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.

Performs duties in one of the following functional areas:
-Handcrew. During initial attack fire suppression activities, locates fireline, directs and participates in fireline construction, backfiring and burnout operations, engine and pump operations, brush clearing, tree falling and holding/patrol/mop up operations. Directs the use of a variety of specialized tools, equipment and techniques to actively suppress fires. May participate in prescribed fire operations.

-Prescribed Fire. Directs and performs prescribed fire operations including line preparation activities such as brush clearing and hazard tree removal; ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop-up. Monitors fire behavior, fire effects, and fire weather on prescribed fires and wildfires. Collects fire data such as fuel loading, tree stand density, fuel moisture, maps projects, weather, and maintains records. Assists in the planning of prescribed fire projects and hazardous fuels projects. Directs the use of specialized firing equipment (e.g. fusees, drip torches, flares, and terra torch). May support wildland fire suppression activities.

-Wildland Fire Engine. Directs the operation of a wildland fire engine, ensuring the correct positioning, proper use and operation. Personally performs and directs others in starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose, using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and additives and the operation and maintenance of chainsaws.
Conducts and participates in crew proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques.
Responsible for maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland urban interface/intermix situations.
Ensures the engine is kept in a full state of readiness for emergency fire dispatch.
Ensures the safety and welfare of self and others in all aspects of the assignment.

-Helitack. Directs the fire suppression efforts of the helicopter module. Directs the loading of helicopter personnel and cargo considering weight and balance, securing cargo, etc. Completes manifests of personnel and equipment being transported to the fire or other work sites. Prepares and hooks longline external loads and maintains and operates other accessory equipment. Inventories and inspects helicopter accessories, fire tools, and equipment. Assures that needed tools and equipment are available for firefighting tasks. Serves as Helispot and Dipsite Manager on incidents requiring the establishment of these sites. Prepares and maintains required documents (e.g., flight invoices, manifests, daily diaries, and load calculations).
May serve as a rappeller or short hauler or spotter.

Duties Common to All Functional Areas

Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents.

Provides training to subordinate crew members in this process.

Positions and deploys personnel and equipment, utilizing best approaches and practices to protect values at risk.

Serves as an incident commander on initial attack incidents.

Makes initial evaluation of fire situations, determines rate of spread, potential hazards to property and other improvements, determines appropriate suppression method to use, and directs hose lays, deployment of crew, point of initial attack, type of tools to use and application of water.

Responsible for coordinating and providing oversight in the operation and maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland and prescribed fire situations. Accomplishes emergency repairs as necessary to permit continued use of equipment. In those instances when the apparatus cannot be used effectively in suppressing the fire, the incumbent takes appropriate control action in attacking the fire.

Responsible for formal and informal training programs to comply with policy and regulations. Participates in wildland fire and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression and in the safe, efficient operation and use of tools, equipment, and vehicles used in fire suppression activities, with emphasis on those used for the particular function assigned. Serves as a lead instructor for 100-200 level training courses.

Develops and delivers training specific to unique program needs.

Responsible to conduct and lead crew proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques. Ensures own and other's welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignment. Completes fire reports for supervisory review and approval.

Applies appropriate agency incident business practices and resource management objectives practices, and policies to meet objectives.

Operates a variety of motor vehicles to transport equipment, supplies, crew members, etc. Performs basic first aid.

Responsible to maintain a unit cache to support module specific mission.

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 Non-Sensitive Low background investigation
• Drug testing position
• Medical Requirements
• Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform required
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• You must meet specialized experience to qualify
• Must meet the minimum/maximum age requirement
• Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position

Qualifications

This key fire management position is a categorized under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard as a . 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/.

The maximum age is 37 (except for veterans preference eligibles). Individuals must be selected for these positions prior to their 37th birthday. Qualified preference eligibles may apply and be considered for vacancies regardless of whether they meet the maximum age requirements identified at 5 U.S.C. 3307, unless the hiring agency has determined age is essential to the duties of the job.

Only experience and education obtained by 06/06/2022 will be considered.
Basic Qualifications:
GS-6 grade level, you must meet A, B, or C below:
A. One year of specialized wildland fire experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include: perform fire prevention activities such as patrolling to gauge fire potential and occurrence; distribute literature explaining the fire prevention program to the public, and prepare fire reports; instruct and provide on-the-job training to personnel in the use of wildland fire control equipment, methods, and safety procedures; operate wildland fire engines weighing up to 18,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW); assist in maintaining records of fire time and attendance work done by fire crews, and related activities.
OR
B. Completed at least 1 year (18 semester hours) of graduate level education directly related to this position.
OR
C. An equivalent combination of graduate education AND qualifying experience.

GS-7 grade level, you must meet A, B, or C below:
A. One year of specialized wildland fire experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include: lay out and organize lines of attack for a wildland fire; locate and construct firelines; dispatch fire crews and provides onsite direction and support to crew members on the fireline; ensure availability of equipment, water, and supplies; train others in equipment safety, maintenance and use; conduct informal on-the-job fire training sessions; distribute literature and explain the fire prevention plan to the general public; use computer software for database creation, management, and manipulation (e.g., Microsoft Access, WIMS, Fire Base, etc.).
OR
B. Completed at least 1 year (18 semester hours) of graduate level education directly related to this position.
OR
C. an equivalent combination of graduate education AND qualifying experience.

NWCG Incident Management Qualifications
Primary Core Requirement: ENGB
Secondary Core Requirement: ICT5

NOTE: You must provide a copy of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other equivalent documentation.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:
Essential functions require arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting. Duties involve rigorous fieldwork requiring above average physical performance, endurance and superior conditioning. Work requires prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar strenuous activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity. Duties include demands for activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time. Operation of some specialized fire equipment can place extended physical stress on employee during fire activities. The work is primarily performed in forest, range and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with vegetation, and in smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures vary from above 100 degrees F to below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor sleeping and eating conditions and unpredictable sets of circumstances. Employee may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (boots, hard hat, gloves, flame resistant clothing, etc.). Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft.

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.

Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-07. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-07. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

How you will be evaluated

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

All applicants who submit a complete and legible application by the closing date of this vacancy announcement {or cut-off} will have their qualifications reviewed to determine if they possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the work of this position.

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

• Knowledge of strategies, tactics, and suppression methods used in containment and control of wildfires in order to relay assignments to module/crew members, accurately evaluate rapidly changing fire circumstances, determine when/if additional forces may be needed, or determine when circumstances warrant withdrawal of module/crew to a safe location.
• Knowledge of fire behavior including causes of wildland fire, influence of temperature, humidity, wind, topography, slope and fuel moisture conditions, and fuels in order to know where to attack the fire, build fire line, where to be positioned to manage a wildland fire, and to identify hazards.
• Knowledge such as, but not limited to, fire engine and pump operations, hose lays, handcrew operations and/or helicopter operations to enable the incumbent to function in assigned capacities and to instruct or supervise others.
• Knowledge such as, chainsaw operation and repair, long line operations, rappelling, pump operation and water handling used in response to wildland urban interface situations, and in wildland fire management and prescribed burns.
• Skill in oral communication sufficient to interact with people at all levels, internal and, including the public.
• Skill in written communication sufficient to interact with people at all levels, internal and, including the public.
• Knowledge of related fields such as forestry, wildlife, botany, soils and water, cultural and historical resources in order to make informed fire operational decisions.