Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens - No previous federal service is required. This position is being advertised under an OPM government-wide Direct Hire authority. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.

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• Serves as a lead wildland firefighter and member of a hotshot crew.
• Directs the work of a small crew of firefighters in building firelines, burnout, mopping up, and patrolling firelines.
• Performs administrative lead duties such as: timekeeping, travel, government credit card managements, maintaining records, etc.
• Applies an understanding of firefighter safety, fire behavior, topography of the area, weather, fuels, and training in fire management.
• Plans action and directs utilization of fire line resources.
• Directs assigned suppression operations and recommends and implements tactical strategies on fires.
• Directs the operation and use of special tools and equipment.
• Directs and ensures proper equipment and supplies needed for fire assignments.
• Manages fuels projects such as: prescribed fire, mechanical and biological treatments, inventorying fuel beds, and piling vegetation debris.
• Performs wildland fire suppression/management/control functions.
• Participates in fire and safety training in the techniques, practices and methods of fire suppression.
• Gathers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Be sure to read the HOW TO APPLY and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS Sections.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license; nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Land.
• Direct Deposit Required.
• Security Clearance/Background Investigation Required.
• Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination. Failure to possess or obtain a favorable determination will result in the cancellation of the offer or will be grounds for termination.
• You must meet specified levels on annual physical fitness tests, and pass periodic medical exams for wildland fire personnel, commensurate with current incident management qualification.
• You must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position.
• You must pass a pre-employment physical.
• Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use and to pass the test prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• This position requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work during peak fire season.
• May require completion of a one year probationary period.
• Applicants appointed to this position must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. May require additional specialized training and certification to operate specialized vehicles and equipment.
• Incumbent may be required to obtain and maintain a commercial driver's license (CDL).
• You must also pass the work capacity test for arduous positions.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience Requirements: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - please be sure to include this information in your resume. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled.

To qualify for the GS-05 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: 1) on-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention or suppression work as a skilled wildland firefighter and 2)utilizing a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment.

To qualify for the GS-06 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: 1) experience serving as a senior wildland firefighter on a wildland fire module or crew with on-the-line wildland fire experience in fire control, prevention or suppression work, and 2) utilizing and maintaining a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment.

To qualify for the GS-07 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: 1) experience serving as a lead wildland firefighter on a wildland fire module or crew with on-the-line wildland fire experience in fire control, prevention or suppression; 2) utilizing and maintaining specialized wildland fire equipment; and 3) assisting with analyzing and predicting fire behavior when responding to wildland fire incidents.

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.

Substitution of Education for Experience:
GS-05: Must have a 4 - year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree, from an accredited college or university, in Wildland Fire Science, Wildland Fire Training, Wildland Fire Technology or other related fields which included 24 semester hours of coursework such as forestry, range management or conservation, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography). Education and experience may be combined to meet the specialized experience requirement.

GS-06/07: There is no education substitution for this position at the GS-06 and GS-07 grade levels.

Selective Placement Factor(s): This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified.

1) This position is a Primary Firefighter position and is subject to a maximum entry age (MEA). The MEA is the date immediately preceding your 37th birthday. Applicants must not have reached age 37 at the time of appointment, unless proof is provided of prior Federal service in another primary covered position, 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 may result in loss of consideration. Please refer to the Required Documents section for further guidance on what documentation is required to meet this requirement. If over the MEA and you are not a veteran, proof of prior covered service must be submitted prior to employment. Acceptable proof consists of SF-50s showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable appointments and copies of approved letters based on individual claims.

2) Requirement for the GS-06 and GS-07 grade levels ONLY: This position has been categorized as a Hotshot Crew position and requires the selectee to meet minimum National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualification standards prior to being placed into the position.

You must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required):

A) Crew Boss (CRWB) AND;
B) Incident Commander, Type 5 (ICT5)

If selected at the GS-05, you must meet the IFPM training requirements above for the GS-06 as a condition of employment before being eligible for promotion to the GS-06 grade level.

* You must meet all qualification and selective placement factor requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Demands: Arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, 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 activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity.

Work Environment: Forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material.

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). The position is subject to maximum entry age (MEA) requirements. The MEA for this position shall not exceed age 37. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. See Required Documents Section.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on how your application materials reflect the qualification requirements of this position.

Once the job opportunity announcement closes, your resume and all supporting documents will be reviewed by HR to determine your eligibility for Federal employment and your qualifications for this position specifically. Due to this vacancy being 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. Applications received as a result of job fairs, recruitment events, and emergency hiring mechanisms in support of this hiring initiative will also be accepted during the duration of the announcement. All qualified candidates will be referred for consideration; the hiring office may conduct interviews at their discretion. Interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis.

Your responses to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and/or job elements) in the following areas:

• Fire Management
• Leadership
• Technical Competence