This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/476780400. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
This position serves as a Wildland Firefighter Apprentice on various wildland fire crews with responsibility for the operation and maintenance of specialized tools or equipment. The incumbent will be assigned into one or more types of positions within the wildfire program where the individual’s specialized skills are required at one or more locations thoughout the forest service.
As part of the Wildland Firefighter Apprentice Program, If selected, you may be subject to random mobilization that could last up to six months in order to develop the knowledge, skills and requirements of the position.
Information about the Wildland Fire Apprentice program can be found at: www.wfap.net/index.html
These are permanent positions with varying tours of duty and may include weekend work. Tours of duty are less than full-time seasonal (guaranteed minimum 6 months/13 pay periods of full-time employment).
This position is being concurrently announced under USDA Demonstration Project procedures (open to US Citizens) under announcement number 17-FIREFALL-WFAP-345DP. Current or former Federal employees and candidates eligible for special hiring authorities may apply to both announcements, but should be sure to apply to this Merit Promotion Announcement in order to avoid losing consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement.
Pay rates vary depending on location. See the OPM website at http://www.opm.gov/ for additional information on pay rates.
08/11/2017 to 08/28/2017
$32,844 - $42,702 per year
GS 05
MANY vacancies in the following locations:
Occasional travel - Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire related assignments.
Yes—Entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. Relocation benefits in addition to the basic expenses may be negotiated with selectee.
Permanent
Full-Time
05
No
17-FIREFALL-WFAP-5G
476780400
Serves as an apprentice fire fighter on a wildland fire crew performing fire suppression and/or fuels management duties under the most adverse conditions or climate, fuels and terrain.
Performs various aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding and mop-up. Driving engines to fire locations, frequently over unimproved roads. Starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose and using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and additives. Loading helicopter personnel and cargo considering methods, weight distribution, necessity for securing, total weight, etc. and completes manifests of personnel and equipment being transported to the fire or other work site.
Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical and other duties as assigned.
Current permanent Federal employees with competitive status, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP, VEOA, VRA, and reinstatement eligibles, Farm Service Agency permanent county employees; 30% or more disabled veterans; Individuals with Disabilities; former Peace Corps or VISTA volunteers; certain Military Spouses; and those eligible for other Hiring Authorities.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must be 18 years of age.
Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of training.
May be subject to satisfactory completion of one year probationary or trial period.
DRUG TESTING: This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
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 encouraged to consult with your physician and begin training immediately if applying for this position.
Physical Fitness Statement: You are being deployed to a challenging physical environment. You may encounter extremely dusty conditions, significant air pollution, high elevations, lack of potable water, food and waterbourne diseases, and communicable diseases. You will need to walk distances of a half-mile or more, run and step up to 2 feet while wearing a helmet and body armor that together weigh a minimum of 30 pounds. Medical care will be limited.
This position may require the selectee to possess a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and therefore, is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Department of Transportation (DOT)/Forest Service Alcohol and Controlled Substance Testing Program. Applicant tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use unless they currently occupy a TDP under the DOT/Forest Service Alcohol and Controlled Substances Testing Program. Final appointment is conditional on a negative drug test. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice for testing requirements.
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.
To receive consideration for this position, you must meet all requirements as of the closing date of the announcement.
APPRENTICE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
There are conditions of employment for this position. The selected applicant must complete the provision of the National Apprenticeship Standards. These conditions of employment may change during the term of the apprenticeship as approved by the National Interagency Joint Apprentice Committee (NIJAC).
National Apprentice Standards can be found at http://www.wfap.net/forms/Final_Standards9_24_10.pdf
Conditions of employment include:
1. Formal Classroom training consisting of the Wildland Fire Academy (both Basic and Advance Academies) at the Wildland Fire Training Center.
2. 3,000 hours of on-the-job training as well as hours in the related instruction and supplemental technical training.
3. Formal class work at the identified passing level.
Selected applicants who do not meet these conditions of employment may be subject to removal from position.
We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
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.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND FINGERPRINT CHECK: Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation.
Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choice.
E-Verify: Federal law requires agencies to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. If you are selected as a newly hired employee, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS 'E-VERIFY' system. Under the system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
Government housing may be available.
Forest Service daycare facilities may be available.
This position may be eligible for situational or regular telework.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL or ICTAP eligible see http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ . To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better.
See https://www.congress.gov/114/plaws/publ47/PLAW-114publ47.pdf.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below:
Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need to meet minimum qualifications to be referred.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.
Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply Online" button to the right.
The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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.
Please view Tips for Applicants – a guide to the Forest Service application process.
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, click "Apply Online" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.
NOTE: You must verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the Agency's staffing system. Applicants may combine all like required documents (e.g., all SF-50s) into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping like documents into files will simplify the application process. Documents must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signature, or other encryption to open.
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/476780400. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.