Forestry Technician (Prescribed Fire and Fuels/Equipment Operator)

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-6 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal Service; OR one full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture); OR A combination of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

Examples of specialized experience include: Participating in prescribed fire operations including line preparation, igniting, and/or holding strategies. Collecting and compiling fuels management field inventory data where a variety of fuel variations were involved. Inventorying fuel beds, preparing associated reports, performing hazard fuel reduction projects, monitoring burning conditions, piling vegetation debris and/or acted in assigned positions such as ignition or holding specialist or other designated positions during actual fuel reduction efforts by prescribed fire. Operated a variety of motor vehicles to transport equipment, supplies, crew members. Positioned equipment in appropriate locations in consideration of safety of personnel and equipment. Balances workloads, checks on progress, corrects unsafe or incorrect procedures, and ensures that tools and equipment are available, and ensures equipment/transport/tender are maintained routinely.

For the GS-7 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service; OR one full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture); OR A combination of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

Examples of specialized experience include: Participating in routine aspects of inventorying and monitoring for wildland fire, prescribed fire, and/or natural resource activities. Planning and directing field resource data collection for fuel hazard management program. Assisting in developing and implementing specific plans for fuels treatment projects. Assisted with inspections, checks, services, and adjustments to tracked loader, instruments, and related equipment, had equipment always ready for immediate use. Operated the tracked loader treating hazardous fuels utilizing multiple attachments to meet the treatment specifications. Operates and positions equipment in appropriate locations in consideration of safety of personnel and equipment.

Selective Placement Factors

This position requires the selectee to possess a Valid State Driver's License.

This position requires the selectee to obtain or possess a Commercial Driver's License (CDL).

Must have 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. 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.