Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Equipment Specialist

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in Region 4, Deputy Regional Forester, Fire and Aviation Management.

This position is in the Fire Suppression Section, Fire and Aviation Management, and work involving updating specifications, equipment design, training personnel and maintenance of Fire vehicles and water handling apparatus.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Cathy Baird at cathy.baird@usda.gov.

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
11/02/2021 to 11/15/2021
Salary
$53,433 to - $69,462 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Bridgeport, CA
Topaz, CA
Boise, ID
Cascade, ID
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Overnight travel will be required for fire suppression/fire related assignments, meetings and training for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
22-FIRE-R4SVA-858028DH-SH
Control number
619893000

This job is open to

Help

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

Help
  • Duty station could be one of the locations listed within this vacancy announcement. You must select which duty station you would like to be considered for up to 10 locations.
  • Duties include survey and obtains the technical information required to recommend design, fabrication, and evaluation parameters of water handling and fire apparatus.
  • Projects typical but not limited to this type are: development of specification of Fire Engines, Water Tenders, Helitack vehicles, Crew buggies, Hotshot vehicles, Red light and siren policies and training programs for these new developments.
  • Position answers inquiries from the field, procurement activities, other agencies and contractors concerned with the use, procurement, and fabrication of equipment in those areas.
  • Conducts inspections of items manufactured by contractors to written specifications. Position analyzes the need and feasibility of deviations requested by the contractors if the exact design or material specified cannot be provided.
  • Maintain personal contact with industry, wildfire suppression agencies, and other government agencies, to keep current on newly developed components, equipment, and techniques that can be applied to the Regions fire suppression activities.
  • Position will analyze fire operations and equipment to determine the most logical use and development of fire apparatus to obtain the greatest economy of labor and components.
  • Must be knowledgeable in the use of diverse types of water handling testing equipment and related mechanical inspection equipment. Position will prepare instruction manuals, and training outlines for fire apparatus and water handling equipment use.
  • May perform other fire suppression related duties as assigned and within physical capabilities.
  • Duties listed are at the full performance level.

Requirements

Help

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If selected, must submit proof of vaccination or request a religious or reasonable accommodation.

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.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GS-09 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 level in the Federal Service. Examples include: Provide specific knowledge in the evaluation of Fire Equipment. Participate in the evaluation of Fire equipment including; surveying and obtaining technical information required to recommend evaluation parameters of water handling and fire apparatus. Develop specification of Fire Engines, Water Tenders, and various other Firefighting Equipment. Respond to inquiries on, procurement activities, other agencies and contractors concerned with the use, procurement, and fabrication of equipment. Conduct inspections of items manufactured by contractors, maintain continual personal contact with industry, wildfire suppression agencies, and other government agencies to keep current on newly developed components, equipment, and regions fire suppression activities. Prepare instruction manuals, and training outlines for fire apparatus and water handling equipment use. Use of diverse types of test equipment, including water pressure test procedures, electrical setting of various water and foam meters, amperage load testing and visual acuity standards for wildland fire apparatus. Conduct Pre-Season readiness reviews within the Intermountain Region to ensure the fire apparatus is fully operational.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Salary wage as shown is for Rest of the U.S. For more information, refer to the Office of Personnel Management,Salary and Wages web page.

Government housing is not available.

Forest Service Daycare facilities are not available.

This position is eligible for telework.

This is a bargaining unit position represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees, IAMAW.

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.

Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given a new appointment.

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/11277887

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.