Job opening: Lead Wildland Firefighter (Helicopter Manager) - Direct Hire Authority
Salary: $61 328 - 79 725 per year
Published at: Mar 22 2024
Employment Type: Full-time
Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource.
This position is located in Fairbanks, AK. Information about the surrounding area may be found by clicking on the location name listed.
This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: DHA
We expect to fill 1 vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.
Duties
Serves as a Helicopter Manager with an Exclusive Use contracted helicopter responding to wildland fires.
Provides day-to-day fireline supervision of firefighters in initial and extended attack wildland fire line operations.
Provides aerial and ground fire assessment, development of control strategy and tactics, and deployment and assignment of personnel and equipment.
Deployment and assignment of personnel and equipment, communicating with fire dispatch and other resources, ordering of additional suppression resources.
Works in conjunction with other resources assigned to the incident including aircraft and provides pilots, crews, and dispatchers with detailed instructions on incident objectives, situations, and tactics.
Under the guidance of a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), participate in contracting officer’s administrative representative (COAR).
Monitors, verifies, and documents aircraft use, completes day flight invoices and prepares cost summaries on a daily or project basis.
Leads three or more regularly.
Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees.
Requirements
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Be sure to read the HOW TO APPLY and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS Sections.
- Direct Deposit Required.
- Background Investigation Required.
- Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background investigation. Failure to possess or obtain a favorable determination will result in the cancellation of the offer or will be grounds for termination.
- You must meet specified levels on annual physical fitness tests, and pass periodic medical exams for wildland fire personnel, commensurate with current incident management qualification.
- You must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position.
- You must pass a pre-employment physical.
- 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.
- May require completion of a one year probationary period.
- Applicants appointed to this position must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
Qualifications
Specialized Experience Requirements:
In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement(s); please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled.
To qualify for the GS-08 grade level, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 is required. Examples of work experience include but are not limited to: Experience in leading and administering the implementation of strategies, tactics, and suppression methods using rotor wing aircraft; overseeing complex aircraft operations in fire and for resource management missions to include the use of the NWCG National Standards for Helicopter Operations and oversight of aircraft contracts, implementing current aviation safety practices and procedures along with the risk analysis process.
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.
Substitution of Education for Experience:
There is no substitution of education for experience for this grade level.
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. 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.
2.) You must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management (qualifications to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required):
A.) Firefighter, Type 1 (FFT1) AND Helicopter Manager, Single Resource (HMGB)
**You must meet all qualification and selective placement factor 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. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor bivouac and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances. Firefighters may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft.
This is a primary firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). The position is subject to maximum entry age (MEA) requirements. The MEA for this position shall not exceed age 37. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. See Required Documents Section.
FACT SHEET for Fire Positions: Information on Special Retirement.
Education
See Qualifications Section
Contacts
- Address BLM Alaska
222 W 7th Ave #13
Anchorage, AK 99513
US
- Name: FA-HR-External-10 NIFC
- Phone: 208-387-5927
- Email: [email protected]
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