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Fire Management Specialist (Prescribed Fire/Fuels)

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. This type of announcement provides the Forest Service with a readily available source of applicants when vacancies occur. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified when there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied. Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates applications are due for these locations can be found on theForest Service website.

See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section for details.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/16/2020 to 08/23/2021
Salary
$52,905 to - $68,777 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Bridgeport, CA
Ashton, ID
Boise, ID
Burley, ID
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel overnight on fire suppression or fire related assignments for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
9
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
21-FIRE-R4OCR-DFPFMP-9DH
Control number
579062400

This job is open to

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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.

Duties

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  • May serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) on fuel management contracts and may be responsible for the preparation of contract specifications and performance measures.
  • Provides professional expertise in the development and implementation of multiple resource objectives. Develops fuels treatment alternatives to support management decisions while adhering to applicable laws, regulations, policies and guidelines.
  • Coordinates with the next higher organizational level, other agencies, cooperators and stakeholders to develop interagency fuels strategies. Represents the organization in multi-agency fuels management activities.
  • Maintains awareness of technological developments in wildland fire science and related disciplines. Collects information through a variety of methods, including field surveys, computer modeling and specific literature searches.
  • Stays abreast of state-of-the-art computer modeling software and scientific methods to support fire use, air quality, and fuel treatment planning an application.
  • Coordinates multi-disciplinary field studies related to fuels management program issues to determine effectiveness of treatments. Coordinates and provides transfer of findings to the appropriate personnel.
  • Responsible for the smoke management program to ensure compliance with state air quality standards. Coordinates with federal, state and local government air quality officials in their development of operational procedures and reporting requirements.
  • Performs fiscal analysis, assists in formulating the annual fuels management budget and maintains a system of accounts to track program expenditures.
  • Serves as a member of an interdisciplinary team planning, developing, and implementing land management plans, compliance documents, and agreements. Provides input and recommends strategies for fuels and fire management.
  • Provides assistance to other resource program managers in the design of fuels management prescriptions and implementation plans. Provides information on fuels management methods to enhance, restore and protect ecosystems.
  • Develops, reviews and monitors fuels management plans. Works closely with other resource specialists to integrate vegetation management project designs in fuels program direction.
  • Reviews environmental documents, prescribed fire plans, and wildland fire use plans of other agencies and stakeholders which will affect the unit. Participates in the development of cooperative agreements to facilitate multi-agency projects.
  • Implements and administers prescribed fire activities, wildland fire use, and fuels management activities to ensure targets are achieved, management objectives are met and mitigation measures are adequate.
  • Monitors fire behavior, evaluates fire effects, identifies potential problems and takes appropriate action. Designs and implements fuels management surveys to document presence, amount, and types of hazardous fuels.
  • Utilizes the results of the surveys to prioritize prescribed fire and fuels management projects. Participates in preparedness reviews, proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and after action reviews.
  • Ensures own and other's welfare and safety in all aspects of project implementation.
  • Identifies training needs and participates in prescribed fire and fuels management, and wildland fire and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression.
  • Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical and other duties as assigned.
  • Duties listed are at full performance grade level.

Requirements

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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.
  • Minimum of 90 days of wildland firefighting experience is required.
  • Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
  • Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver's license; a commercial driver's license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination.
  • 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.

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.

You must possess the Basic Requirements indicated below, plus additional specialized experience and/or education to be considered eligible for this position. This position has a positive education requirement; therefore, a legible copy of your college transcripts is required to be attached to your application prior to the closing date of the announcement; applicants who fail to submit their transcripts will not be given credit for their education. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate specialized experience requirements. The following link provides more information on the qualifications for these positions: Professional and Scientific Positions.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Basic Requirements:

Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major course of study in biological sciences, agriculture or natural resources management, chemistry or at least 24 semester hours in biological sciences, natural resources, wildland fire management, forestry, or agriculture equivalent to a major field of study, plus appropriate experience or additional education that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in the biological sciences, agriculture, or natural resources.

In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional experience is required:

GS-09: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level. Experience must be in at least two of the following three categories:

1. Experience that demonstrated understanding of fire effects on cultural and natural resources. The assignments must have shown participation in activities such as:

  • Developing fire management plans to ensure resource objectives can be met from a fire management standpoint; or
  • Conducting field inspections before and/or after prescribed fires or wildland fires to determine if defined resource objectives have been met.
2. Prescribed fire/fuels management - experience in activities such as:
  • Professional forest or range inventory methods and procedures (e.g., Brown's planar intercept for dead and down fuels; live fuel loading assessments), or
  • Analysis of fuel loadings and determination of appropriate fuel treatment methods and programming, or
  • Evaluating prescribed fire plans or fire management plans to ensure fire containment is possible and identify appropriate suppression contingencies if containment is not obtained.
3. Fire management operations - analyzing and applying fire management strategies, plus experience in at least four of the following activities:
  • Mobilization and dispatch coordination
  • Fire prevention
  • Training
  • Logistics
  • Equipment development and deployment
  • Fire communications systems
  • Suppression and preparedness
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.
Selective Placement Factors:

A minimum 90 days experience performing on-the-line (Primary/Rigorous) wildland fire suppression duties as a member of an organized fire suppression crew or comparable unit that utilized knowledge of wildland fire suppression, containment or control techniques and practices under various conditions. This experience must be documented with specific dates in the online application or resume.

Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirements of Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2) AND Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Engine Boss (ENGB) or Crew Boss (CRWB) or Helicopter Manager (HMGB) or Felling Boss (FELB) or Heavy Equipment Boss (HEQB).

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 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.

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary 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." 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. This announcement constitutes the required 30 days advanced notice for testing requirements.

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

Education

See QUALIFICATIONS section for education requirements.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors.

We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.

Government housing, federal day care facilities, and telework may be available.

These are permanent positions with varying tours of duty and may include weekend work. Some positions may have irregular and protracted hours of work. Tours of duty include full-time or less than full time (guaranteed minimum 13 pay periods full-time employment).

The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates.

Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.

Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email SM.FS.asc_tos@usda.gov

For additional information about the duties and location(s) of these positions, please contact regional representative: Intermountain Region - Matt Nielsen, matthew.nielsen@usda.gov

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/10911944

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