This position is part of the Bureau of Land Management in Fairbanks, Alaska. Information about locations within Alaska can be found at: State of Alaska. This position serves as a Smokejumper Spotter for the Bureau of Land Management Smokejumper Program. The: primary purpose of this position is to direct an aerial attack and delivery operation involving smokejumper, cargo, retardant. and helicopters.
Summary
This position is part of the Bureau of Land Management in Fairbanks, Alaska. Information about locations within Alaska can be found at: State of Alaska. This position serves as a Smokejumper Spotter for the Bureau of Land Management Smokejumper Program. The: primary purpose of this position is to direct an aerial attack and delivery operation involving smokejumper, cargo, retardant. and helicopters.
You may apply if you are a Status Candidate (Merit Promotion, VEOA, Land Management Eligible) and/or a Non-Competitive Hiring Authority Eligible (VRA, 30% Disabled Veteran, Certain Military Spouse, Schedule A, Certain Peace Corps/VISTA Employee/Volunteer, Certain Former Overseas Employee, Foreign Service Employee, CTAP/ICTAP, Interchange Agreement Employee, or if you are employed under a Miscellaneous Authority not regulated by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.)
Assign and supervise smoke-jumpers on project work coordinated with State and Federal agencies.
Perform as a first line supervisor in a technically mixed suppression operation.
Develop performance standards, evaluate work performance, hear and resolve complaints, effect disciplinary measures, identify developmental training needs, and instruct employees on completion of administrative paperwork.
Serve as a smoke jumper in initial attack of wildfires by parachuting into fires and mountainous terrain and landing in timber or on open ground.
Lead firefighters as initial and extended attack commander.
Security Clearance/Background Investigation is required.
Direct Deposit Required.
Must provide resume and supporting documents (See required documents)
You cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
May require completion of a 1 year probationary period.
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Department Interior Free a of Drug Workplace Program.
A valid state driver's license is required and must be obtained prior to employment.
Position subject to medical screening and physical fitness test.
The duties of this position are so rigorous that the employment is limited to young and physically vigorous individuals who must meet established age and physical qualifications requirements.
Incumbent must possess skills and ability to perform duties under stress during periods of extreme complexity caused by multiple fire situations.
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.
Qualifications
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-07 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-08 level and one year at the GS-08 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. (Must submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No award SF-50 will be accepted).
AGE REQUIREMENTS: This position is covered by the law enforcement officer retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d). Applicants for this position must not have reached their 37th birthday upon appointment to this position unless there is sufficient prior Federal service in a covered primarily law enforcement or firefighter position to permit retirement on or before the mandatory retirement age for these types of positions.
In order to qualify for this Forestry Technician (Smokejumper) at the GS-08 grade level, applicants must have at least one year of forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal Service to qualify for the GS-8. This experience includes: 1) assigning smokejumpers on project work; 2) parachuting into fires and mountainous terrain and landing in timber or on open ground; and 3) leading firefighters in initial attacks. (Note: Your resume must demonstrate how you meet this requirement).
In order to qualify for this Forestry Technician (Smokejumper) at the GS-09 grade level, applicants must have at least one year of forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work equivalent to the GS-08 grade level in the Federal Service to qualify for the GS-9. This experience includes: 1) overseeing smokejumpers on project work; 2) planning and directing project work; 3) developing performance standards, instructions and training needs; and 4) leading firefighters in initial and extended attacks. (Note: Your resume must demonstrate how you meet this requirement).
We must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - please be sure to include this information 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. To be creditable, this experience must have been for 1 year and equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled. (If the position was seasonal, your resume must show periods worked.
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. In addition to meeting the qualifications listed above, you must meet the Selective Placement Factor listed below. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified.
Have a minimum of 90 days experience as a smokejumper performing the following duties: performing basic firefighter skills, applying fire line tactics; and parachuting into fires and mountainous terrain landing in timber or on the open ground to fight forest fires.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
Physical Demands: The incumbent must be able to work under extreme physical exertion regularly working 16 hour shifts or longer on the fire line that requires considerable strenuous physical exertion, e.g., long periods of standing; digging; bending; kneeling; running chainsaws; and hiking over rough, uneven, rocky surfaces and through wooded or brush areas including carrying 120 pound packs for up to 5 miles or more through ragged terrain. Incumbent is expected to parachute into this remote terrain under hazardous conditions. Employees must meet the arduous physical and medical standards identified in the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Operations. The incumbent must be prepared, at all times, to respond to a fire situation requiring the quick escape from a potentially fast moving fire in extreme terrain.
Working Conditions: Forty five percent of the work is performed out of doors in a wide variety of weather and terrain conditions or in a crowded airplane. Meals frequently consist of cold rations and sleeping accommodations may be a sleeping bag and a piece of plastic. The remainder of the work in accomplished in a sometimes tense and stressful office environment. Incumbent risks death or serious injury during parachute jumps, cargo dropping, or firefighting.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of09/15/2020
Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied & will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, & recommendation by the position's supervisor.
Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service). Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
You will be required to submit to a drug test & receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
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 at https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspxt.
