This position is located at a USDA Forest Service Unit. The primary purpose of this position is to assist in managing the activities of the Smokejumper Group and to provide the Forest Service's highest level of technical expertise in the field of smokejumping operations, loft, loadmaster, training and prescribed fire. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Deirdre Cherry at [email protected]

Duties

Duties listed are at full performance grade GS-09 level. Serves as cargo dropper in charge of aerial delivery missions in a variety of aircraft involving both paracargo and free-fall delivery using systems varying from standard single-chute to roller-palletized bundles with multiple chute clusters. Trains and checks performance of spotter trainees for spotting missions of widely varied scope and complexity as to type of aircraft, number of jumpers, number and character of fires, terrain and weather conditions. Performs the administrative and human resource management functions relative to the staff supervised. Formulates and develops plans, contract specifications, and schedules for well-precedented fire management operations. Serves as spotter and makes critical safety decisions on jump actions, and fire strategies and tactics. Provides advice and counsel to workers related to work and administrative matters.

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.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• 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.
• Must meet job-related medical, fitness, and/or physical standards as determined by an examination or test.
• Must be licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Senior Parachute Rigger.

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: GS8: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7); OR two full years (36 semester/54 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level education or master's degree if the coursework 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 a combination of successful completion of graduate level education and experience. Examples of specialized experience include: Performing as an Initial Attack Commander responsible for leading a squad of personnel in wildland suppression activities; Directing and coordinating all types of related aircraft, fireline personnel and equipment; Leading other crew members in all applicable smokejumper duties including parachute rigging and repair, paracargo rigging, aircraft loading, sewing and manufacturing, equipment maintenance and other duties which support the smokejumper program. GS9: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-8); OR; two full years (36 semester/54 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level education or master's degree if the coursework 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 combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position (in excess of 18 semester/27 quarter hours) and specialized experience. Examples of specialized experience include: Serving as spotter and making critical safety decisions on jump actions and fire strategies and tactics; Assisting in managing Smokejumper Safety Programs such as Smokejumper First Aid or Prescribed Fire/Fuels Treatment and Chainsaw Safety, or Smokejumper Spotter/Pilot Program; Serving as a cargo dropper in charge of aerial delivery missions in a variety of aircraft involving both paracargo and free-fall delivery using systems. Smokejumper duties present unusual hazards and require that personnel be in excellent physical condition and possess a high degree of emotional stability and mental alertness. The health of individuals must be such that they have the capacity to meet demands for performance in the position and for human reliability. Before entrance on duty, and periodically during employment, smokejumpers must undergo a medical exam, physical conditioning, and an adeptness test. Failure to meet any of the required standards will be considered disqualifying for employment or a basis of termination.See Medical Requirements for Smokejumper Positions. During the training period, incumbents are continually evaluated on their ability to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in various aspects of parachute jumping and smokejumper-related tasks, including aircraft exit procedures, parachute landing falls, parachute maneuvering, timber let-down procedures, parachute and cargo retrieving, tree climbing, and chainsaw and hand tool use. Incumbents who cannot perform up to the required standards of proficiency will be terminated from the smokejumper program. Smokejumpers must perform safely and efficiently in extreme temperatures and weather conditions, often with severe smoke and dust. Terrain may be extremely steep, uneven, rocky, and covered with thick tangled vegetation. Conditions riding in aircraft may be hot, cramped, and extremely turbulent, which may promote airsickness. The hazardous nature of the work requires that protective clothing (jump suit, helmet, boots, gloves, fire resistant clothing, etc.) be worn and protective equipment, including fire shelters, be carried. Selective Placement Factors Must be licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Senior Parachute Rigger. Currently or have been previously qualified as a smokejumper on an organized wildland fire smokejumper crew. 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. WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS, MODERATE, or LIGHT level is a condition of employment. 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

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]