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FORESTRY TECHNICIAN-Direct Hire Authority

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Materiel Command
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Veteran's preference does not apply to DHA recruitment

Click on Learn more about this agency" button below for more information.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve in a key fire management position in a field fire management organization as a Fire Operations and Prescribed Fire/Fuels Technician.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open date: 12/16/2025
Closed date: 01/04/2026
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$34,454 - $61,449 per year
Pay scale & grade
NJ 2
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
AFMC-046202-12853685-JDH
Control number
852601700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Duties

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  • Supports initial attach on wildfires and implementation of prescribed fires for protection of valuable resources including Air Force facilities, timber, recreation sites, critical habitat of flora and fauna and private property.
  • Establishes priorities, allocates resources, and supervises the mobilization, demobilization and reassignment of wildland fire suppression and prescribed fire resources necessary to support current and anticipated initial attack and logistical support for operations within the local, geographic and national area.
  • The technician performs fireline activities such as line construction, hose layout, operation of pumps and water handling accessories, breaking up of fuel concentrations by lopping and scattering brush, wood, etc., using hand and power tools, and holding/patrol/mop-up operations.
  • Operates mobile firefighting equipment, e.g., tenders, engines, tractor/transports and all-terrain vehicles (ATV's). Technician is responsible for the safe operation of various pieces of firefighting equipment. Utilizes and maintain aerial fire ignition devices and equipment. Participates in fire and safety training in the techniques, practices and methods of fire suppression and in the safe, efficient operation of tools, equipment and vehicles used in fireline activities, with emphasis on those used in the particular function assigned.
  • The technician may be required to perform other natural resource related tasks related to ecological monitoring as well as forest and/or wildlife management.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guidance
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • For more information on Acq Demo please go to DoD AcqDemo Homepage http://acqdemo.hci.mil/ and Fact Sheet http://acqdemo.hci.mil/faq.html
  • Position may require an appropriate security clearance
  • Employee must maintain current certifications
  • Position may be subject to random drug testing
  • Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays
  • Shift work and emergency overtime may be required
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
  • This position may require travel.
  • This position may require drug testing, and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection.
  • Selectee is expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.
  • Selectee may be required to serve a probationary or trial period.
  • At least two years experience in wildfire suppression and prescribed fire operations.
  • Employee is required to use all safety equipment and clothing provided by management.
  • Ability to work long hours out-of-doors under adverse environmental conditions to include, but not be limited to, heat, dust, smoke and cold.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, in Technical and Medical support positions.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT

Individual Occupational Requirements: Must have seasonal experience. A season of experience is considered to be a period of no less than 3 months of continuous employment on a seasonal basis.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NJ-01, equivalent to the next to lower grade GS-04 or equivalent in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes which includes forestry aid or technician work; engineering, range, or soil conservation technician work that involved the application of cultural, resource conservation, or land management practices on non forest or ranch lands when combined with knowledge of forestry operations and equipment; farming or ranching work that involved application of cultural and soil and water conservation practices, including safety and use of equipment, and that provided a basic understanding of land use; forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work.
OR
EDUCATION:
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as those shown above for NJ-02/GS-5. No more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
1. Expert knowledge regarding interagency dispatch procedures including the ability to manage resource orders and produce report using the Resource Ordering and Status System {ROSS).
2. Knowledge of principles, practices, techniques, and procedures of general natural resources management and biological sciences to effectively perform functions associated with wildland fire suppression.
3. Knowledge of the policies, techniques and practices of wild land firefighting obtained through substantial service as a primary/rigorous firefighter of the Federal government or in a similar firefighting position outside the Federal government; knowledge of safety requirements as outlined in applicable safety standards, regulations, and/or technical orders.
4. Skill in operating communications equipment; and in detecting and recognizing fire hazards (potential and immediate); skill and ability to operate and maintain various types of equipment and vehicles used for fighting wildfire and carrying out prescribed burning operations.
5. Ability to maintain good working relations; to communicate orally and in writing; and to lift and carry heavy loads.
6. Ability to apply emergency first aid techniques.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Additional information

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in selection.

This job announcement may close at any time - apply now!

Direct Deposit:
All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

Air Force Materiel Command

The mission of the United States Air Force is: To fly, fight, and win ... Airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. Core competencies and distinctive capabilities are based on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide:

  • US Citizen

Agency contact information

Air Force Test Center Recruitment
Email
AFTC.Enterprise.Recruiting@us.af.mil
Address
Eglin AFB
310 W Van Matre Ave
Ste 102
Eglin AFB, FL 32542
US

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