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. Veterans' Preference is not applicable to this announcement. To learn more about Direct-Hire Authority, go to: OPM.GOV Hiring Information - DHA.
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. Veterans' Preference is not applicable to this announcement. To learn more about Direct-Hire Authority, go to: OPM.GOV Hiring Information - DHA.
The hourly rate is reflective of the new Special Base Rate (SBR) Salary Table for the General Wildland Firefighter (GW) pay plan effective 3/23/2025.
Applications will be accepted from all qualified U.S. Citizens. This is a public notice under the Direct Hiring Authority.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is looking for temporary employees to work as Fire Dispatchers in Billings and Lewistown, MT (Rocky Mountain Regional Office).
A Fire Dispatcher (GW-06 Forestry Technician) serves as a dispatcher receiving fire reports, determines location, land status, and current fire information, and dispatches personnel, equipment, aircraft, and/or supplies. Interprets weather information and gives to management for making decisions. Inputs data into a number of fire-related computer applications. May train other dispatchers.
A Fire Dispatcher (GW-07 Forestry Technician) serves as a senior fire dispatcher in a dispatch center. Performs and directs others in receiving fire reports, determining location, land status, and current fire information. Determines appropriate resource response to incidents. Anticipates fire suppression needs and determines resource allocation. Coordinates aviation dispatch operation. Inputs data into a number of fire-related computer applications.
Government housing is unavailable for the locations advertised on this announcement. For contact information, visit Fire Contacts on the DOI FIRES website. To view a list of contacts by agency, select Montana.
For more information about temporary fire positions with DOI, go to the following link: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/.
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.
Form BIA-4432, Verification of Indian preference for Employment (if claiming Indian Preference).
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 GW-06
You must meet at least one of the following:
1). One (1) year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GW/GS-05 level duties.
Examples of specialized work experience may include but are not limited to:
Performing dispatch and dispatch office functions related to wildland fire suppression activities such as receiving and reviewing fire incident reports, working with wildland fire dispatch computer programs, and/or determining fire resource needs.
-OR-
2). One (1) year of graduate level education directly related to this position.
-OR-
3). A combination of education and experience directly related to the work of the position.
To qualify for a GW-07
You must meet at least one of the following:
1). One (1) year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GW/GS-06 level duties.
Examples of specialized work experience may include but are not limited to:
Performing and directing others in dispatch and dispatch office functions related to wildland fire suppression activities, providing logistical support information and making recommendations for efficient use of available resources.
-OR-
2). One (1) year of graduate education directly related to this position.
-OR-
3). A combination of education and experience directly related to the work of the position.
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: The work involves long hours of sitting, intense concentration, and working at peak proficiency/intensity levels with irregular breaks and mealtimes. The duties of this position create a highly stressful environment during peak activity, requiring the ability to keep calm in emergency situations. Must be able to cope with the pressure of meeting timeframes and changing priorities. Mental concentration and accuracy are required.
Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in an office setting. During peak activity, increased radio traffic, numerous ringing phones, and conversations result in high noise levels, which require a high level of concentration to perform duties. This creates a high stress work environment.
Proof of Education:
To qualify based on education, you MUST submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. 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.
Foreign Education:
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you MUST show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
You will be evaluated based on how your application materials reflect the minimum qualification requirements of this position. Once the job opportunity announcement closes, your resume and all supporting documents will be reviewed by HR to determine if you are minimally qualified for the position. 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 minimally qualified candidates will be referred for consideration. Please note that the hiring office may conduct interviews at their discretion. Interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis.
The competencies below provide an overview of what the these GW-06/07 positions entail once encumbered:
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.
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/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 - if qualifying based on education. For more information, see the Education section.
BIA Form 4432: Verification of Indian Preference (if claiming preference). Note, this is the only form accepted for verification. Failure to supply documentation will result in ineligibility of preference.
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.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
* 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.
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.
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 2-page 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://secure.login.gov/.
For information on what each Application Status means: https://help.usajobs.gov/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.
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 referred, not eligible, not qualified, 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.
Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
If you were not referred and/or have questions or concerns regarding your rating determination or referral status, in the interest of time, please submit your inquiry in writing within seven (7) calendar days of receiving a Notice of Results and Referral notification email. Inquiries may be submitted to BLM_FA_FIRES@BLM.GOV. Be sure to include the announcement number to assist our team in reviewing your inquiry.
You will receive a final notification if this job is filled or cancelled. Timelines for this process vary widely.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
