Job opening: Fire Ecologist
Salary: $59 966 - 94 317 per year
Relocation: YES
Published at: Feb 07 2024
Employment Type: Full-time
These positions are located on a USDA Forest Service Unit within Region 3, Southwestern Region.
The incumbent is responsible for collection and analysis of field data, project, and landscape level planning input, and technical assistance needed for reestablishing fire's role in the ecological systems.
See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Section for location representative details.
Duties
Duties listed are at full performance grade GS-11 Level.
Interprets available data in terms of the variables involved, the effect on other resources, and the rationale of the competing interests. Prepares or assists in preparation of draft environmental impact statements or environmental analysis reports.
Participates in the development of Fire Management Action Plans and Forest Fire Prevention plans. Develops, reviews, and monitors plans for fuels and vegetation management.
Develops plans for a multiple-use forest resource area with diverse and complex problems and considerations. Calculates the cost of the program based on staffing, equipment, supply, and material requirements.
Reviews and prepares long- and/or short-range plans for prevention, detection, pre-suppression, suppression, prescribed fire coordination and implementation, and fuels management efforts as well as plan for their integration.
Perform other fire suppression related duties as assigned.
Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical capabilities.
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.
Basic Requirement:
GS-0401:
Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry, or related discipline appropriate to the position being filled.
-OR-
Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GS-09: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as: Developed fire management plans to ensure resource objectives can be met from a fire management standpoint; Conducted field inspections before and/or after prescribed fires or wildland fires to determine if defined resource objectives have been met.
-OR-
A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., (coursework directly related to the position being filled such as biological sciences, botany, ecology, horticulture, climate sciences, natural resource management);
-OR-
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
For the GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level.Specialized experience is defined as: Managed and evaluated fire management plans for ecological soundness and technical adequacy; Conducted field inspections before and after prescribed or wildland fires to determine if resource objectives were achieved and/or to evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken; and Developed analyses on the ecological role of fire and its use and/or exclusion, and smoke management.
-OR-
3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled such as biological sciences, botany, ecology, horticulture, climate sciences, natural resource management);
-OR-
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.).
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.
Selective Placement Factors
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.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
See above for education requirement(s) for this position.
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]