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Wildland Firefighter - Direct Hire Authority
National Park Service     Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
 Posted about 1 month    

Summary This position is located in Grand Canyon National Park; Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) Division in Grand Canyon, AZ. Incumbent serves as an experienced member of a wildland fire module or crew executing fire management activities in fire preparation, fuels management and prevention, and fire suppression, monitoring and post-fire; Work may also include all hazard and emergency response activities. For additional questions about this position contact Jeremiah Boyd at [email protected]. Responsibilities Direct the operation and use of special tools and equipment such as power saws, portable pumps, firing devices and communication equipment. Make decision as to when, where and how equipment can be utilized to the greatest advantage, ensuring proper assembly of equipment and supplies for fire or daily work assignments. Direct moderately complex fuels management projects by conducting project assessments and gathering data (e.g.: fuel quality and conditions), plan (e.g.: drafting or reviewing fuels management plans), preparing (e.g.: ensure proper training) and implementation (e.g.: ignition, holding, mop-up) treatments. Serve as situational leader on wildland fires by directing the work of a small crew of wildland firefighters in building firelines, burning out, mopping up, and patrolling firelines. Serve as back-up or assistant to the first level supervisor or lead in their absence. Duties listed are at the full performance level of the position. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: For the GS-06 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level. Examples of specialized experience include: Performed and directed others in starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and foam application; Performed prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop up; Evaluated initial fire situations, determining rate of spread, potential hazards to property and other improvements; Ensured the engine and fire equipment has been kept in full state of readiness for emergency dispatch. For the GS-07 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level. Examples of specialized experience include: Performed in Wildland hand-crew Fire Operations, to include initial attack and Fire-line Suppression Operations; Prescribed Fire Operations; Helitack Operations; leading or supervising others; initial attack and suppression hand-crew operations; prescribed fire operations; wildland fire engine crew operations; helitack fire crew operations; Provided on-the-job training and conducted daily crew briefings, safety sessions, and/or other basic wildland fire training. This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program management (IFPM) Standard. This position requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. For more information on IFPM, click here. SELECTIVE FACTORS: For this Forestry Technician (Fire) position you must also meet the following selective placement factors: Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirements of: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) AND Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) AND Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) AND NWCG Course S-211 Portable Pumps and Water AND NWCG Course S-212 Wildfire Power Saws AND Successfully completed at least one season as a fire helicopter crewmember AND Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- Less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- A veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement. In order to be considered for this position, copies of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training documents) which contain documented proof of the certification or attainment of the IFPM Selective Placement Factor for this position MUST be attached to your application. Red cards are not acceptable documentation. Currency Requirement: Required to maintain currency once hired into the position. Currency of NWCG qualifications is not required for selection. If not currently qualified, the applicant must provide documented evidence that they have been fully qualified in the past and are able to regain currency within one year of being hired. Failure to provide this documentation will result in disqualification. This position is covered by the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) as a Primary/Rigorous Firefighter. Applicants must be 18 years of age, but not have reached their 37th birthday by the closing date of this announcement. 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. Applicants must submit proof of their previous and/or current status in the Fire Fighter or Law Enforcement special enhanced annuity retirement system. 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." The Arduous fitness (Pack) test requires completing a three (3) mile hike within forty-five (45) minutes, while carrying a forty-five (45) pound pack. You are strongly encouraged to consult with your physician and begin training immediately if applying for this position. This announcement constitutes the required 30 days advanced notice for testing requirements. To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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 There is no qualifying education for the series/grade. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: One position is being filled as a Career Seasonal position with an 18/8 work schedule meaning there is a guaranteed 18 pay periods in pay status, and can be up to 8 pay periods in non-pay status. Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. One position is being filled as a permanent full-time, year round position, meaning there is a guaranteed 26 pay periods in pay status, and no time in non-pay status. Additional Information The DOI is hosting an on-site Fire Hire and Career Event in Denver, CO on April 6-7 (9am to 5pm daily) at the Crowne Plaza Denver Airport Convention Center, 15500 E 40th Avenue. There will be opportunities to speak to and may be interviewed by agency management officials. It is preferred you apply online prior to attending. For more information: https://www.doi.gov/wildlandfire/wildland-fire-hiring-event. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration. This notice is being issued to recruit personnel to occupations for which a critical hiring need has been identified. To fill these positions, OPM has granted the Department of the Interior "Direct Hire Authority". A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR ยง575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive. A Relocation Incentive May Be Authorized for a Federal employee when the employee must move, as directed by the National Park Service (NPS) either through a management directed reassignment or selection for employment, to a different location at least 50 miles away from the one where his/her position of record held at time of selection is currently located, due to a need of the NPS. A relocation incentive is not the same as a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move and, as such, may be granted in conjunction with one another. 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. Working 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 (PPE) be worn (e.g.: boots, hard hat, gloves, flame resistant clothing). Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft.

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Job Details


Employment Type

Full Time

Number of openings

N/A


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