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Fire Management Specialist

Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Direct Hire Authority for this occupation and is open to all U.S. Citizens. Since Direct Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veteran''s preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will however be given consideration for this position.


Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
11/03/2020 to 11/16/2020
Salary
$64,009 to - $85,801 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Locations
Hawaii National Park, HI
1 vacancy
Burbank, WA
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel 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
11
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
MR-21-10950175-DP-FDHA
Control number
583333800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This position will be filled under the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority and is open to all United States citizens and U.S. nationals. Veteran's preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications do not apply. All qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration for this position.

Duties

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At the direction of the Fire Management Officer, (FMO) assists in planning and directing fire management program activities.

Analyzes fire management plans and makes recommendations to meet the changing conditions within the limits of current or anticipated funding.

As assigned, completes discrete phases of fire and aviation management plans.

Reviews and provides input into preparedness and operating plans used in the management of wildland fires.

Develops alternative wildland fire strategies and select the appropriate alternative.

Ensures that the fuels management program is consistent with ecosystem management principles and land use plans.

Provides recommendations for the prioritization of fire hazard reduction and fuels management projects.
Reviews and evaluates fuels management and other fire management plans to ensure plan components meet specific ecosystem and resource management objectives.

Coordinates and directs fire management staff on the implementation of fire and aviation management policies, standards, methods, and guidelines.

Develops and oversees the implementation of interagency fire prevention plans.

Briefs internal and external managers on issues related to wildfire, prescribed fire, and fire program activities. Develops and coordinates plans of action with interagency cooperators.

Coordinates program activities with federal, state, tribal, and local government entities/agencies to develop interagency fuels treatment strategies.

Monitors fire season severity predictions, fire behavior, and fire activity levels and takes appropriate actions to ensure safe, efficient, and effective operations.

Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts short-term priorities, prepares schedules for completion of work.

Responsible for the on-the-job safety and health of all employees supervised.

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
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
  • Drug testing position
  • Medical Requirements
  • You must meet Minimum Interagency Fire Program Management qualification standards
  • You must meet specialized experience to qualify
  • Direct HIre Authority will be used to fill this position
  • The incumbent may be required to obtain and properly wear the official Fish and Wildlife Service uniform
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • May be required to successfully complete a supervisory probationary period

Qualifications

This key fire management position is a categorized under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard as a National Wildlife Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualification of Task Force Leader (TFLD) and Incident Commander, Type 3 (ICT3) or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss (RXB2) or Helibase Manager Type 1 (HEB1) and Incident Commander, Type 3 (ICT3). Minimum IFPM qualification standards must be met prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at https://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/.

Prior experience in wild land firefighting is required in order to carry out the duties of this position. You will not be considered for this position if you do not have prior wild land firefighting experience.

Only experience and education obtained by 11/16/2020 will be considered.

GS-401 Series Educational Requirements:
A. Have a Degree: major in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. A photo copy of official transcripts MUST be (uploaded) submitted, by the closing date, to document educational accomplishments to receive consideration for this position; OR

B. Have an appropriate combination of education and experience that included course work equivalent to a major (i.e. 24 semester hours) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a discipline related to this position; PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four year course of study with a major as described above. A photo copy of official transcripts MUST be (uploaded) submitted, by the closing date, to document educational accomplishments to receive consideration for this position. And


You may qualify at the GS-11 level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:
  1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your ability in applying the knowledge of the theories, principles, and methodology of fire ecology, fire behavior, fire hazard and risk analysis, fuel volume and flammability assessment, fire suppression techniques, meteorology, aircraft and equipment operation characteristics, in developing and implementing a fire management and prescribed burn program; and applying knowledge of fire management policy and administrative processes (including fire management planning and administration, and budget planning); OR
  2. A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of a LL.M. degree, if related. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position, examples of qualifying fields include a field directly related to fire science, fire management, biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or related disciplines; OR
  3. A combination of education and experience as listed above.

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.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been or may be involuntarily separated (e.g. reduction in force, declining to relocate/transfer outside their local commuting area) from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. If you are a CTAP or ICTAP eligible, you will be considered well qualified if you: (1) meet the minimum qualification requirements listed in the vacancy announcement; (2) possess the knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies that exceed the minimum qualification requirements enabling you to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry as determined by at least one subject matter expert; and (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal or Removal Notice; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; or Removal and most recent performance appraisal.). For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx

FWS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

More than one position may be filled from this announcement.

A PCS Move is authorized as follows: travel and relocation expenses including reimbursable real estate expenses will be authorized in accordance with the Federal travel regulations excluding contractor-provided home sale. All moving expenses are taxable.

Supervisory Probationary Period: If you have not previously completed a supervisory probationary period, you will be required to serve a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period for this position.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

TESTING DESIGNATED POSITION: All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: You must pass a pre-employment medical examination. Also, you may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine if you are maintaining the fitness standards for this position.
DRIVER'S LICENSE: You must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during your tenure.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the basic qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the basic qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration. Applicants will not be rated or ranked. Veteran's Preference does not apply. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

1. Professional knowledge of natural resource management, fire ecology, fire behavior, and fire management theories, concepts, principles, and standards in a wildland fire environment.

2. Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and concepts of wildland fire management (e.g., fire effects, fire hazard and risk analysis, fuel and flammability assessment, smoke management, incident management, prescribed fire, and fire use) sufficient to perform program development and oversight for the fire and aviation management programs.

3. Knowledge of the policies, techniques and practices of wildland firefighting obtained through substantial service as a primary firefighter of the Federal government or in a similar firefighting position outside the Federal government. This is a mandatory requirement of this position.

4. Skill in oral and written communication sufficient to prepare reports, present training, and coordinate work efforts.

All applications that are verified to meet the basic qualifications will be referred to the selecting official.

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