Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Helicopter Manager) - Direct Hire Authority

Summary

For more information about each location see "Position Information" .

Please ensure you read the announcement fully prior to submitting application package.

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Duties

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• Leads three or more regularly assigned firefighters and may provide situational leadership for additional firefighters based on the fire assignment.
• Plans, coordinates, and directs helicopter operations in support of mission requests.
• Directs aviation and briefs pilots, contract personnel, and crews on mission requirements.
• Provides radio communications to dispatch and/or ground firefighter and navigates with use of maps.
• Directs aviation safety processes in coordination with pilot.
• Ensures aircraft tracking procedures are in place and followed.
• May serve as a rappeller, short hauler, or spotter.
• Directs the readiness and assembly of helicopter support accessories and helicopter safety equipment.
• Ensures completion of helicopter planning documents (e.g., load calculations, aviation safety plan, daily logs).
• May provide training and oversight of specialized aviation operations (e.g., helirappel, short-haul, aerial ignition, cargo let-down, single skid toe-in, hover entry/exit, and aerial tagging and capture of animals).
• Leads and/or participates in fire prevention promotional activities such as conducting educational field trips; attending and presenting for public education and special events.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• This is a Test Designated Position. You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• A selectee receiving a first appointment is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected.
• Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) or Fire Program Management (FPM) positions.
• Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and pass a medical examination given by an authorized government physician.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable 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.
• Must be 18 years of age at time of close date of announcement.
• 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.
• If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
• Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
• You will be required to operate a government motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required.
• May be required to wear a uniform and comply with the Wildland Fire Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
• Subject to frequent extended travel up to 14 nights a month particularly during fire season, and you must obtain a government charge card for travel.
• Incumbent will be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• Selectees who have not previously completed a supervisory probationary period, will be required to serve a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period for this position.
• Government housing MAY be available, depending on location, and is not guaranteed.

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 2 page 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 total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time or part-time, hours must be included ). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. If an applicant's resume is incomplete or does not support the requirements for minimum qualifications or specialized experience a rating of "ineligible" or "not qualified" will be applied and no consideration for employment will be granted.

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 PLACEMENT FACTORS:

• 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.

- AND -

• Successful completion and have currency in the Primary NWCG Core Requirements of either:
  • Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) AND
  • Helicopter Manager - Single Resource (HMGB) AND
  • NWCG Courses:
    
    
    • S-215 Fire Operations in the Wildland Urban Interface AND
    • S-219 Firing Operations (previously S-234 Ignition Operations) AND
    • S-270 Basic Air Operations AND
    • S-260 Interagency Incident Business Management AND
  • At least one season as a Fire Helicopter Squad Boss

-AND-

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:

GW-08:

Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS/GW-07 level in the Federal service, or equivalent. Examples of qualifying specialized experience includes: Assisted with directing the fire suppression efforts of a helicopter module; Planned helicopter projects based on working knowledge of capabilities and limitations of rotary-wing assets; Prepared and maintained flight invoices, manifests, and load calculations; Conducted on-the-job training in helicopter operations and wildland fire.

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

IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: There is no qualifying education for the 0456 series.

Position Information:

Incumbent serves as an experienced leader and member of a wildland fire module, exercising leadership for and 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 specifically Helitack Crews.

**PLEASE NOTE - these positions are covered under the new GW pay table specific to Wildland Firefighters. The salary listed in the announcement is for the the RUS pay table: GW RUS Pay Table. Please see below for specific pay table information.

There are a total of three positions being filled:

• One in Grand Canyon National Park; duty location Grand Canyon, AZ. This position is covered under the RUS locality pay table: RUS Pay Table. For additional questions regarding the duties or location for this position, please contact Jeremiah Boyd at View email address on click.appcast.io.
• One in Yellowstone National Park; duty location Yellowstone NP, WY. This position is covered under the RUS locality pay table: RUS Pay Table. For additional questions regarding the duties or location for this position, please contact Jon Dentinger at View email address on click.appcast.io.
• One in either Everglades National Park, duty location Homestead, FL or Big Cypress National Preserve, duty location Ochopee, FL. Homestead, FL is covered under the Miami pay table; Ochopee, FL is covered under the Rest of the US pay table. For additional questions regarding the duties or location for this position, please contact Michael Roof at View email address on click.appcast.io.
• One in Yukon-Charley National Preserve; duty location Fairbanks, AK. This position is covered under the Alaska pay table. For additional questions regarding the duties or location of this position, please contact Jason Devcich at View email address on click.appcast.io; or Nathan Gilmore at View email address on click.appcast.io.
  • Please note: FAIRBANKS, AK: Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) Statement: COLA pay in Alaska is 3.00% with the exception of Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, which is 1.49%. The salary annotated on this announcement includes the locality, however, does not include the cost-of-living allowance.
  • SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR FAIRBANKS, ALASKA:
    • Position will operate small watercraft as part of duties. You will need to obtain the appropriate NPS Motorboat (MOCC) certifications
    • Position will be required to carry a firearm in the back-country, or other locations, for non-law enforcement reasons such as protection from animals is required. Appointee must be free of any domestic violence convictions and will self-certify prior to appointment based on the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 (18 USC).
  • This position is an 18/8 career-seasonal position meaning there is a guaranteed 18 pay periods in pay status, and can be up to 8 pay periods in non-pay status within a service year. Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as a career appointment, however do not provide work on a year-round basis (26 pay periods).

In order to be considered for any, or all locations, please ensure desired locations are selected.

Additional information

This notice is being issued to recruit personnel to occupations for which a critical hiring need has been identified. To assist in filling these positions, OPM has granted the Department of the Interior "Direct Hire Authority".

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected (step 1). The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

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 575.102 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 Conditions: 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). Work may require travel by fixed[1]wing or rotor-wing aircraft.

This position is suitable for telework only in an emergency or natural disaster.

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected (step 1).

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

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.

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