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Wildland Firefighter (Forestry Aid/Technician)

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

Summary

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
10/24/2022 to 11/15/2022
Salary
$15 to - $17.45 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 3 - 5
Locations
FEW vacancies in the following locations:
Kingman, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Safford, AZ
Sierra Vista, AZ
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-2023-004-DHA
Control number
685151200

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 Engine crews. 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.

Locations for these positions are:
Arizona Strip District (Kanab, UT)
Arizona Strip District (Saint George, UT)
Kingman, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Safford, AZ
Sierra Vista, AZ
Wickenburg, AZ
Yuma, AZ
Craig, CO
Grand Junction, CO
Meeker, CO
Rifle, CO
Southwest District (Dolores/Norwood/Montrose, CO)*
Twin Falls District (Burley/Shoshone/Twin Falls, ID)*
Ashland, MT
Billings, MT
Ekalaka, MT
Jordan, MT
Lewistown, MT
Miles City, MT
Zortman, MT
Albuquerque, NM
Carlsbad, NM
Farmington, NM
Grants, NM
Las Cruces, NM
Roswell, NM
Socorro, NM
Taos, NM
Las Vegas, NV
Burns District (Frenchglen/Hines, OR)*
Dayville, OR
Lakeview District (Bonanza/Fort Rock/Klamath Falls/Lakeview, OR)*
Prineville District (Grass Valley/Madras/Prineville, OR)*
Vale District (Baker City/Jordan Valley/Juntura/Vale, OR)*
Camp Crook, SD
Cedar City, UT
Kanab, UT
Moab, UT
Monticello, UT
Price, UT
Richfield, UT
Saint George, UT
Vernal, UT
Spokane District (Spokane Valley/Wenatchee, WA)*
Buffalo, WY
Casper, WY
Cody, WY
Lander, WY
Newcastle, WY
Rawlins, WY
Rock Springs, WY
Worland, WY

*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 in your resume.

Experience listed on your resume will need to include specific duties about the work being performed and should not be only the general language stated below in the examples.

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 may include any of the following that are relevant to the duties of the position:

  • Forestry aid or technician work.
  • Engineering, range, or soil conservation technician work that involved the application of cultural, resource conservation, or land management practices on nonforest or ranch lands when combined with knowledge of forestry operations and equipment.
  • Farming or ranching work that involved application of cultural and soil and water conservation practices, including safety and use of equipment, and that provided a basic understanding of land use.
  • Forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work.
-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 of specialized work experience 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-
A 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.

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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