Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

• Implements a comprehensive physical training program to enhance the ability of crewmembers to perform the required arduous firefighting duties. Maintains personnel incident related qualification, agency requirements, and local and state laws.
• Independently or jointly develops training programs (mandatory, formal and informal) to comply with plans and implements field projects.
• Demonstrates leadership in establishing and maintaining a work environment that is free from discrimination and creates a sense of inclusion and support for all employees in the workplace.
• Duties listed are at the full performance level.
• Coordinates the activities of a unit or team of firefighters in wildland fire suppression situations.
• Performs various technical duties that involve differing and unrelated processes and methods, shifting frequently from one technical assignment to other, substantially different tasks.
• Recognizes, reacts to and communicates changes in predicted weather and fire behavior, topography and fuel types, and adapts planned strategies and tactics.
• Performs in other assignments on incidents involving wildland urban interface/intermix situations, or other incidents which may require other specialized training and qualifications; i.e. Incident Commander, etc.
• Responsible for directing a module of a 10 or 20 person Hotshot Crew, and is qualified to assume full responsibility in the absence of the Hotshot Crew Superintendent.
• Assigns resources, conducts safety meetings, monitors work quality and quantity, tracks budget expenditures, and reports work progress and project accomplishments.
• Works with other agency management objectives and policies, including the full range of suppression tactics and ecosystem management practices.
• Executes prescribed burns as a fully qualified burn boss. May also serve in the prescribed burn organization in other roles such as lighting boss, holding boss, or as qualified.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of training.
• This is a Test Designated Position. You will be tested for illegal drugs prior to appointment and randomly thereafter. Appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results.
• Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
• There may be additional Conditions of Employment not listed here, however applicants will be notified of any specific requirements at the time a tentative job offer is made.
• Under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the requirement.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GS-07 level one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6).

Examples of specialized experience are: Served on a specialty crew (hotshot, helitack, engines, etc.) or assigned to lead fire suppression under the most adverse conditions of climate, fuels, and terrain and/or Performed interdisciplinary tactical methods and techniques for use of water and other additives in controlling and mopping-up fires in order to efficiently and effectively accomplish operations where water was in short supply.

For the GS-08 level one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7).

Examples of specialized experience are: Independently practiced methods and procedures associated with wildfire suppression to resolve a full range of irregular or problem situations when suppressing wildland fires and/or Plans and implements field projects that included setting priorities, identifying objectives, coordinating resources, obtaining vehicles, supplies and equipment, developing job hazard analysis, and conducting job skill training and/or Independently performed many technical specializations such as felling and saw repair used in fire suppression and prescribed burning and ensured equipment has been kept in full state of readiness for emergency dispatch.

Selective Placement Factors

Successful completion of the Primary NWCG Core Requirements of Strike Team Leader Crew (STCR) -OR- Successful completion of the Primary NWCG Core Requirements of Task Force Leader (TFLD). Successful completion of the Secondary NWCG Core Requirements of Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4).

Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement.

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.

This position has been identified as High or Moderate or Low Complexity under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) or Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) and is subject to selective placement factor requirements contained in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard and Guide when filling this vacancy. IFPM or FS-FPM selective placement factors are made up of a primary and secondary National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) core Incident Management Qualifications and Required Training. The applicant must possess these qualifications at the applicable complexity level to be considered eligible for this position.

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.

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a primary/rigorous position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System.

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.

To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10802702