Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our greatest natural resource. This position is located with the BLM Fire & Aviation Directorate, located at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), in Boise, Idaho. Information about the surrounding area can be found at https://www.boisechamber.org/ We expect to fill one (1) position at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

Duties

Serves as an active smokejumper and smokejumper spotter. Parachutes into mountainous terrain, landing in timbered areas or on rough ground for fire suppression, point protection, or monitoring. Plans and directs aerial attack of single or numerous fires from different smokejumper aircraft. Evaluates fire size and behavior, determines personnel and retardant needs, delivers personnel and supplies, and assigns air traffic control positions. Packs, repairs, inspects, and maintains parachutes and related smokejumper equipment. Oversees these operations as a rigging supervisor and packs emergency reserve parachutes. Operates remote spike base with up to 40 smokejumpers and 3 aircraft. Serves as liaison for Great Basin Smokejumpers in satellite operations, interacting with interagency dispatch centers, coordination centers, and fire management personnel. Assists in development of smokejumper department policies and manuals. Manages all aspects of daily smokejumper department operations, ensuring applicable policies and guidelines are followed. Directly supervises the assistant department manager and specialists assigned. Serves as the smokejumper group’s technical expert and main contact for department issues. Communicates within and outside the agency at the national, geographic area and state levels regarding departmental policy and procedures. Analyzes, predicts, and tracks budget needs for all smokejumper department operations and related equipment. Provides the full range of technical and administrative supervision for the Smokejumper Assistant Manager and Smokejumper Specialists. Initiates and completes Employee Performance Appraisals Plans (EPAP) for each subordinate, addresses expectations, evaluates performance, provides feedback. Prepares Individual Development Plans with subordinates to establish and document short- and long-term training needs, career goals and developmental objectives. Acts as the Chief/Deputy Chief of Smokejumpers in their absence. In consultation with the Deputy Chief of Smokejumpers, the Smokejumper Manager accomplishes assignments within the constraints of Bureau of Land Management policy and regulations.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Be sure to read the How to Apply and Required Documents Sections.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
• Direct Deposit Required.
• Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
• Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
• An applicant appointed to this position must possess (or obtain within 30 days of entrance on duty) and maintain a valid state driver's license while employed in this position.
• Passage of a pre-employment physical is required. You must also pass the work capacity test for arduous positions.
• May require completion of a one year probationary period.
• 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.

Qualifications

Selective Placement Factors (SPFs): 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: SPF #1: Prior Smokejumping Experience Required: this must be documented with specific dates in the resume. SPF #2: FAA Certified Senior or Master Rigger. Specialized Experience: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the minimum qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. For GS-10: To qualify for the GS-10 grade level, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 is required. Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is directly related to: performing aerial delivery of firefighting personnel and equipment into rugged terrain; coordinating logistical needs, and interfacing with management, cooperators, and the public; operating as an Initial Attack Incident Commander; instructing or independently directing work projects of crewmembers; training smokejumpers with established smokejumper training methods or procedures; functioning as a FAA Senior or Master Parachute Rigger. There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-10 grade level. For GS-11: To qualify for the GS-11 grade level, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-10 is required. Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is directly related to: performing aerial delivery of firefighting personnel and equipment into rugged terrain; coordinating logistical needs, and interfacing with management, cooperators, and the public; operating as an Initial Attack Incident Commander; instructing or independently directing work projects of crewmembers; developing, coordinating and supervising the training of smokejumpers; program management, coordination, and planning; establishing smokejumper training methods or procedures; functioning as a FAA Senior or Master Parachute Rigger. There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level. 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. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level. If selected at the lower grade, subsequent promotion to the next grade level will be processed without further competition dependent upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties. Medical Requirements Please see the Department of Interior Medical Standards Program website for the Federal Interagency Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for your position: http://www.nifc.gov/medical_standards/index.html Physical Requirements Employment in this position is conditional upon your successful completion of the following BLM smokejumper physical fitness performance tests: When you report for duty, you will be given a physical condition test. The test is given in one time period with a 5-minute break between exercises. The test consists of performing the following exercises: 30 push-ups 6 pull-ups Run 1.5 miles in 10.47 minutes or less OR backpacking a 110 pound load three miles in less than 65 minutes. Work Capacity Test at the Arduous Level: All arduous wildland firefighters must backpack a 45 pound load for three miles in 45 minutes or less. Physical Demands: This position may require long periods of standing, digging, bending and kneeling. Must be able to carry 120 pound packs up to 5 miles or more. Parachuting into remote terrain under hazardous conditions. Work Environment: Work is primarily in an office. Approximately 35 percent of the time is spent in the field. Telework: This position is not eligible for Telework. Firefighter Special Retirement: This is a secondary/administrative fire position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age policy, the selectee must have prior service in a primary position and meet the transfer requirement for movement from a primary to secondary position to be eligible for special retirement coverage. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your SF-50). YOU MUST LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN A PRIMARY POSITION. THIS IS A DRUG TESTING DESIGNATED POSITION in accordance with Executive Order 12564, and under the Department's Drug Free Workplace Program. 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address NIFC, Fire and Aviation Human Resources (MS-1700) 3833 South Development Avenue Boise, ID 83705 US
• Name: FA-HR-Internal NIFC
• Phone: 208-387-5523
• Email: [email protected]