USAJOBS connects job seekers with federal jobs across the United States and around the world as the official employment site for the federal government

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

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

Help

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is looking for temporary employees to work as Fire Lookouts.

A Fire Lookout (GS-03 Forestry Aid) maintains surveillance to detect and report the occurrence of fires, status of fires, suspicious smokes, smoke like dusts or unusual volumes of legitimate smoke. Uses standard equipment to locate smokes reported by others, estimate distances, ascertain probable distances to smokes, and supplies specific observations. Records and reports daily weather observations.

A Fire Lookout (GS-04 Forestry Technician) maintains surveillance to detect and report the occurrence of fires, status for fires, suspicious smokes, smoke like dusts, or unusual volumes of legitimate smoke. Uses standard equipment to locate smokes reported by others, estimate distances, ascertain probable distances to smokes, ascertain the probable size and characteristics of fires. Reports and locates fires on maps. Records and reports daily weather observations. Maintains or directs others in maintaining records and log books.

A Fire Lookout (GS-05 Forestry Technician) is responsible for ensuring lookout checks are conducted and weather data from each lookout is obtained and properly recorded. Maintains surveillance to detect and report occurrences of fires, status of fires, suspicious smokes, or unusual volume of legitimate smoke. Uses standard equipment to locate smokes reported by others, estimate distances, ascertain the probable size and characteristics of fires, and locate fires on maps. Reports fires to designated coordinators providing distance, location, volume, color, behavior of smoke and other pertinent facts. Makes recommendations on number of crew, equipment, and type of initial attack forces to be dispatched. Records and reports or directs others in taking daily weather observation. Maintains or directs others in maintaining records and log books.

Locations for these positions are:
Arizona Strip District (Saint George, UT)
Ashland (Fort Howes), MT
Caliente, NV

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

Help

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.

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.

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

Qualifications

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

***Experience listed 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:
1). Six months of general work experience which can be any work experience.
-OR-
2). One 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-
3). 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:
1). Six 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 include:
On-the-line wildland fire experience or work as a wildland fire lookout.
-OR-
2). Two 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 fisheries 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-
3). An equivalent combination of the education and experience specified above.

To qualify for a GS-05
You must meet at least one of the following:
1). One year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-04 level duties.
Examples of specialized work experience include:
On-the-line wildland fire experience, or prior work as a wildland fire lookout.
-OR-
2). 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 fisheries 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-
3). A combination of education and specialized work experience described above.

**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.'

Physical Demands: Accomplishment of assignments requires prolonged standing, walking, recurring bending, reaching, climbing, the individual lifting and carrying 50 pounds, and similar activities requiring average agility and dexterity

Work Environment: Work is generally performed indoors at a remote lookout tower often with primitive living conditions. Employee must adjust to cope with temperature extremes, elevation, and varying weather conditions. Employee may be required to live at the lookout location for extended periods of time.

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. For more information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here. 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 well-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.

Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees. If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive or Student Loan Repayment.

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.

Required Documents

Help

You MUST upload "Required Documents" PRIOR to the Closing Date.

**Please note that documents selected to transfer from your USAJOBS profile are NOT automatically added to your application. You need to transfer the document(s) in the Document step at the end of the application process.

Resume MUST include your name and a list of each season and position held, duties performed, dates specified in month/year to month/year format. In addition, the resume must reflect full-time or total number of hours worked per week. Part-time hours can be pro-rated based on number of hours worked per week provided. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.

Example 1: 05/2018 to 08/2018 could be credited as 3 months if 40 hours worked per week (full-time) are listed -or- 2.25 months if 30 hours worked per week are listed -or-1.5 months if 20 hours worked per week are listed.
Example 2: 05/2015 to 10/2015 could be credited as 5 months of experience if 40 hours worked per week (full-time) are listed -or- 3.75 months if 30 hours worked per week are listed -or- 2.5 months if 20 hours worked per week are listed.
Example 3: Dates listed with month/day/year to month/day/year could be given credit for each to/from date in its entirety if hours worked per week are listed. 05/1/2018 to 08/16/2018 could be credited as 3 months, 16 days if 40 hours worked per week are listed -or- 1 month, 23 days if 20 hours worked per week are listed.

