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Wildland Firefighter (Forestry Aid/Technician)

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This announcement has a cut-off date of 12/08/2020. See below for specific details.

Positions at the GS-05 level have been identified as key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard. These positions have been categorized as a Senior Firefighter (SFF), and require 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 the IFPM website.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
11/16/2020 to 01/05/2021
Salary
$13.32 to - $20.41 per hour
Pay scale & grade
GS 3 - 5
Locations
FEW vacancies in the following locations:
Grand Canyon, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Agoura Hills, CA
Essex, CA
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
76% or greater - Frequent/Extensive travel is required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - These are full-time competitive service temporary seasonal positions; not to exceed 6 months.
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
NPS-FIRE-2021-004-DHA
Control number
584584200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all qualified U.S. Citizens. This is a public notice under the Direct Hiring Authority.

Duties

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This is a Public Notice for positions being filled under the Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) for Wildland Fire. Under this recruitment procedure applications will be accepted for each location identified in this Public Notice. To learn more about Direct-Hire Authority, go to: OPM.GOV Hiring Information - DHA.

The National Park Service (NPS) is looking for temporary employees to work on a variety of wildland firefighting crews. Work may include working as a crew member on any of the following types of crews: Fuels, Hand; Helitack (helicopter); Engine; Wildland Fire Module. For more information on Crew Types, click here.

A Wildland Firefighter (GS-03 Forestry Aid) performs assignments as a wildland firefighter crew member in developing a working knowledge of fire suppression and fuels management techniques, practices, and terminology; may assist in more specialized assignments such as backfire and burnout, mobile and stationary engine attack.

A Wildland Firefighter (GS-04 Forestry Technician) is a skilled wildland firefighter. May be assigned to carry out specialized assignments such as tree falling, backfire, and burnout operations; utilizes a variety of specialized tools, equipment and techniques while actively managing wildfires. May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.

A Senior Wildland Firefighter (GS-05 Forestry Technician) is a senior wildland firefighter performing all aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding and mop-up. Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents. May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.

Cut-off Date: The following locations will begin to consider applicants prior to the closing date of the announcement. You must apply on or before the date indicated below to receive first consideration. Thereafter, applications may be considered as needed, during the open period of the announcement:

12/08/2020
Grand Canyon, AZ (Grand Canyon NP)
Tucson, AZ (Saguaro NP)
Agoura Hills, CA (Santa Monica Mtns. NRA)
Essex, CA (Mojave NP)
Mineral, CA (Lassen Volcanic NP)
Sausalito, CA (Golden Gate NRA)
Three Rivers, CA (Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP)
Tulelake, CA (Lava Beds NM)
Whiskeytown, CA (Whiskeytown NRA)
Yosemite NP, CA (Yosemite NP)
Yucca Valley, CA (Joshua Tree NP)
Dinosaur, CO (Dinosaur NM)
Mesa Verde National Park, CO (Mesa Verde NP)
Hawaii National Park, HI (Hawaii Volcanoes NP)
Grants, NM (El Malpais NM)
West Glacier, MT (Glacier NP)
Los Alamos, NM (Bandelier NM)
Boulder City, NV (Lake Mead NRA)
Crater Lake, OR (Crater Lake NP)
Interior, SD (Badlands NP)
Hot Springs, SD (Wind Cave NP)
Springdale, UT (Zion NP)
Bryce Canyon, UT (Bryce Canyon NP)
Ashford, WA (North Cascades NP)
Marblemount, WA (North Cascades NP)
Port Angeles, WA (Olympic NP)
Mammoth Hot Springs, WY (Yellowstone NP)
Colter Bay, WY (Grand Teton NP)
Moose, WY (Grand Teton NP)
Moran, WY (Grand Teton NP)

For contacts and information regarding housing availability visit Fire Contacts on the DOI FIRES Jobs website and select the state you are interested in.

For more information about temporary fire positions with DOI, go to the following link: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/.

During the application process, you may select up to SEVEN (7) locations from the list of available locations in this announcement.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/TESTING: You must pass an initial pre-employment physical examination and must be able to pass the work capacity fitness test (must carry a 45 lb pack for 3 miles within 45 minutes). Failure to meet any of the required medical qualifications will disqualify you for employment. Any condition, which would cause you to be a hazard to yourself or to others, will disqualify you for employment.

DRUG TESTING: Positions require a mandatory pre-employment drug test. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. The drug test will be provided at Government direction and expense. Once hired, employees are also subject to random drug testing during employment. This is in accordance with Executive Order 12564 and under the Department's Drug Free Workplace Program.

Positions may require a valid state driver's license.

Some positions may require a CDL; information will be provided at job offer.

All positions have medical qualification requirements.

Qualifications

To qualify for a GS-03, you must meet at least one of the following:
- 6 months of general work experience, which can be any work experience; OR
- 1 year of education above the high school level, which included at least 6 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: range management; range conservation; agriculture; forestry; wildlife management; engineering; biology; mathematics; other natural or physical sciences; OR
- a combination of education and work experience as described above

To qualify for a GS-04, you must meet at least one of the following:
- 6 months of general work experience, which can be any work experience AND 6 months of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-03 level duties. Examples of specialized work experience include on-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention or suppression work as a trainee wildland firefighter. OR
- 2 years of education above the high school level which included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine biology and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 3 semester hours of mathematics is creditable toward this requirement. OR
- a combination of the education and work experience described above.

To qualify for a GS-05, you must meet at least one of the following AND the Selective Factors:
- 1 year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-04 level duties. Examples include on-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention or suppression work as a skilled wildland firefighter, utilizing a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment. OR
- successful completion of a 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with either: 1. a major study in forestry, range management or agriculture; or a subject matter field directly related to the position; OR 2. at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine biology and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 6 semester hours of mathematics is creditable. The level of the course work must have been equivalent to at least the junior- and senior-year levels of a baccalaureate program; OR
- a combination of education and specialized work experience described above.

Selective Factors for GS-05: In addition to the basic qualifications listed above, you must have possessed the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualification and training requirement to be considered eligible.

1. Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) And
2. Successful completion of S-290 "Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior"

For more information regarding basic qualifications and combining education and experience click here.

**All locations may not be hiring for all grades; check with each location.**

You must meet all qualification requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement.

Additional information

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 website.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: These positions are subject to a pre-employment background investigation. If applicable, the appointment will be subject to successful completion of the background investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to satisfy the background check will result in cancellation of offer of employment or may be grounds for termination.

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 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 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.

Temporary employees hired in wildland fire or wildland fire support positions are eligible for the following:
-Annual, sick leave, and paid federal holidays
-Depending on tour of duty - Sunday, holiday, shift differential and/or hazard pay
-Participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program - Employees electing to participate in the FEHB will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency roles, which is deducted from bi-weekly earnings. After separating from federal employment, employees will be offered to continue participation in FEHB under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) option. Employees electing to continue coverage under the TCC provision will be responsible for the full premium amount plus a 2% administration fee.

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.

Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review will be made to ensure basic qualification requirements are met.

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.

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