Lead Wildland Firefighter

Clarification from the agency

ALL U.S. CITIZENS. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: These positions will be filled using Direct Hire Authority for this occupation. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.

Duties

Serves as an Engine Captain and oversees operation of a fire engine module. Leads three or more regularly assigned firefighters applying an understanding of firefighter safety, fire behavior, weather, fuels, and training in fire management. Drives and operates a wildland fire engine, positioning the engine for proper use and operation, and coordinates module or crew logistics and places caches of equipment and supplies at strategic points. Operates, moves, inspects, and performs preventative maintenance on vehicles and equipment to include crew carriers, fire engines, command vehicles, pickups, and other specialized equipment. Ensures adequate supply of water and chemical agents are maintained to the fire, particularly on critical areas of the fireline; and locates water sources and checks for volume and cleanliness for engine resupply. Performs/conducts engine operations techniques, including tandem operations, mobile attack, pump and roll, firing and holding operations, stationary attack, engine protection, simple and progressive hose lays. Ensures pump tests and daily engine preventative maintenance equipment checks are completed; and that the engine is kept in a full state of readiness for emergency fire dispatch. Ensures assigned crew members or daily work assignments are in a state of readiness for the assignment or initial attack.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

U.S. Citizenship Required You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit You may be required to successfully complete a probationary period A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. If you are a male applicant born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency. This position requires the incumbent to possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. This is a Testing Designated Position and is subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. This position is subject to pre-employment and annual medical screening and physical fitness testing. This is a Permanent, Full-Time Seasonal Position and is subject to placement in Non-Pay Status when services are not needed do to lack of work, funds, or unforeseen circumstances.

Qualifications

NOTE : 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 Engine Module Supervisor (EMLS) and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS :

GS-8 : 1 year of creditable specialized wildland fire work experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level or higher in the Federal Service that demonstrates your ability to; lead three or more assigned firefighters provide situational leadership; mentor and instruct lower-level employees; direct utilization of fire resources; direct suppression operations; attack, control, mop up fires, build firelines, clean up burned areas and suppress spot fires; and directing the operation of special tools and equipment. Examples include serving in a leadership capacity on wildland fires, prescribed fires, and resource management projects to coordinate work, identify and analyze suppression tactics and strategies employed on wildland fires; making on-site evaluations of conditions and tactical decisions; determining appropriate responses specific to initial attack, large wildland fire suppression activities; determining preparedness and operational needs annually and exercising procurement authority; assists in formulating budget and tracking expenditures; and coordinates, facilitates/instructs wildland fire training courses.

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS : These are MANDATORY qualification prerequisites to qualify for this position. The applicant must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this designated Engine Module Supervisor (EMLS) position: Primary Core Requirement : Engine Boss, (ENGB) or higher Secondary Core Requirement : Incident Commander Type 4, (ICT4) or higher NOTE: Selective factors are knowledges, skills, abilities, or special qualifications that are in addition to the minimum requirements in a qualification standard, but are determined to be essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Applicants who do not meet the selective factors are ineligible for further consideration. You MUST provide a current copy of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other agency equivalent documentation which verifies you meet the required NWCG qualifications for this IFPM position when submitting your application. Selectees for IFPM positions requiring currency will be required to obtain and maintain currency for the NWCG qualifications listed above.

MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE (MEA) AND FIREFIGHTER SPECIAL RETIREMENT COVERAGE : This is a Primary/Rigorous Firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) (FERS). The maximum entry-age (MEA) for this position shall not exceed age 37, unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian law enforcement or firefighter experience or you are a preference eligible veteran. Applicants must be 18 years of age, but not have reached their 37th birthday by the closing date of this announcement . Applicants over the MEA of 37 MUST have enough prior covered service under the Firefighter Special Retirement benefit in order to be eligible for re-entry into a primary firefighter position.

These positions are covered by the special enhanced annuity retirement provisions for Federal Firefighters and Law Enforcement officers and have a mandatory retirement age of 57. Two exceptions are allowed: 1) an applicant has prior Federal service in documented special retirement covered position(s) sufficient to count toward 20 years of covered service on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57; or 2) an applicant is a qualified veterans' preference eligible, in which case the MEA is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement.

Applicants are responsible for submitting all supporting documentation prior to the closing date of a vacancy for an MEA determination. Acceptable forms of documentation consist of SF-50's showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable Federal civilian appointments or copies of agency approved certification letters based upon individual claims for coverage. Failure to provide this documentation with your application may result in the loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the closing date .

The duties of this position are so rigorous that employment is limited to physically vigorous individuals who must meet established maximum age and physical qualification requirements.

Physical Demands: Arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity.

Work Environment: Forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor bivouac and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances. Firefighters may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (e.g., boots, hard hat, gloves, flame resistant clothing).

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