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Forestry Technician - Direct Hire Authority

Department of the Interior
Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Navajo Region
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This recruitment is for three or more permanent full-time seasonal positions located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Region, Branch of Wildland Fire and Aviation Management, Duty Station in Fort Defiance, AZn and will be filled from Standard PD Number: FDI0205

This announcement will be used to fill vacancies utilizing the Direct-Hire Authority (5CFR 337.201). Category rating, veteran's preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do NOT apply for this vacancy.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Posted 12/23/21
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$35,265 - $45,847 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time - Seasonal
Travel Required
50% or less - Travel required for work assignments and/or training and may require travel by light fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft. Frequent travel may be required during peak fire activity.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
DHA-22-11337584-CBXH-CB
Control number
628488000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

ALL U.S. CITIZENS. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: These positions will be filled using Direct Hire Authority for this occupation. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.

Duties

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  • Serves as a senior wildland firefighter on an engine, helitack module, handcrew or prescribed fire crew.
  • Performs wildland fire suppression, management, and control.
  • Performs as a chainsaw operator and chainsaw repair technician.
  • Operates and maintains specialized tools and equipment.
  • Performs all aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations.
  • Gathers fire weather data, fuel types, and fire behavior in response to wildland fire incidents.
  • Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit
  • You may be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • If you are a male applicant born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
  • These positions require the incumbents to possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
  • These positions are subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
  • These positions are subject to pre-employment and annual medical screening and physical fitness testing for arduous duty.
  • These are Permanent, Full-Time Seasonal Positions and are subject to placement in Non-Pay Status when services are not needed do to lack of work, funds, or unforeseen circumstances.

Qualifications

NOTE: This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard. This position has been categorized as a Senior Firefighter and requires 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 http://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for Technical and Medical Support Positions and Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0462: Forestry Technician Series; and

NWCG/Interagency Fire Program Management Qualifications Standards and Guide)



GS-5: 1 year of specialized wildland fire management experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to work in forest or range fire control, fire prevention or fire suppression work as a skilled wildland firefighter utilizing a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment; OR 4 years of successfully completed education above the high school level leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable.

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS: These are MANDATORY qualification prerequisites to qualify for this position. The applicant must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position:
  • Primary Core Requirement: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) or higher
  • Additional Required Training: S-290, Intermediate Fire Behavior
NOTE: Selective factors are knowledges, skills, abilities, or special qualifications that are in addition to the minimum requirements in a qualification standard, but are determined to be essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Applicants who do not meet the selective factors are ineligible for further consideration. You MUST provide a current copy of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other agency equivalent documentation which verifies you meet the required NWCG qualifications for this IFPM position when submitting your application. Selectees for IFPM positions requiring currency will be required to obtain and maintain currency for the NWCG qualifications listed above.

MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE: The maximum entry-age for this position shall not exceed age 37, unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian law enforcement or firefighter experience or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in lost eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement.

FIREFIGHTER SPECIAL RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a Primary firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) (FERS). date immediately prior to reaching an individual's 37th birthday is the maximum entry age (MEA) at which an applicant can be initially appointed into a primary firefighter position. Applicants initially appointed to a primary position MUST NOT have reached their 37th birthday. Applicants over the MEA of 37 MUST have enough prior covered service under the Firefighter Special Retirement benefit in order to be eligible for re-entry into a primary firefighter position.

Temporary primary/rigorous covered service will only be credited if performed prior to January 1, 1989 (temporary service performed beginning 1/1/89 or later is not creditable for retirement). Applicants are responsible for submitting all supporting documentation prior to the closing date of a vacancy for an MEA determination. Acceptable forms of documentation consist of SF-50's showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable Federal civilian appointments or copies of agency approved certification letters based upon individual claims for coverage. Failure to provide this documentation with your application may result in the loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

If you are qualifying based on your education, you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

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.

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.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education which shows the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: FOREIGN EDUCATION

Additional information

Indian Preference Policy: Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC Section 472). Verification form BIA-4432 must be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference. No other documents will be accepted as proof of Indian Preference.

All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2021 Salary Tables here and select the duty station from Fort Defiance, Arizona to choose the appropriate pay chart. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart.

TELEWORK: Indian Affairs has determined that the duties of the position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

This is a permanent full-time seasonal career/conditional appointment. The incumbent will be in pay status at least 13 pay periods (26 weeks) or more depending on funding & workload not-to-exceed 25 pay periods per calendar year. Services will not be required at certain times due to lack of work/funds, weather conditions, ceiling limitations or other unforeseen circumstances & will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status

This position has been designated as an Incidental Operator under the Indian Affairs Motor Vehicle Safety Program and requires the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle in order to properly carry out his/her assigned duties but whose principal duties are not operating a motor vehicle and his/her position is not classified as a motor vehicle operator. The incumbent will be required initially and annually to acknowledge and certify possession of a valid state driver's license.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) OR Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Programs provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF50 noting position, grade level, duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp

TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE AUTHORIZED. ANY RELOCATION EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH REPORTING FOR DUTY WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SELECTED EMPLOYEE.

Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the closing date.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your resume will be evaluated after the closing date to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position described above.

Under this Direct-Hire announcement, all applicants who meet the minimum requirements at the grade level for which they apply will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration. Veteran's Preference and category rating DO NOT APPLY for this announcement under Direct-Hire Authority regulations.

All qualified candidates will be referred for consideration; the hiring office may conduct interviews at their discretion.

If an applicant's resume is incomplete or does not support the requirements for minimum qualifications or specialized experience a rating of "ineligible" or "not qualified" will be applied and no consideration for employment will be granted.

The job specific questions identified in the assessment questionnaire relate to the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics) required to do the work of this position, therefore, your resume should contain sufficient information to demonstrate possession of these competencies as indicated by your responses to the assessment questions:

  • Fire Management
  • Safety Engineering
  • Technical Competence
  • Technology Application

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.

You may preview the assessment questions here in the https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11337584.

Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs

The Department of the Interior (DOI) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission.

Indian Affairs provides services to 574 federally recognized tribes with a population of about 1.9 million American Indian and Alaska Natives. Indian Affairs offers an extensive range of programs such as social services, law enforcement and detention services, administration of tribal courts, natural resources management, economic development, implementation of land and water claim settlements, housing improvement, disaster relief, and the replacement and maintenance of schools, roads, and bridges.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is committed to ensuring a safe and engaging workplace, which exhibits the values of respect, teamwork, fairness, and honesty.

Agency contact information

Strategic Recruitment-Trust
Phone
405-768-4060
Email
biastrategicrecruitment_hr@bia.gov
Address
BIA Strategic Recruitment - Trust
301 NW 6th
Room 311
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.bia.gov/regional-offices/midwest

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