Wildland Firefighter

Summary

This position will be filled under the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority and is open to all United States citizens and . nationals. Veteran's preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications do not apply. All qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration for this position. To learn more about Direct-Hire authority, go to: Hiring Information:

Duties

The Wildland Firefighter, GS-0456-05, at this level is a trained and experienced member of a wildland fire module or crew executing fire management activities in fire preparedness, fuels management and prevention, and fire suppression, monitoring, and post-fire. Work may also include all hazard and emergency response activities. Fire modules or crews include Hand Crews, Engine Crews, and Helitack Crews. Specific specialty areas of work within fire modules or crews include aviation, fire engine operation, fire management planning, fuels management, helitack, and prevention.

In addition, performs the following duties specific to the crew or module assigned: Engine : May drive and operate a wildland fire engine, positioning the engine for proper use and operation based on an understanding of engine capabilities and weight limitations. As directed, starts pump engine, primes pump, adjusts engine speed and pump valves, lays hose, and uses appropriate nozzles and makes nozzle adjustments for effective use of water and additives. May have specialized duties such as water handling specialist or maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland urban interface/intermix situations. Crews: Serves as lookout and as directed, locates fireline and implements appropriate fireline construction methods necessary (., mineral soil scrape, cup trenching, removal of ladder fuels) to stop fire spread, making adjustments based on terrain and other conditions and assessing escape routes and safety zones. Conducts tree felling and chainsaw operations, including appropriate snag mitigation. Monitors weather and smoke conditions and reports observations to the crew. As assigned, ensures proper refurbishing and resupply of tools, vehicles, food, water, and other supplies. Helitack : Performs helicopter crewmember duties such as: prepares internal and/or external cargo loads, briefs passengers before takeoff, follows proper procedures for loading/unloading the helicopter, constructs helispots or landing areas, monitors dipsites, and prepares sling load sites. Works with higher-graded firefighters and receives on-the-job training, instruction, and orientation in helicopter operations to include accompanying the pilot on flights, providing radio communications to dispatch and/or ground firefighters, navigating with use of maps, and applying aviation safety regulations. May serve as a rappeller or short hauler. Maintains and/or coordinates and ensures maintenance of equipment and various hand tools such as shovels, Pulaskis, and McLeods, water hose, and backpack pumps.

Leads less-complex fuels management projects or participates in more complex projects that include gathering data for and carrying out prescribed fire, and mechanical and biological treatments.

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