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Forestry Technician, Senior Wildland Firefighter

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our greatest natural resource.

This position is located in Twin Falls, Idaho. Information about the surrounding area may be found here.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open date: 07/17/2020
Closed date: 07/23/2020
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$34,916 - $45,393 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5
Promotion potential
5
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-Time
Travel Required
50% or less - Frequent travel will be required during times of peak fire activity.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
ID-DE-20-10852678-AV
Control number
573820000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens - No previous federal service is required. This announcement is being advertised under a Direct Hiring Authority(DHA). Under this Direct Hire Authority Veterans' Preference and traditional rating and ranking do not apply. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.

Duties

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  • Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents.
  • When positioning and deploying personnel and equipment, recommends best approaches and practices to use in protection of the values at risk
  • Participates in module/crew proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques. Ensures own and welfare and safety of others in all aspects of the assignment.
  • Loads helicopter personnel and cargo considering methods, weight distribution, necessity for securing cargo, total weight, etc. and completes manifests of personnel and equipment being transported to the fire or other work site.
  • May exit helicopter in remote areas to construct helispots, or to attack small fires, hot spots and spot fires.
  • Participates in wildland fire and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression and in the safe.
  • Efficiently operation and set of tools, equipment, and vehicles used in fire suppression activities, with emphasis on those used in the particular function assigned.

Requirements

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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 Lands.
  • Direct Deposit Required.
  • Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.

Qualifications

Physical Demands: Essential functions require arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting. Duties involve fieldwork requiring above average physical performance, endurance and superior conditioning.

Work Environment: The work is primarily performed in forest, range and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with vegetation, and in smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures vary from above 100 degrees F to below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. Personnel must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor sleeping and eating conditions and unpredictable sets of circumstances.

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.

For GS-05: One year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS-04 in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include experience directly related to wildland fire suppression and control activities including suppression, preparedness, prevention, monitoring, hazardous fuels reduction or prescribed burning.

Substitution of Education for the Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GS-05: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as those shown above for GS-04. No more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable to clearly state your undergraduate/graduate degree(s) and submit your college transcripts or a listing of your college courses that includes hours and grades

Education and experience may be combined to meet the specialized experience requirement.

Passage of a pre-employment physical is required. You must also pass the work capacity test for an arduous position.

We expect to fill one vacancy at this time; however, more than one position may be filled from this announcement.

This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard. This position has been categorized as a Senior Firefighter, and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at IFPM.

This is a primary firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). The position is subject to maximum entry age (MEA) requirements. The MEA is the date immediately preceding your 37th birthday. Applicants must not have reached age 37 at the time of appointment, unless proof is provided of prior Federal service in another primary covered position, or you are a preference eligible veteran.

If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in a loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement.

Proof of prior covered service must be submitted prior to employment. Acceptable proof consists of SF-50's showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable appointments and copies of approved letters based on individual claims. Applicants who fail to provide this evidence will not be considered eligible for the position.

THIS IS A DRUG TESTING DESIGNATED POSITION. In accordance with Executive Order 12564, and under the Department's Drug Free Workplace
Program, 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.

You must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position.

You must possess a valid state driver's license by the closing date of the announcement and at all times during your appointment in this position.

Responses to the online job-specific questions must be supported in your resume.

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.

You must meet all IFPM minimum qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard. This position has been categorized as a Senior Firefighter, and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at IFPM.

Selective Placement Factors: 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.

Selective Placement Factor 1: This position is a Primary Firefighter position and is covered under Special Fire Retirement. In accordance with Public Law 107-27, applicants must not have reached age 37 at the time of appointment, unless proof is provided of prior Federal service in another covered position, or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you MAY be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday.

Selective Placement Factor 2: To meet IFPM minimum qualification requirements for the Senior Firefighter, you must possess all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position:

1) Firefighter, Type 1 (FFT1),
2) Additional required training of S-290, "Intermediate Fire Behavior".
3) Incident Commander (ICT5)
4) Helitack Crewmember (HECM)

You must provide a copy of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other equivalent documentation which verifies you meet the required NWCG minimum qualifications for this IFPM position. Failure to provide this documentation by the closing dated of the announcement will result in you being rated as not qualified.

Additional information

May require completion of a 1 year probationary period.

Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at CTAP or ICTAP. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form.

If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form.

CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered qualified if they meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

Reemployment Priority List (RPL): The RPL is the mechanism agencies use to give reemployment consideration to their former competitive service employees separated by a RIF or who have fully recovered from a compensable injury after more than one year. If you are currently on a Reemployment Priority List, you may be given priority consideration.

This position is not eligible for Telework.

This is a Long-Term Career Seasonal appointment; it is expected you will work at least 6 months, but less than 9 months a year. When work or funds are not available, you will be placed in non-pay status.

SELECTIVE SERVICE: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System (https://www.sss.gov/default.htm) website.

This position requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work.

Government facilities are required to provide a smoke free environment for their employees. Smoking will be permitted only in designated areas.

FACT SHEET FOR FIRE/LAW ENFORCEMENT 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.

Because this vacancy will be 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. All qualified candidates will be referred for consideration; the hiring office may conduct interviews at their discretion.

Your answers to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

Aircraft Maintenance
Fire Management
Oral Communication

Bureau of Land Management

BLM is seeking a dynamic and energetic individual to join the team as a Forestry Technincian Senior Wildland FireFighter.

The BLM manages 245 million surface acres. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western States, including Alaska. We are a small bureau with a big and complex job, determining the best combination of uses for public lands based on good science and input from the public both in local communities and across the country. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Agency contact information

Idaho HR
Phone
208-373-3921
Email
BLM_ID_HR_Vacancies@blm.gov
Address
BLM Idaho State Office
BLM Idaho State Office, ID-953
1387 South Vinnell Way
Boise, ID 83709-3904
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Bureau of Land Management, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.blm.gov/

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