Clarification from the agency

This position is for students accepted for enrollment or are currently enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in an accredited high school, technical or vocational school, 2-year or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school, on a full- or half-time basis (as defined by the academic institution in which the student is enrolled).

Videos

• Performs wildland fire suppression/management/control functions.
• Operates, moves, inspects, and performs preventative maintenance on vehicles and equipment.
• Performs fireline activities such as line construction, hose layout, operations of pumps and accessories, and mop-up operations.
• Performs duties specific to the crew or module assigned.
• Participate 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.
• Participates in fuels management projects and prescribed fires.
• May serve as a situational leader on wildland fires.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required upon conversion.
• 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.
• Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
• Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
• Must be currently enrolled or accepted at least half-time in a degree seeking program in an accredited high school, technical or vocation school, 2-year or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school.
• Must sign a Pathways Programs Participant Agreement.
• You must be 18 years of age or older, at the time of onboarding, to be assigned to a hazardous position.
• You must pass a pre-employment physical.
• You must also pass the work capacity test for arduous positions.
• You must meet specified levels on annual physical fitness tests, and pass periodic medical exams for wild land fire personnel, commensurate with current incident management qualifications.
• This position requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work.
• 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.
• The entire period served as a Career/Indefinite Intern counts as the appointee's trial period. Prior Federal civilian service is credited toward the completion of the required trial period in the same manner as prescribed in 5 CFR 315.802.
• The position is year-round. During the school year part-time or full-time hours may apply; however, during school breaks and the summer period, full-time hours may apply. The work schedule may be adjusted to fit the student's schedule.
• Applicants appointed to this position at the GS-05 level must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. May require additional specialized training and certification to operate specialized vehicles and equipment.
• Applicants appointed to this position at the GS-03 and GS-04 levels may be required to possess and maintain a valid state driver's license, depending on location.
• Incumbent may be required to obtain and maintain a commercial driver's license (CDL), depending on location.
• Once converted, the target position will be a Wildland Fire Fighter, GS-0456 with a full performance level (FPL) up to a GS-07; however, the target position and FPL may change based on the need of the organization at that time.

Qualifications

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• You must be 18 years of age or older, at the time of onboarding, to be assigned to a hazardous position.
• Be a student enrolled or accepted for enrollment and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying accredited educational institution (high school, technical or vocational school, 2- or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school) on a full- or half-time basis.
• Must maintain a cumulative GPA of a 2.5 or higher and be in good academic standing with the educational institution (PLEASE PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION TO SHOW CURRENT GPA).
• Must enter into a written agreement (Pathways Internship Participant Agreement).
• Provide an unofficial/official certified school transcript and/or proof of enrollment.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
For GS-03 grade level:

• Completion of 1 full academic year of post-high school study; OR
• 6 months of general work experience, which can be any work experience; OR
• 6 months of Firefighter training obtained as part of a high school curriculum (any firefighter training), may be substituted for experience on a month-for-month basis; OR
• Combination of education and work experience described above.

For GS-04 grade level:

• Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university; OR
• 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 include the following:
  • Wildland Fire Suppression such as digging hand line, building or patrolling fireline, suppressing spot fires, mopping up fires, hose lays, connecting buckets to drop water or retardant during firefighting operations, etc.
  • Wildland Fuels Management such as prescribed burning, clearing up burned areas within fireline, felling snags or trees and/or cutting brush around fireline, collecting fuel loads, etc.
  • Monitoring Wildland Fire such as weather, topography, smoke, fire effects, fire behavior, fire location, collect and record fire related data, etc.
  • Wildland Fire Preparedness such as maintains fire tools and equipment - Pulaski's, shovels, McLeods, chainsaws, fire hose, pumps, drip torches, power equipment, vehicles, radios, etc; OR
• Combination of education and work experience described above.

For GS-05 grade level:

• Completion of 4 academic years of post-high school leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university; OR
• 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: on-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention or suppression work as a skilled wildland firefighter; and utilizing a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment; OR
• Combination of education and work experience described above.

Conversion Qualifications: This is a career development, excepted service appointment under the BLM Pathways Internship Program that is expected to last more than 1 year. The BLM will require the selected applicant to complete a Participant Agreement in which the selectee must provide an anticipated date for completing all degree program requirements and show continual progression toward meeting the stated anticipated date.

The agency may non-competitively convert a Career/Indefinite Intern who is a U. S. citizen to a term or permanent appointment in the competitive service, as long as the Intern meets all agency program requirements and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for the target occupational series at the time of completing all education requirements.

To be eligible for conversion, an Intern must:

• Be a United States citizen.
• Complete at least 480 hours of work experience acquired through the Program while enrolled as a half- or full-time degree- or certificate-seeking student.
• Complete a course of academic study, within the preceding 180-day period, at a qualifying educational institution conferring a diploma, certificate or degree.
• Meet the qualification standards for the position to which she or he will be converted.
• Receive a favorable recommendation by an official of the agency or agencies in which she or he served; and
• Meet agency-specific requirements, as specified in the Participant Agreement.

**The target position will be a Wildland Firefighter, GS-0456 with a full performance level (FPL) up to a GS-07; however, the target position and FPL may change based on the need of the organization at that time.**

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.

Once converted, you must meet Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard training requirements for the appropriate grade level at the GS-06 and above as a condition of employment before being eligible for promotion.

You must meet all eligibility and qualification 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.

FACT SHEET for Fire Positions: Information on Special Retirement.

How you will be evaluated

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

Resumes must show relevant experience and other information. Your resume must list your education and work experience including the dates (mm/yyyy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week and optional salary information. 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?

Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s). Failure to provide required information will result in loss of eligibility. You are welcome to submit an optional cover letter.

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

Once you complete and submit your application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic eligibility and minimum qualification requirements for the job. Your eligibility and qualification status will be based on a human resources assessment conducted using qualification standards, your responses to the job-related questions, information provided in your resume, and required supporting documents (see the Required Documents section). Veteran's preference applies to the selection for positions in the Pathways Programs. The examination and selection of applicants will be made in accordance with requirements of the 5 CFR Part 302.

Note: The BLM will apply unranked order by preference status when examining applicants and issuing certificates of eligibles for its General Schedule Pathways Program positions. Only if necessary shall a category rating procedure be applied.

Eligible and qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager in unranked order by preference status: (1) Preference eligible veterans having a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more (CPS and CP); (2) Other preference eligibles (XP); (3) Applicants eligible for 5-point veteran's preference (TP); and those (4) Applicants not eligible for veteran's preference (NV). In addition, interviews may be conducted for this position. The job related questions align with the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the duties of this position.

Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

• Fire Management
• Technical Competence
• Leadership