire Zone.
Assists the Fire Management Officer (FMO) in planning, developing, implementing, coordinating and evaluating an integrated fire management program activities.
Analyze current fire management plans and make recommendations to meet changing conditions within the limits of current or anticipated funding.
Provides oversight, coordinates and initiates all fire management activities based on firefighter and public safety, cost effectiveness and values to be protected consistent with resource objectives. Provides protection for life, property and resources.
Works with the FMO in the development and implementation of fire prevention plans. Works with other agencies in the development and delivery of cooperative fire prevention programs and training.
Reviews and evaluates fuels management plans to achieve specific ecosystem and resources management objectives. Assists in writing short and long term plans. Communicates issues related to wildland fire, prescribed fire and fire program activities.
Performs the full range of supervisory duties
Most work is performed in an office setting. Field work is sometimes performed 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 employee must exercise a variety of safety practices and precautions for their own and other's well-being.
Completion of a one-year probationary period may be required
Valid state driver's license required
Pre-appointment physical/medical exam required
Drug test required
Prior wildland firefighting experience required
This position requires completion of the specific course of study as reflected above. ALL APPLICANTS, including those who currently, or have previously, occupied a position in this job series, MUST submit a copy of their transcripts (official or unofficial) to verify that they meet these educational requirements. If you have attended more than one university/college or have completed more than one degree, you must submit documentation from each university/college. If the position being filled requires specific classes or a specific number of credits, applicants MUST ensure that the transcripts submitted verify completion of those courses or credits. Failure to submit transcripts that verify qualifying education by the closing date will result in disqualification from further consideration.
Foreign Education: Education completed outside the United States must have been evaluated by a private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials, commonly called a credential evaluation service or education that is recognized by the Secretary of Education from an accredited body. You must submit the credential evaluation with your application to have your education considered.
NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to show how he/she satisfies the course requirements. This may include providing course syllabi or an official course description, as provided by the university course catalog. If you do not provide information that clearly shows how your completed course work meets the specific course requirements above, you will be rated ineligible.
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
For career and career-conditional applicants, Time-in-Grade requirements must be met within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.
Qualifications
In addition to meeting the "Specialized Experience Requirements" listed below, applicants must meet the education requirements as described under "Basic Education Requirements."
The following requirements have been identified as SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS, which must be met to qualify for this position and will be used as screen-out elements. Failure to identify how you meet these selective factors will result in disqualification. Failure to submit your Red Card and training records will results in disqualification. See the "How to Apply" section for instructions on how to submit required support documentation.
Selective Placement Factor 1: All candidates selected for these positions, in addition to meeting minimum qualification requirements as defined by OPM, must also meet or exceed a selective factor which requires a minimum of 90-days of wildland firefighting experience. Wildland firefighting experience is defined as: any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland. Wildland firefighting experience is gained through work on the fire line in containment, control, suppression or use of wildland fire. This experience can be met by serving in a temporary, seasonal, or equivalent private sector fire position for no less than 90-days. Periods of wildland firefighting experience gained through militia and rural fire departments can also be credited as long as the total amount of this experience equates to at least 90-days.
Selective Placement Factor 2: Qualified as a Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3), or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2) with the National Wildfire Coordination Group (NWCG) fire qualification systems or equivalent. You must submit Red card and IQCS training records (or equivalent).
Selective Placement Factor 3: Completion of M-581, Fire Program Management course. You must submit your IQCS training records or equivalent to show proof of completion of the course.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: GS-11: One year of full-time specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the next lower level (equivalent to grade GS-09 in the Federal service), in all of the fire program management elements described as follows:
(1) Reviewing and evaluating fire management plans for ecological soundness and technical adequacy;
(2) Conducting field inspections before and after prescribed or wildland fires to determine if resource objectives were achieved and/or to evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken; and
(3) Developing analysis 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: (a) Professional forest or range inventory methods and procedures (e.g., Brown's planar intercept for dead and down fuels; live fuel loading assessments); (b) Analysis of fuel loadings and determination of appropriate fuel treatment methods and programming; (c) Land use planning and environmental coordination; (d) Evaluation of prescribed burn plans or fire management plans to ensure fire containment is possible and identification of appropriate suppression 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: (a) Mobilization and dispatch coordination; (b) Fire prevention and education; (c) Training; (d) Logistics; (e) Equipment development and deployment; (f) Fire communication systems; (g) Suppression and preparedness; (h) Aviation.
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-11: Successful completion of 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education from an accredited college or university leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to the position being filled.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for the GS-11, which when combined meets 100% of the specialized experience requirements.
If substituting education for the Specialized Experience Requirement, you MUST submit all school transcripts. Only official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Failure to submit transcripts that verify qualifying education by the closing date of the announcement will result in disqualification from further consideration.
