Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management) (Direct Hire Authority)_

Summary This position is located in Big Cypress National Preserve, in the Fire and Aviation Division. Responsibilities This is a supervisory code 4 and the primary purpose of this position is to direct prescribed fire/fuels management program that includes fuels management activities and functions at the unit/tribal level. These functions include prescribed fire, mechanical and biological fuels treatments, fire effects monitoring, fuels monitoring, smoke monitoring. At this grade level, the incumbent analyzes variables such as weather, fuels (type and condition), topography, fire behavior, management objectives and resource protection concerns, strategies and tactics, resource availability and capability, smoke impacts, employee and public safety, etc., and selects the appropriate strategy for implementing fuels management projects. Directs a fuels management program. Provides short- and long-range planning; budgeting; and management of wildland fire, fuels management, and prescribed fire programs. Ensures the smoke management program complies with state air quality standards. Coordinates with federal, state, tribal and local government air quality officials to comply with operational procedures and reporting requirements. Serves as a member of an interdisciplinary team (forestry, wildlife biology, range management, geology, archeology, etc.) developing and implementing fire management plans; and developing land management plans, compliance documents, and agreements. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males. Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use. You may be required to operate a fire engine and various motor vehicles as part of your official duties; a valid Commercial Driver's License may be required. You will be required to submit your Commercial Driver's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotorwing aircraft. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period. Subject to frequent extended travel up to 14 nights per month particularly during fire season, and you must obtain a government charge card for travel. You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority. Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and also pass a medical examination given by an authorized government physician. You will also be required to periodic medical examinations throughout employment. The Work Capacity Test (WCT-Pack Test) as a method for assessing an employee's fitness levels for fire qualifications in the positions covered by this recruitment notice. WCT Information Qualifications All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 08/31/2024 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience. This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program management (IFPM) Standard. This position has been categorized as a Prescribed Fire & Fuels Specialist (PFFS) High complexity and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to moving into the position. For more information on IFPM, click here. Selective Factors: The applicant must have possessed all the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position: RXB2 (Prescribed burn boss type 2) (Currency is Required) TFLD (Task Force leader) or ICT3 (Incident Commander Type 3) or HEBM (Helibase Manager) (Currency is required) -AND- For GS-0456 positions: NOTE: If your firefighting experience includes both structural and wildland, it is essential that your application materials clearly separate and document your wildland experience. GS-0456-09 One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-08 level in the Federal service. Examples of qualifying specialized for this position is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: Wildland firefighter work. Work that involved directing prescribed fire/fuels management program that includes fuels management activities and functions at the unit level. These functions include prescribed fire, mechanical and biological fuels treatments, fire effects monitoring, fuels monitoring, smoke monitoring. Analyzes variables such as weather, fuels (type and condition), topography, fire behavior, management objectives and resource protection concerns, strategies and tactics, resource availability and capability, smoke impacts, employee, and public safety, etc., and selects the appropriate strategy for implementing fuels management projects. GS-0456-11 One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level, or higher in the Federal service; Examples of specialized experience include: Wildland firefighter work. Work that involved directing a prescribed fire/fuels management program that includes a full range of fuels management activities and functions at the unit level. These functions include prescribed fire, mechanical and biological fuels treatments, fire effects monitoring, fuels monitoring, and smoke monitoring. Served as the technical expert and advisor to the Fire Management Officer and unit level leadership on fuels management and identifies and analyzes multiple variables such as weather, fuels, topography, fire behavior, smoke impacts, employee, and public safety, in strategically developing and implementing fuels management projects. -OR- One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 level, or higher, outside of the Federal service; Examples of specialized experience include: Provided leadership in Wildland firefighter work. Work that involved directing a prescribed fire/fuels management program that includes a full range of fuels management activities and functions at the unit level. These functions include prescribed fire, mechanical and biological fuels treatments, fire effects monitoring, fuels monitoring, and smoke monitoring. Served as the technical expert and advisor to the Fire Management Officer and unit level leadership on fuels management and identifies and analyzes multiple variables such as weather, fuels, topography, fire behavior, smoke impacts, employee, and public safety, in strategically developing and implementing fuels management projects. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must submit a legible copy of your transcripts (A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected). Volunteer Experience: 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. Education There is no qualifying education for this grade/series combination. Additional Information This notice is being issued to recruit personnel to occupations for which a critical hiring need has been identified. To assist in filling these positions, OPM has granted the Department of the Interior "Direct Hire Authority". A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Physical Demands: Normally the work is sedentary but often requires physical exertion while overseeing fire suppression activities including walking over rough, steep, uneven terrain in all types of weather. The incumbent is faced with emergency situations at all hours and must respond quickly. The position may require long shifts or multi-day assignments under primitive living conditions during emergencies. During the fire season, extended fire assignments away from the unit may be required under very stressful conditions. Working Conditions: Although work is generally performed in an office setting. Field work involves exposure to temperature extremes, both from weather and fire conditions where falling trees and the presence of smoke and/or dust create hazardous conditions. The nature of fire suppression work requires that protective clothing (boots, hard hats, etc.) be worn during fire assignments. The incumbent must exercise a variety of safety practices and precautions for the well-being of self and of others. This is a secondary-administrative firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S. C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U. S. C. 8412 (d) (FERS). PLEASE NOTE: Applicants may meet qualification requirements but may not be eligible for special retirement coverage. If such an applicant is selected, they will be placed in the regular retirement system. FERS TRANSITION REQUIREMENT: To be eligible for Secondary retirement coverage under CSRS, an employee must transfer directly (without a break in service exceeding 3 days) from a primary position to a secondary position. To be eligible for Secondary retirement coverage under FERS, an employee must: 1) transfer directly (without a break in service exceeding 3 days) from a primary position to a secondary position, AND 2) complete 3 years of service in a primary rigorous position including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld, AND 3) must be continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a primary rigorous position, except for any break in employment from a secondary position that began with involuntary separation (not for cause). It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your special retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your work history or other documentation that demonstrates work history of approved retirement covered positions). You must let this office know if you are in a Primary retirement covered position.