Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management Specialist)

Summary This position is located on a USDA Forest Service within the Pacific Southwest Region, Region 5. The incumbent assists the Program Manager in the development, organization and administration of the Region-wide fuels management program and provides advice, assistance, and direction to Forests to establish appropriate response to planned and unplanned ignitions. For additional information about the duties of these positions, see Additional Information section below. Learn more about this agency Duties Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-12. Responsible for the development of methodologies and protocols for the fuels management program. Coordinates with air quality specialists in developing and review of smoke management and air quality as it relates to planned and unplanned ignitions. Provides advice, assistance and direction to Forests, and participates with other specialists in developing management protocols for assigned program activities. Assists with the coordination and development of an integrated program with other resource specialists, interagency partners, and stakeholders. Assists with budget formulation and performance tracking. Assists in providing scientific and technical direction for regional natural resources programs and activities, including information on laws, rules, and regulations. Utilizes and provides technical help with state-of-the-art scientific methods and computer-based models and databases to identify fuel and vegetative treatments to restore fire adapted ecosystems. Serves as a member of fire and fuels review teams, and prescribed fire reviews to ensure compliance with regional and local policies, regulations and laws, and facilitates coordination of fuels management with other resource areas. Assists the Program Leader for Hazardous Fuels and Prescribed Fire. Provides significant assistance in the development, organization, and administration of the fuels management, prescribed fire, and landscape restoration programs. Requirements Conditions of employment 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. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information. 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. 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. Basic Requirement 0401 Series:Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry, or related discipline appropriate to the position being filled. -OR- Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GW-11 level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-09 grade level in the federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: Developed fire management plans to ensure resource objectives can be met from a fire management standpoint; Conducted field inspections before and/or after prescribed fires or wildland fires to determine if defined resource objectives have been met. -OR- 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled such as biological sciences, botany, ecology, horticulture, climate sciences, natural resource management); -OR- An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). For the GW-12 level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-11 grade level in the federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: Reviewed and evaluated fire management plans for ecological soundness and technical adequacy; Conducted field inspections before and after prescribed or wildland fires to determine if resource objectives were achieved and/or to evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken; Developed analyses on the ecological role of fire and its use and/or exclusion, and smoke management. 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 firefighter position under 5 USC 8336 (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). 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. 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 above for education requirement(s) for this position. Additional information Position(s) will be located at Forest Office within Geographic Area California. To see the different locations within the Regional Offices | US Forest Service (usda.gov) Final determination of the duty station will be made by the selecting official at the time of the job offer. Pay rates vary depending on location, the salary shown is for the Rest of the U.S. See OPM.gov for additional information on pay rates Geographic Area California - Brian Grabowski- [email protected] Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer. The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website. Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Desk, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email [email protected] PROMOTION POTENTIAL: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied or guaranteed. This is a bargaining unit position and is represented by either NFFE, AFGE, or NAGE. Forest Service daycare facilities may be available. Government Housing may be available. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.