Education
BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: 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 in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
B. Combination of education from an accredited college or university and experience -- Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in "A" above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Additional information
Career Transition Assistance Programs: CTAP provides placement assistance for Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or separated. If you are claiming CTAP eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and your most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application. To be considered under CTAP, you must meet the definition of well qualified. For this vacancy, the definition of well-qualified is a score of at least 90 on the application questionnaire. For more information on CTAP, visit: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.
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.
The Federal government offers a number of comprehensive benefits to its employees. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_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.
In addition to the Specialized Experience requirement and any applicable Basic Education requirement, the following competencies are required:
Knowledge of the policies, techniques and practices of wildland firefighting obtained through substantial service as a primary firefighters of the Federal government or in a similar firefighting position outside the Federal government.
Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and concepts of wildland fire management (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.
Knowledge of accepted wildland fire safety practices and procedures.
Skill in oral and written communication sufficient to prepare reports, present training, and coordinate work efforts.
Based on the responses to the questionnaire, a pool of potentially qualified applicants will be established. These applicants will be further evaluated to ensure that job requirements, including Specialized Experience, Basic Education, Selective Factors, and eligibility requirements are met and supported/verified by the resume and other documents submitted. This will include a review of your resume and supporting documentation as compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire.
Full-time work is generally considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in qualifying activities.
IT IS THE APPLICANT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT HIS OR HER RESUME AND ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION FULLY SUPPORT THE EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION CLAIMED IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE. APPLICANTS THAT FAIL TO SUPPORT CLAIMS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.
APPLICANTS WHO DISQUALIFY THEMSELVES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FURTHER.
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.
The Federal government offers a number of comprehensive benefits to its employees. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes: 1. Your Resume. In order to ensure that all required information is provided in your resume, it is strongly suggested that you use the USAJOBS Resume Builder. Additional information about the Resume Builder can be found here: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/How_to_create_your_resume 2. Completed and submitted Assessment Questionnaire 3. Most recent non-award SF-50 "Notice of Personnel Action" that verifies your eligibility (if applicable) 4. All college transcripts (official or unofficial), if qualifying based on education OR if there is a Basic Education Requirement for this position 5. IQCS Record / Red Card
Information for career or career-conditional applicants: You MUST submit a copy of your latest non-award SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action," that shows you are serving under a permanent career or career-conditional appointment (code 1 or 2 in block 24) in the Competitive Service (code 1 in block 34). The SF-50 must show the position title, series, grade, and step of your position. If you have previously held a higher grade than the grade/position you currently occupy, you must submit a copy of the last non-award SF-50 you received for that position. If you have any questions regarding which SF-50's to submit, it is highly recommended that you contact the person listed on this vacancy announcement before the closing date. Although not mandatory for career or career-conditional applicants, you should submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.
Information for Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) applicants: In addition to the documents listed above, applicants applying based on LMWFA eligibility must provide additional documentation to verify their eligibility. At time of application, you must provide documentation of all competitive time-limited appointments to verify that you have 24 months of service. If you have multiple periods of time-limited employment, you must submit proof of each period of employment. You must also provide proof of acceptable level of performance.
Proof of eligibility for LMWFA: 1) Standard Form-50 (SF-50) for all service periods to verify 24 months of eligible service (you may need to submit multiple SF-50's to document each period of time-limited employment) AND; 2) Documentation of performance reviews for all eligible service periods, e.g. annual performance reviews, memorandums or referral letters from supervisor documenting an acceptable performance level, etc.
If you do not have the appropriate documentation, you may obtain this information from the Federal Records Center to document your eligibility. All eligibility documentation must be submitted with your application before the closing date of announcement.
Additional information about the LMWFA is contained in Department of the Interior Personnel Bulletin (Interim) No: 16-03. Two groups of individuals are potentially eligible for appointment under LMWFA: current and/or former employees currently serving, or who have served, under time-limited competitive appointments at land management agencies.
To be eligible for appointment under LMWFA, an applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria: Must be currently, or have been previously, employed by one of the following Land Management Agencies: Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS); -AND- 1) Current land management agency appointees: a. Must have initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to the time-limited (temporary or term) appointment; AND b. Must have served under one (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 two (2) or more years; AND c. Must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service. -OR- 2) Former land management agency appointees: a. Must have initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to the time-limited (temporary or term) appointment; AND b. Must have served under one (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 two (2) or more years; AND c. Must have performed at an acceptable level throughout the service period(s); AND d. Must apply for a position covered by these provisions within two (2) years after their most recent date of separation; AND e. Must have been separated, with respect to their most recent separation, for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All application materials and supporting documentation must be submitted and received by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date of the announcement in order for you to be considered for this vacancy.
It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all application information, including questionnaire, resume, and any additional documents, whether uploaded or faxed, is received, legible, and accurate. HR will not modify questionnaire answers or documents submitted by an applicant.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account, or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the Assessment Questionnaire. Please ensure you click the "Submit My Answers" button.