This position is not eligible for Telework.
Career Transition Assistance (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs (ICTAP): CTAP provides eligible surplus & 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/ICTAP. 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 well qualified if they fall within the best or well qualified categories on the rating criteria for this position.
The Reemployment Priority List is the mechanism agencies use to give reemployment consideration to their former competitive service employees separated by a RIF or who fully recovered from a compensable injury after more than one year. If you are currently on a RPL, you may be given priority consideration.
BLM may use certain incentives, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract high quality applicants.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
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.
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.
Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your rating will be based on your responses to the Job Specific Questionnaire and the information stated in your resume. Answers submitted in the questionnaire must be supported on your resume. If qualified, your score may range from 70-100 points. In addition, interviews may be conducted for this position. The interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis or may be scored. The job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the work of this position.
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.
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.
The following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of this announcement:
1. Your Résumé which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire
3. Other supporting documents, if applicable
- Former PLC Member: Submit a copy of your "Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring" along with a copy of your "PLC Participant Verification Work Hours Sheet," if applicable
- Current/Former Federal employees: Your most recent (non award) Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) showing that you are/were in the competitive service, as well as the highest grade (or promotion potential) held, on a permanent basis and containing information which shows you meet time-in-grade (e.g., STEP increase, etc.) You must submit an SF-50(s) that shows permanent (career/career/conditional tenure) and competitive service eligibility to be considered. You may need to submit more than one SF-50.
- Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Eligibles: SF-50(s) showing career/conditional tenure and competitive service status Documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations, for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.
- Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA); Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) - applies to GS-11 and below; and 30% Disabled Veteran Eligible: DD214 (Mem Copy 4); dated VA letter and SF-15 if claiming 10 pt. preference; OR if you are currently on active duty, a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from the military branch headquarters stating you are expecting to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days from the date of application.
- CTAP/ICTAP: Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; AND most recent performance evaluation; AND SF-50 documenting your separation or the position you will be separated from. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated best or well-qualified 90 or above on the rating criteria for this position.
- Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment Eligibles: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation or benefits office citing disability - eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
- Interchange Agreement with Other Merit Systems Eligible: Documentation of eligibility as listed in each individual interchange agreement.
- Other noncompetitive or special appointing authorities (e.g., Peace Corps, Boren Fellows, etc.) must provide substantiating documentation as required.
-Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.
Visit our website for more information regarding appointment eligibility and requirements for documentation.
To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/15/2020. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
Select if you want to include your demographic information.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
Review and Submit Application.
While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
The eligibility portion of the application process is designed to allow you to choose how you wish to be considered for this announcement. You may choose more than one eligibility. You must provide proof of your eligibility and will only be considered for the questions that you answer "yes".
Please note, your eligibility will be based solely on the selections you have indicated in this section. You must provide the supporting documentation to support your claim to be considered. You may choose more than one eligibility in this section.
BLM Alaska
222 W 7th Ave #13
Anchorage, AK 99513
US
Next steps
Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of this announcement:
1. Your Résumé which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire
3. Other supporting documents, if applicable
- Former PLC Member: Submit a copy of your "Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring" along with a copy of your "PLC Participant Verification Work Hours Sheet," if applicable
- Current/Former Federal employees: Your most recent (non award) Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) showing that you are/were in the competitive service, as well as the highest grade (or promotion potential) held, on a permanent basis and containing information which shows you meet time-in-grade (e.g., STEP increase, etc.) You must submit an SF-50(s) that shows permanent (career/career/conditional tenure) and competitive service eligibility to be considered. You may need to submit more than one SF-50.
- Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Eligibles: SF-50(s) showing career/conditional tenure and competitive service status Documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations, for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.
- Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA); Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) - applies to GS-11 and below; and 30% Disabled Veteran Eligible: DD214 (Mem Copy 4); dated VA letter and SF-15 if claiming 10 pt. preference; OR if you are currently on active duty, a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from the military branch headquarters stating you are expecting to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days from the date of application.
- CTAP/ICTAP: Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; AND most recent performance evaluation; AND SF-50 documenting your separation or the position you will be separated from. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated best or well-qualified 90 or above on the rating criteria for this position.
- Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment Eligibles: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation or benefits office citing disability - eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
- Interchange Agreement with Other Merit Systems Eligible: Documentation of eligibility as listed in each individual interchange agreement.
- Other noncompetitive or special appointing authorities (e.g., Peace Corps, Boren Fellows, etc.) must provide substantiating documentation as required.
-Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.
Visit our website for more information regarding appointment eligibility and requirements for documentation.
To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/15/2020. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
Select if you want to include your demographic information.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
Review and Submit Application.
While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
The eligibility portion of the application process is designed to allow you to choose how you wish to be considered for this announcement. You may choose more than one eligibility. You must provide proof of your eligibility and will only be considered for the questions that you answer "yes".
Please note, your eligibility will be based solely on the selections you have indicated in this section. You must provide the supporting documentation to support your claim to be considered. You may choose more than one eligibility in this section.
BLM Alaska
222 W 7th Ave #13
Anchorage, AK 99513
US
Next steps
Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
