Job opening: Forestry Technician (Fire Operations Specialist)
Salary: $54 292 - 70 578 per year
Relocation: YES
Published at: Aug 23 2024
Employment Type: Full-time
These positions will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit.
This position serves as a technical specialist in the area of fire suppression and fire leadership in support of the unit's initial attack fire suppression effort.
See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section for Regional Contacts.
Duties
Duties listed are at full performance grade GS-08 level.
Provide analysis of on-the-ground fuel conditions, weather, and availability of resources to ensure conformance to fire management plans. Analyze and interpret data for the development of fuels treatment and urban plans for a fire management program.
Gathers data on the specific type of preparation needed before work begins and makes recommendations of any changes needed.
Set fire crew work schedules and duty stations for fire management projects to meet fire management plan objectives.
Develop initial attack strategies for fire suppression actions in accordance with fire management objectives and policies.
Plans and executes forestry and fire management support work following patterns most likely to achieve project objectives such as monitoring and inspecting timber, reporting on contractor compliance, and handling situations involving problems.
Develops and executes prescribed burning plans for complex burn projects and a wide variety of fuel types. Coordinates the fuels inventory program, pre-attack planning, and backlog slash inventory with annual fuel treatment work plans.
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.
- Secondary Coverage: Prior 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-08: One of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal Service; 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); OR combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position (in excess of 18 semester/27 quarter hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.
Examples of specialized experience are: Performed limited operational projects to address technical fire management problems, such as assisting with the analysis of on-the-ground fuel conditions, weather, and availability of resources to ensure conformance to fire management plans; gathers data for the development of fuel treatment and urban plans; assist in the implementation of the fuels management program; and executes forestry and fire management support work such as monitoring and inspecting timber and reporting on contractor compliance.
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. Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history.
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 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
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]