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. Visit the USAJOBS Help Center for more information on what should I include in my federal resume: https://www.usajobs.gov/help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/.

A complete Assessment Questionnaire: This is completed automatically during the online application process. The questions have to do with minimum qualifications, selective factors if applicable, a verification statement, etc. There is no additional document needed to complete this requirement.

Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:

College transcripts - To qualify based on education, you MUST submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html) with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), grade-point average or class ranking, and if applicable, degree and date conferred. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) - If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP you MUST submit documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.

* You only need to upload documents that apply to you. For uploading instructions please click here.

You will not be contacted for additional information. If you have questions regarding what is considered appropriate supporting documentation, contact the DOI FIRES Program Office.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Help

THIS IS AN ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS THROUGH USAJOBS. Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time by the closing date of the announcement. If you need assistance in applying on-line, please contact the DOI FIRES Program Office at blm_fa_fires@blm.gov or call our toll-free number at 888-364-6432.

1. Review the Vacancy Announcement and Eligibility Criteria: Review the announcement thoroughly. The sections describe who is eligible to apply, what education and/or experience is required for the position, and which documents are needed for your application package.

2. Apply. Click the "APPLY" link on the right side of the vacancy announcement. This will direct you to the login page for USAJOBS. Select your USAJOBS resume to submit with your application and proceed through the application process answering all questions.

INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION COULD RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING.

You must build a resume with the USAJOBS Resume Builder or have an Uploaded Resume on your profile BEFORE applying. Videos showing how to apply for federal jobs can be found here: https://www.nifc.gov/careers/how-to-apply. The USAJOBS Resume Builder was designed to ensure that your resume includes the standard information needed. Failure to follow these instructions in the announcement (resulting in insufficient information being provided with your resume / application) could result in an ineligible rating.

Your Resume MUST include the following information:
-From and To dates (month/year to month/year) for each season and position held. (Ex: 05/2018 - 11/2018)
-Work schedule (number of hours worked per week) for all seasons and positions held. One year of experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week (full-time). Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for a position listed that does not indicate hours per week.
- Grade level for each season and position that were in the federal service.
- Complete Duties for each of the seasons and positions held.
- References personal and professional

3. Submit your resume and supporting documentation ONLINE through USAJOBS. You also must complete the online application and assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section.

For detailed step-by-step instructions on How to Apply: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/index.php/apply.

To verify the status of your application, please log into your USAJOBS account at: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login.

For information on what each Application Status means: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

FOLLOW UP. Check your application status before the announcement closes. It is your responsibility to ensure that a complete application (including a resume, on-line questionnaire, and applicable supplemental documentation) is received by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. NOTE: Technical issues may take at least 1 business day to resolve; therefore, you are highly encouraged to complete the application process prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information

DOI FIRES Program Office

Phone: 888-364-6432
Email: blm_fa_fires@blm.gov
Website: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/

Address: Bureau of Land Management
call toll free number for address information
Boise, ID 83705
US

Next steps

Once you submit all the required documents and the online application (i.e., online questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation, etc.) in USAJOBS, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful.

After the evaluation process is complete, you will be notified via USAJOBs of a status change (i.e., referred, not eligible, not qualified, referred to the hiring official, etc.). Note, you must login to your USAJOBS profile to view details of the status change. Information regarding how to see your application status can be found in the USAJOBS Help Center.

If referred and further evaluation or interviews are required, you may be contacted by the hiring officials for the location in which you are referred.

You will receive a final notification if this job is filled or cancelled. Timelines for this process vary widely.

Required Documents

Help

You MUST upload "Required Documents" PRIOR to the Closing Date.

**Please note that documents selected to transfer from your USAJOBS profile are NOT automatically added to your application. You need to transfer the document(s) in the Document step at the end of the application process.

Resume MUST include your name and a list of each season and position held, duties performed, dates specified in month/year to month/year format. In addition, the resume must reflect full-time or total number of hours worked per week. Part-time hours can be pro-rated based on number of hours worked per week provided. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.

