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.

Provides professional guidance on the development and implementation of multiple resource objectives. Develops and analyzes fuels treatment alternatives to support management decisions while adhering to applicable laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines.

Evaluates individual fuels treatments as well as the effectiveness of the overall program and makes recommendations for improvement.Serves as a member of an interdisciplinary team planning, developing, and implementing land management plans, compliance documents, and agreements.

Provides input and recommends strategies for fuels and fire management.

Implements and administers prescribed fire activities, wildfire incidents, and other fuels management activities to ensure targets are achieved, management objectives are met and mitigation measures are adequate. Monitors fire behavior, evaluates fire effects, identifies potential problems and takes appropriate action.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
• Suitability for employment, as determined by 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
• Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service

Qualifications

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

Prior experience in wild land firefighting is required in order to carry out the duties of this position. You will not be considered for this position if you do not have prior wild land firefighting experience.

This is a secondary-administrative firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S. C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U. S. C. 8412 (d) (FERS). PLEASE NOTE: Applicants may meet qualification requirements but may not be eligible for special retirement coverage. If such an applicant is selected, they will be placed in the regular retirement system.

Only experience and education obtained by 05/01/2023 will be considered.

GS-401 Series Educational Requirements:
Degree: major in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. A photo copy of official or unofficial transcripts MUST be (uploaded) submitted, by the closing date, to document educational accomplishments to receive consideration for this position
OR
You must have an appropriate combination of education and experience that included course work equivalent to a major (i.e. 24 semester hours) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a discipline related to this position; PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four year course of study with a major as described above. A photo copy of official or unofficial transcripts MUST be (uploaded) submitted, by the closing date, to document educational accomplishments to receive consideration for this position.

You may qualify at the GS-09 level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:

1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your ability to developing and revising fire management planning documents for long range wildland fire control and prescribed burns; organization and completion of preparedness activities as it pertains to fire equipment, supplies, and fire personnel; analyze incident objectives, strategies and tactics, safety, cost effectiveness/efficiency; experience working with various resources and agencies in order to accomplish work.; OR
2. A master's or equivalent graduate degree in an accredited or pre-accredited college or university; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of a LL.B. or J.D degree, if related. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position, OR
3. A combination of education and experience as listed above

You may qualify at the GS-11 level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:

1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your ability to apply knowledge of the theories, principles, and methodology of fire ecology, fire behavior, fire hazard and risk analysis, fuel volume and flammability assessment, fire suppression techniques, meteorology, aircraft and equipment operation characteristics, in developing and implementing a fire management and prescribed burn program; and applying knowledge of fire management policy and administrative processes (including fire management planning and administration, and budget planning); OR
2. A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of a LL.M. degree, if related. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position, examples of qualifying fields include fire science, fire management, biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or related disciplines. ; OR
3. A combination of education and experience as listed above.

Prescribed fire/fuels management
- inventory methods and procedures
- fuel treatment methods and programming- land use planning and environmental coordination
- evaluating prescribed burn plans or fire management plans to ensure containment is possible and identify contingencies if containment is not obtained.

Fire management operations
- analyzing and applying fire management strategies, plus experience in at least five of the following activities:
- mobilization and dispatch coordination- fire prevention and education
- training
- logistics
- equipment development and deployment
- fire communication systems
- suppression and preparedness
- aviation

Physical Demands/Work Environment: Work is sedentary, usually performed in an office. Strenuous physical activity can be expected when field duties include fire suppression and prescribed fire activities. Incumbent must wear protective clothing and other safety equipment. Work will be performed in an office and field setting. Regular and recurring exposure to rain, wind, sun, etc., and to moderate exposure to excessive heat, smoke, dust, sharp tools, low level aircraft flights, motorized equipment, rough and uneven terrain, poisonous snakes and insects, and aerial retardant drops. Incumbent must wear protective clothing and other safety equipment.

IFPM Qualifications for Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist (High Complexity)
(Selective Factor):
Primary Core Requirement:
Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, Type 2 (RXB2)
and
Secondary Core Requirement:
Engine Boss (ENGB)
or
Crew Boss (CRWB)
or
Helicopter Manager (HMGB)

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-9/11. 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-9/11. 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 the policies, techniques and practices of wildland firefighting obtained through substantial service as a primary firefighter of the Federal government or in a similar firefighting position outside the Federal government. This is a mandatory requirement of this position.
• Professional knowledge of natural resource management, fire ecology, fire behavior, and fire management theories, concepts, principles, and standards in a wildland fire environment sufficient to develop and manage a fuels management program.
• Knowledge of environmental laws, regulations, and policies including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Air Act, Threatened and Endangered Species Act, and the Wilderness Act sufficient to produce environmentally sound and defensible documents.
• Knowledge of computer applications and software for a variety of fuels management uses.

All applications that are verified to meet the basic qualifications will be referred to the selecting official.