Supervisory Wildland Firefighter

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens - No previous federal service is required. This position is being advertised under an OPM government-wide Direct Hire authority. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.

Duties

Serves on various interagency committees, teams and work groups dealing with specific local, geographic or national fire management issues. Exercises significant responsibilities in dealing with officials of higher rank; assures reasonable equity of performance standards and rating techniques developed by subordinate supervisors, team leaders, contractors, or similar personnel. Develops and implements a communication plan. Briefs decision makers. Coordinates plans of action with affected cooperators. Ensures information related to wildland fire, prescribed fire, and fire program components for internal and external audiences is accurate and timely. Ensures that the fire management program is in compliance with environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Directs and supervises all phases of the budget formulation process to assure valance in the fire organization at varying levels of funding, and initiates changes as appropriate. Oversees development, implementation, and review of fire cost recovery and fire trespass procedures and investigations. Provides guidance and oversight to management and staff. Hears and resolves complaints from employees; identifies developmental and trainings needs of employees; and finds ways to improve production and increase the quality of the work directed. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts priorities, and prepared schedules for completion of work.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

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 Land. Direct Deposit Required. Background Investigation Required. Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination. Failure to possess or obtain a favorable determination will result in the cancellation of the offer or will be grounds for termination. Supervisory Probationary Period: If you are selected for this position, you will be required to serve a one year supervisory/managerial probationary period if one has not previously been completed. You must meet specified levels on annual physical fitness tests, and pass periodic medical exams for wildland fire personnel, commensurate with current incident management qualification. You must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position. 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. This position requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work during peak fire season. May require completion of a one year probationary period. Applicants appointed to this position must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience Requirements :
In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement(s); please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled.

To qualify for the GS-13 grade level, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) is required in addition to meeting the basic qualification requirements. Examples include, but are not limited to: advising high level management officials on fire management planning at the district or state level or equivalent; reviewing wildland fire preparedness actions and operating plans; evaluating, coordinating, directing and implementing policy to support wildland fire management programs and operations; familiarity with budget formulation and expenditure of funds; supervising or leading a staff of fire and aviation professionals responsible for fire and aviation programs.

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.

Substitution of Education for Experience:
There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-13 grade level.

Selective Placement Factor(s) : 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.

1.) 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 Unit Fire Program Manager - HIGH Complexity , and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position unless stated otherwise.

To meet IFPM requirements, you must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required at time of referral, but may be required to obtain and maintain currency if selected):

A.) Division Supervisor (DIVS) AND Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) OR Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, Type 2 (RXB2)
-OR-
B.) Aviation Support Group Supervisor (ASGS) AND Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3)

To meet additional IFPM training requirements, as a "condition of employment", you must complete the following withinone year of the entry on duty date:

Fire Program Management (M-581)

You must meet all qualification and selective placement factor requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

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 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.

Work Environment : 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 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). While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age policy, the selectee must have prior service in a primary position (3 years of service in primary/rigorous position(s)) 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.

FACT SHEET for Fire Positions:

Education

See Qualifications Section.

---