Example 1: 05/2018 to 08/2018 could be credited as 3 months if 40 hours worked per week (full-time) are listed -or- 2.25 months if 30 hours worked per week are listed -or-1.5 months if 20 hours worked per week are listed.
Example 2: 05/2015 to 10/2015 could be credited as 5 months of experience if 40 hours worked per week (full-time) are listed -or- 3.75 months if 30 hours worked per week are listed -or- 2.5 months if 20 hours worked per week are listed.
Example 3: Dates listed with month/day/year to month/day/year could be given credit for each to/from date in its entirety if hours worked per week are listed. 05/1/2018 to 08/16/2018 could be credited as 3 months, 16 days if 40 hours worked per week are listed -or- 1 month, 23 days if 20 hours worked per week are listed.

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. Visit the USAJOBS Help Center for more information on what should I include in my federal resume: https://www.usajobs.gov/help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/.

A complete Assessment Questionnaire: This is completed automatically during the online application process. The questions have to do with minimum qualifications, selective factors if applicable, a verification statement, etc. There is no additional document needed to complete this requirement.

Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:

College transcripts - To qualify based on education, you MUST submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html) with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), grade-point average or class ranking, and if applicable, degree and date conferred. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) - If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP you MUST submit documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.

* You only need to upload documents that apply to you. For uploading instructions please click here.

You will not be contacted for additional information. If you have questions regarding what is considered appropriate supporting documentation, contact the DOI FIRES Program Office.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Help

THIS IS AN ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS THROUGH USAJOBS. Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time by the closing date of the announcement. If you need assistance in applying on-line, please contact the DOI FIRES Program Office at blm_fa_fires@blm.gov or call our toll-free number at 888-364-6432.

1. Review the Vacancy Announcement and Eligibility Criteria: Review the announcement thoroughly. The sections describe who is eligible to apply, what education and/or experience is required for the position, and which documents are needed for your application package.

2. Apply. Click the "APPLY" link on the right side of the vacancy announcement. This will direct you to the login page for USAJOBS. Select your USAJOBS resume to submit with your application and proceed through the application process answering all questions.

INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION COULD RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING.

You must build a resume with the USAJOBS Resume Builder or have an Uploaded Resume on your profile BEFORE applying. Videos showing how to apply for federal jobs can be found here: https://www.nifc.gov/careers/how-to-apply. The USAJOBS Resume Builder was designed to ensure that your resume includes the standard information needed. Failure to follow these instructions in the announcement (resulting in insufficient information being provided with your resume / application) could result in an ineligible rating.

Your Resume MUST include the following information:
-From and To dates (month/year to month/year) for each season and position held. (Ex: 05/2018 - 11/2018)
-Work schedule (number of hours worked per week) for all seasons and positions held. One year of experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week (full-time). Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for a position listed that does not indicate hours per week.
- Grade level for each season and position that were in the federal service.
- Complete Duties for each of the seasons and positions held.
- References personal and professional

3. Submit your resume and supporting documentation ONLINE through USAJOBS. You also must complete the online application and assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section.

For detailed step-by-step instructions on How to Apply: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/index.php/apply.

To verify the status of your application, please log into your USAJOBS account at: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login.

For information on what each Application Status means: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

FOLLOW UP. Check your application status before the announcement closes. It is your responsibility to ensure that a complete application (including a resume, on-line questionnaire, and applicable supplemental documentation) is received by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. NOTE: Technical issues may take at least 1 business day to resolve; therefore, you are highly encouraged to complete the application process prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information

DOI FIRES Program Office

Phone: 888-364-6432
Email: blm_fa_fires@blm.gov
Website: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/

Address: Bureau of Land Management
call toll free number for address information
Boise, ID 83705
US

Next steps

Once you submit all the required documents and the online application (i.e., online questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation, etc.) in USAJOBS, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful.

After the evaluation process is complete, you will be notified via USAJOBs of a status change (i.e., referred, not eligible, not qualified, referred to the hiring official, etc.). Note, you must login to your USAJOBS profile to view details of the status change. Information regarding how to see your application status can be found in the USAJOBS Help Center.

If referred and further evaluation or interviews are required, you may be contacted by the hiring officials for the location in which you are referred.

You will receive a final notification if this job is filled or cancelled. Timelines for this process vary widely.