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  • Wildland Firefighter (Forestry Aid/Technician), 2023 fire season, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (more than 30 locations in the U.S.; due Oct. 25)

    Oct 13, 2022 11:30 am by Miguel OrtizJobs

    Position Description and Application

    Duties

    This is a Public Notice for positions being filled under the Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) for Wildland Fire. Under this recruitment procedure applications will be accepted for each location identified in this Public Notice. To learn more about Direct-Hire Authority, go to: OPM.GOV Hiring Information - DHA.

    The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is looking for temporary employees to work on a variety of wildland firefighting crews. Work may include working as a crew member on any of the following types of crews: Engine; Hand; Helitack (helicopter); Prescribed. For more information on Crew Types, click here.

    A Wildland Firefighter (GS-03 Forestry Aid) performs assignments as a wildland firefighter crew member in developing a working knowledge of fire suppression and fuels management techniques, practices, and terminology; may assist in more specialized assignments such as backfire and burnout, mobile and stationary engine attack, construction of helispots, helitack operations, and performing hover hookups.

    A Wildland Firefighter (GS-04 Forestry Technician) is a skilled wildland firefighter. May be assigned to carry out specialized assignments such as tree falling, backfire, and burnout operations; utilizes a variety of specialized tools, equipment and techniques while actively managing wildfires. May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.

    A Senior Wildland Firefighter (GS-05 Forestry Technician) is a senior wildland firefighter performing all aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding and mop-up. Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents. May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.

    Requirements

    Conditions of Employment

     

    SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. To register or verify your registration, go to the Selective Service System website.

    BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Failure to satisfy the background check will result in cancellation of offer of employment or may be grounds for termination.

    PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/TESTING: You must pass an initial pre-employment physical examination and must be able to pass the work capacity fitness test (must carry a 45 lb pack for 3 miles within 45 minutes). Failure to meet any of the required medical qualifications will disqualify you for employment. Any condition, which would cause you to be a hazard to yourself or to others, will disqualify you for employment.

    DRUG TESTING: Positions require a mandatory pre-employment drug test. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. The drug test will be provided at Government direction and expense. Once hired, employees are also subject to random drug testing during employment. This is in accordance with Executive Order 12564 and under the Department's Drug Free Workplace Program.

    Positions may require a valid state driver's license.

    Some positions may require a CDL; information will be provided at job offer.

    You must be 18 years of age or older at the time of appointment.

    All positions have medical qualification requirements.

     

    Qualifications

    Hours worked per week must be stated for each season and position held.

    To qualify for a GS-03, you must meet at least one of the following:
    6 months of general work experience, which can be any work experience.
    -OR-
    1 year of education above the high school level, which included at least 6 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: range management; range conservation; agriculture; forestry; wildlife management; engineering; biology; mathematics; other natural or physical sciences.
    -OR-
    A combination of education and work experience as described above.

    To qualify for a GS-04, you must meet at least one of the following:
    6 months of general work experience, which can be any work experience AND 6 months of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-03 level duties.
    Examples of specialized work experience include any of the following:
    • Forestry aid or technician work.
    • Engineering, range, or soil conservation technician work that involved the application of cultural, resource conservation, or land management practices on nonforest or ranch lands when combined with knowledge of forestry operations and equipment.
    • Farming or ranching work that involved application of cultural and soil and water conservation practices, including safety and use of equipment, and that provided a basic understanding of land use.
    • Forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work.
    -OR-
    2 years of education above the high school level which included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine biology and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 3 semester hours of mathematics is creditable toward this requirement.
    -OR-
    A combination of the education and work experience described above.

    To qualify for a GS-05, you must meet at least one of the following AND the Selective Factors:
    1 year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-04 level duties.
    Examples of specialized work experience include:
    On-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention or suppression work as a skilled wildland firefighter, utilizing a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment.
    -OR-
    A successful completion of a 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with either: 1. a major study in forestry, range management or agriculture; or a subject matter field directly related to the position; OR 2. at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine biology and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 6 semester hours of mathematics is creditable. The level of the course work must have been equivalent to at least the junior- and senior-year levels of a baccalaureate program.
    -OR-
    A combination of education and specialized work experience described above.

    Selective Factors for GS-05: In addition to the basic qualifications listed above, you must have possessed the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualification and training requirement to be considered eligible.

    1. Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) And
    2. Successful completion of S-290 "Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior"

    For more information regarding basic qualifications and combining education and experience click here.

    You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

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