NOTE: To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account here: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. Select the "Application Status" link and then select the "more information" link for this position. The "Details" page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJobs account and click "Update Application" in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJobs account or your application will be incomplete.
To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload, complete this cover page: https://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf using the following Job Announcement Number: 1974781. Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144.
NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
If you cannot apply online: 1. Click the following link to view and print the assessment questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire, and; 2. Print this 1203FX form to provide your responses to the assessment questionnaire https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203FX.pdf, and; 3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to 1-478-757-3144. Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.
Keep a copy of your fax confirmation in the event verification is needed.
If you cannot complete the application process using one of the options identified in the "How to Apply" section, please contact our office for alternate application procedures.
US Fish and Wildlife Service Colorado
Human Resources
134 Union Blvd
Lakewood, CO 80228
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received, 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.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes: 1. Your Resume. In order to ensure that all required information is provided in your resume, it is strongly suggested that you use the USAJOBS Resume Builder. Additional information about the Resume Builder can be found here: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/How_to_create_your_resume 2. Completed and submitted Assessment Questionnaire 3. Most recent non-award SF-50 "Notice of Personnel Action" that verifies your eligibility (if applicable) 4. All college transcripts (official or unofficial), if qualifying based on education OR if there is a Basic Education Requirement for this position 5. IQCS Record / Red Card
Information for career or career-conditional applicants: You MUST submit a copy of your latest non-award SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action," that shows you are serving under a permanent career or career-conditional appointment (code 1 or 2 in block 24) in the Competitive Service (code 1 in block 34). The SF-50 must show the position title, series, grade, and step of your position. If you have previously held a higher grade than the grade/position you currently occupy, you must submit a copy of the last non-award SF-50 you received for that position. If you have any questions regarding which SF-50's to submit, it is highly recommended that you contact the person listed on this vacancy announcement before the closing date. Although not mandatory for career or career-conditional applicants, you should submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.
Information for Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) applicants: In addition to the documents listed above, applicants applying based on LMWFA eligibility must provide additional documentation to verify their eligibility. At time of application, you must provide documentation of all competitive time-limited appointments to verify that you have 24 months of service. If you have multiple periods of time-limited employment, you must submit proof of each period of employment. You must also provide proof of acceptable level of performance.
Proof of eligibility for LMWFA: 1) Standard Form-50 (SF-50) for all service periods to verify 24 months of eligible service (you may need to submit multiple SF-50's to document each period of time-limited employment) AND; 2) Documentation of performance reviews for all eligible service periods, e.g. annual performance reviews, memorandums or referral letters from supervisor documenting an acceptable performance level, etc.
If you do not have the appropriate documentation, you may obtain this information from the Federal Records Center to document your eligibility. All eligibility documentation must be submitted with your application before the closing date of announcement.
Additional information about the LMWFA is contained in Department of the Interior Personnel Bulletin (Interim) No: 16-03. Two groups of individuals are potentially eligible for appointment under LMWFA: current and/or former employees currently serving, or who have served, under time-limited competitive appointments at land management agencies.
To be eligible for appointment under LMWFA, an applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria: Must be currently, or have been previously, employed by one of the following Land Management Agencies: Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS); -AND- 1) Current land management agency appointees: a. Must have initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to the time-limited (temporary or term) appointment; AND b. Must have served under one (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 two (2) or more years; AND c. Must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service. -OR- 2) Former land management agency appointees: a. Must have initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to the time-limited (temporary or term) appointment; AND b. Must have served under one (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 two (2) or more years; AND c. Must have performed at an acceptable level throughout the service period(s); AND d. Must apply for a position covered by these provisions within two (2) years after their most recent date of separation; AND e. Must have been separated, with respect to their most recent separation, for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All application materials and supporting documentation must be submitted and received by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date of the announcement in order for you to be considered for this vacancy.
It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all application information, including questionnaire, resume, and any additional documents, whether uploaded or faxed, is received, legible, and accurate. HR will not modify questionnaire answers or documents submitted by an applicant.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account, or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the Assessment Questionnaire. Please ensure you click the "Submit My Answers" button.
NOTE: To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account here: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. Select the "Application Status" link and then select the "more information" link for this position. The "Details" page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJobs account and click "Update Application" in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJobs account or your application will be incomplete.
To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload, complete this cover page: https://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf using the following Job Announcement Number: 1974781. Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144.
NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
If you cannot apply online: 1. Click the following link to view and print the assessment questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire, and; 2. Print this 1203FX form to provide your responses to the assessment questionnaire https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203FX.pdf, and; 3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to 1-478-757-3144. Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.
Keep a copy of your fax confirmation in the event verification is needed.
If you cannot complete the application process using one of the options identified in the "How to Apply" section, please contact our office for alternate application procedures.
US Fish and Wildlife Service Colorado
Human Resources
134 Union Blvd
Lakewood, CO 80228
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received, 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.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
