Job opening: Forestry Technician (Airtanker Base)
Salary: $42 022 - 60 703 per year
Relocation: YES
Published at: Aug 31 2023
Employment Type: Full-time
These positions will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit.
The primary purpose of this position is to perform wildland firefighting work and to lead crews performing such work.
See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION for Regional contacts.
Duties
Duties listed are at full performance grade GS-07 level.
Performs various technical airtanker-related duties such as operating or overseeing the use of specialized equipment used by an airtanker base, retardant mixing and delivery systems.
Coordinates all movement of aircraft, vehicles, and personnel on the ramp. Maintains the safety of ramp operations. Monitors and directs personnel (parking tenders, retardant loaders, fuel vendors and mechanics) in ramp operations.
Provides flight information such as incident location, heading, and radio frequencies to aircrew. Briefs on hazards and conditions that may affect air operations.
Serves as Project Inspector for the base's aviation and retardant contracts. Performs day-to-day contract inspections and enforces contractual provisions.
Maintains Daily Flight Invoices, Contract Daily Diaries, retardant deliveries, total gallons used, and all costs associated with the operation.
Directs and participates in the maintenance of the base buildings, grounds, equipment, and water systems.
Requirements
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
- Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
- Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
- Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
- Must be 18 years of age.
- This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice.
- Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions.
- Minimum of 90 days of wildland firefighting experience is required.
- Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
- Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver's license; a commercial driver's license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination.
- There may be additional Conditions of Employment not listed here, however applicants will be notified of any specific requirements at the time a tentative job offer is made.
Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GS-06: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 in the Federal service OR one full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university OR have a combination of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience as defined above.
Specialized experience is defined as the following: Assisting in providing facility maintenance, oversight and/or procedures for repairs and improvements. Assisting higher level personnel with contract preparation and/or administration. Using specialized airtanker equipment and ensuring equipment is in proper working order.
For the GS-07: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 in the Federal service OR have one full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university OR have a combination of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience as defined above.
Specialized experience is defined as the following: Assisting in the safe loading of fire retardant materials into airtankers. Providing facility maintenance, oversight and/or procurement for repairs and improvements. Assisting in administering aircraft and retardant contracts.
Selective Placement Factors:
Must obtain RAMP qualification within 6 months of hire.
A minimum 90 days experience performing on-the-line (Primary/Rigorous) wildland fire suppression duties as a member of an organized fire suppression crew or comparable unit that utilized knowledge of wildland fire suppression, containment or control techniques and practices under various conditions. This experience must be documented with specific dates in the online application or resume.
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.
FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System.
Education
See QUALIFICATIONS section for education requirements.
Contacts
- Address USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center
DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT
Albuquerque, NM 87109
US
- Name: HRM Contact Center
- Phone: 1-877-372-7248 X2
- Email: [email protected]