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FS
Forest Service
Lead Wildland Firefighter (Helitack)
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What they do
A Firefighter responds to fire alarms and other emergency calls. Puts out fires and rescues people from buildings. Responds to medical emergencies and assists with search and rescue efforts and industrial or hazardous waste accidents. Provides fire prevention programs or inspections in the community. May be specially trained to fight forest fires.
$61,679 / year median in Arizona
+10% projected growth
Job Description
Lead Wildland Firefighter (Helitack) Department of Agriculture Forest Service Summary These positions will be located at on a USDA Forest Service Unit. The primary purpose of these positions is to lead a small crew of highly effective and trained firefighters in wildland fire suppression and wildland urban interface/intermix incidents. See
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
for Regional contacts. This job is open to The public U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants. Clarification from the agency Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy. Duties Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-07 level. Lead a highly mobile aerial delivered firefighting squad that utilizes agency contracted helicopters to rapidly attack wildfires in varied terrain and fuels. Direct helicopter operations including; water drops, crew shuttle and other support missions. Independently instruct formal/informal training to squad members/other personnel in specific tasks and techniques associated with helicopter and fire suppression operations. Responsible for proper site selection/construction of remote helicopter landing areas that meet agency safety specifications and guidelines, assigns work accordingly to squad members to accomplish that task. Requirements Conditions of employment Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify . Must be 18 years of age. This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice. Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions. Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable). Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver's license; a commercial driver's license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination. Under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service 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 requirement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GW-06 level : Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-05) in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience mayInclude:
Conducted training in the techniques of aviation, fire suppression, prescribed burning and fuels reduction methods; communicated critical information pertaining to incident objectives, situations, and tactics to pilot(s), crews and dispatchers; assist in developing burn plans, lead and/or assist with on the ground implementation. For the GW-07: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-06) in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience mayInclude:
Oversaw helicopter service contract and enforced contract provisions; conducted training in the techniques of aviation, fire suppression, prescribed burning and fuels reduction methods; independently performed many technical specializations such as helicopter rappelling, long line, felling, saw repair or water handling used in fire suppression and prescribed burning; served on a specialty crew (hotshot, helitack, engines, etc.) or assigned to lead fire suppression under the most adverse conditions of climate, fuels, and terrain. Selective Placement Factors Successful completion of the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Helicopter Crewmember (HECM)- AND•Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5).
- AND•Successful completion of the Secondary NWCG Core Requirements of Firefighter 1 (FFT1).
- Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) qualifications must be met by the time of selection.
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. 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•OR-currently occupy a permanent position with primary fire fighter retirement coverage.
FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE
This is a primary/rigorous position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System.WORK CAPACITY TEST
(WCT) forWildland Firefighters:
This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS, MODERATE, or LIGHT level is a condition of employment. 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 substitution of education for specialized experience. Additional information For additional information about the duties and location(s) of these positions, please contact regional representative: To see the different locations within the Regional Offices | US Forest Service (usda.gov) Region 1: Northern Region- Tiffany Counts at tiffany.counts@usda.gov Region 2: Rocky Mountain Region
- Timothy Griffin at timothy.e.griffin@usda.gov Region 3: Southwestern Region
- Tobe Haught at tobe.haught@usda.gov Region 4: Intermountain Region
- Bradley Bugger at bradley.bugger@usda.gov Region 5: Pacific Southwest Region
- Brian Grabowski
- brian.grabowski@usda.gov Region 6: Pacific Northwest Region
- Shalyn Whitson shalyn.whitson@usda.gov Region 8: Southern Region
- Russ Marchion at russell.marchion@usda.gov Region 9: Eastern Region
- Brian Hicks at brian.
- 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97.
PROMOTION POTENTIAL
If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied or guaranteed. Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. How you will be evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position. Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given a new appointment.Note:
If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13029868 Required Documents The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.Resume that includes:
Personal Information:
name, address, contact information; Education ; Work Experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications . Resume cannot exceed 2 pages . If requesting maximum entry age (MEA) waiver, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. For additional veteran information visitFEDSHIREVETS
. 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. Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), current performance appraisal with rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330. How to Apply Please view Tips for Applicants- a guide to the Forest Service application process. Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (7:00 a.m.
- 3:30 p.m., Mountain Time Zone, Monday
- Friday).
DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT
Albuquerque, NM 87109 US Next steps Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS to check your application status. We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Under the Fair Chance Act , agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint, or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to sm.fs.hrm_elr@usda.gov , subject line: Fair Chance Act. Additional locations Tucson, AZ Williams, AZ Alpine, CA Arroyo Grande, CA Chester, CA Fawnskin, CA Fort Jones, CA Frazier Park, CA Idyllwild, CA Independence, CA Kernville, CA Lancaster, CA Mi-Wuk Village, CA Nevada City, CA Pollock Pines, CA Quincy, CA Ramona, CA Redding, CA Santa Barbara, CA Springville, CA Trimmer, CA Broomfield, CO Durango, CO Monument, CO Rifle, CO Altoona, FL Tallahassee, FL Gainesville, GA Challis, ID Coeur d'Alene, ID Garden Valley, ID Grangeville, ID Ketchum, ID McCall, ID Mountain Home, ID New Meadows, ID Pocatello, ID Salmon, ID Swan Valley, ID Kankakee, IL Whitley City, KY Pineville, LA Marquette, MI Ely, MN Rolla, MO Jackson, MS Gallatin Gateway, MT Hamilton, MT Helena, MT Hungry Horse, MT Libby, MT Missoula, MT Wise River, MT New Bern, NC Hurley, NM Los Alamos, NM Tijeras, NM Carson City, NV Grants Pass, OR John Day, OR La Grande, OR Lakeview, OR Prineville, OR Huger, SC Custer, SD Chattanooga, TN Lufkin, TX New Waverly, TX Mountain Green, UT Richfield, UT East Wenatchee, WA Jackson, WY Forest Service A career with the Forest Service will challenge you to manage and care for more than 193 million acres of our nation's most magnificent lands, conduct research through a network of forest and range experiment stations and the Forest Products Laboratory, and provide assistance to State and private forestry agencies. It's an awesome responsibility- but the rewards are as limitless as the views.