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Wildland Firefighter (Forestry Technician)

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Positions at the GS-06/07 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
10/03/2022 to 10/25/2022
Salary
$19.29 to - $21.44 per hour

A supplemental pay increase of $20,000 or 50% of base pay per year, is authorized under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through 9/30/2023.

Pay scale & grade
GS 6 - 7
Locations
FEW vacancies in the following locations:
Safford, AZ
Boise, ID
Bruneau, ID
Hammett, ID
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
76% or greater - Frequent/Extensive travel is required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - These are temporary appointments. These positions will not convey permanent status and will be for a period not-to-exceed 1039 hours in a service year. Hours may be extended up to 1730 hours dependent on the agency's authority.
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
BLM-FIRE-2023-012-DHA
Control number
681080800

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 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 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: Engine; Hand; Prevention. For more information on Crew Types, click here.

A Wildland Firefighter (GS-06 Forestry Technician) serves on an Engine, Hand, and Prevention crew performing various duties. On an Engine crew, drives and operates a wildland fire engine, positioning the engine for proper use and operation. Performs and directs others in starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose, and using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and additives. On a Hand crew, locates fire line, directs and participates in fire line construction, backfiring and burnout operations, tree falling and holding/patrol mop-up operations. On a Prevention crew, may work with local homeowners, community stakeholders, various local, state, tribal, and federal agencies in an effort to educate and mitigate potential threats to these communities by wildland fire. May support wildland fire suppression activities.

A Wildland Firefighter (GS-07 Forestry Technician) serves as a wildland firefighter on an Engine, Hand, and Prevention crew performing various duties. On an Engine crew, directs the operation of a wildland fire engine and ensures the correct positioning, proper use and operation. Performs and directs others in starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose, and using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustments in effective use of water and additives. On a Hand crew, locates fire line, directs and participates in fire line construction, backfiring and burnout operations, tree falling and holding/patrol mop-up operations. On a Prevention crew, may work with local homeowners, community stakeholders, various local, state, and federal agencies in an effort to educate and mitigate potential threats to these communities by wildland fire. May support wildland fire suppression activities.

Locations for these positions are:
Safford, AZ
Boise District (Boise/Bruneau/Hammett, ID)*
Idaho Falls District (Idaho Falls/Pocatello/Salmon, ID)*
Battle Mountain District (Battle Mountain/Eureka, NV)*
Elko District (Carlin/Elko/Wells, NV)*
Ely District (Caliente/Ely/Pony Springs, NV)*
Winnemucca District (Lovelock/McDermitt/Paradise Valley/Winnemucca, NV)*
Medford, OR
Vale, OR

*NOTE: For district locations, applicants may be assigned to any of the locations listed for that district.

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

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/.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. To register or verify your registration, go to the Selective Service System website.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Failure to satisfy the background check will result in cancellation of offer of employment or may be grounds for termination.

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.

You must be 18 years of age or older at the time of appointment.

All positions have medical qualification requirements.

Qualifications

Hours worked per week must be stated for each season and position held.

To qualify for a GS-06, you must meet at least one of the following AND the Selective Factors:
1 year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-05 level duties.
Examples of specialized work experience include:
On-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention or suppression work; operating and maintaining specialized wildland fire tools/equipment/vehicles and may include leading crewmembers.
-OR-
1 year of graduate level education directly related to the position.
-OR-
A combination of education and experience that is directly related to the work of the position.

To qualify for a GS-07, you must meet at least one of the following AND the Selective Factors:
1 year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-06 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 lead wildland firefighter, utilizing a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment.
-OR-
1 year of graduate education directly related to the position.
-OR-
A combination of education and experience that is directly related to the work of this position as stated above.

Selective Factors for GS-06/07: 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. Fire Fighter Type 1 (FFT1) And
2. Successful completion of S-290 "Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior"

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

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

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Additional information

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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