Fire manageent specialist (prescribed fire & fuels)

Summary This position is located on a USDA Forest Service Unit within the Pacific Northwest Region, Region 6. The incumbent serves in a key fire management position in a field fire management organization as a Fire Management Specialist responsible for prescribed fire, fire planning, fuels management, air quality (and smoke management), and current and out year budgeting. Duties Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-12 level. Provides program oversight and guidance related to the use of prescribed fire and naturally ignited wildfires to achieve Land and Resource Management Plan objectives. Responsible for the smoke management program to ensure compliance with state air quality standards. Coordinates with federal, state, and local government air quality officials in their development of operational procedures and reporting. Evaluates fuel treatments on‑ground for compliance with policies, standards, and guidelines. Provides advice, counsel, and guidance to field personnel on correct procedures and practices. Develops local policy, standards, and guidelines for the Forest's Fuel Management Program, including aspects in environmental assessments, prescribed burning plans, fuel treatment standards, inventories, and smoke management. Reviews environmental documents, prescribed fire plans, and fire management plans of other agencies and stakeholders which will affect the unit. Implements and administers prescribed fire activities, wildfire response, and fuels management activities to ensure targets are achieved, management objectives are met and mitigation measures are adequate. Provides leadership in fire management program areas such as contracting, fire planning, aviation, safety, and wildfire response. In the absence of the FMO, may be required to serve as Forest Duty Officer, acting FMO or Fire Staff. 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. Successful completion of one‑year probationary period, unless previously served. Per Public Law 104‑134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit. Successfully pass the E‑Verify employment verification check. Must be 18 years of age. This is a drug testing designated position. Appointment is based on a negative result. Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions. Secondary Coverage: Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. 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. There may be additional Conditions of Employment not listed here, however applicants will be notified of any specific requirements at the time a tentative job offer is made. Qualifications Basic Requirement 0401 Series: Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry, or related discipline appropriate to the position being filled. -OR- Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GW‑11 Level You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GW‑09 in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Assisted in reviewing and evaluating fire management plans for ecological soundness and technical adequacy; Assisted in conducting field inspections before and after prescribed or wildland fires to determine if resource objectives were achieved and/or to evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken; Assisted in developing analyses on the ecological role of fire and its use and/or exclusion, and smoke management. -OR- 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled such as biological sciences, botany, ecology, horticulture, climate sciences, natural resource management); -OR- An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). For the GW‑12 Level You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GW‑11 in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Reviewed and evaluated fire management plans for ecological soundness and technical adequacy; Conducted field inspections before and after prescribed or wildland fires to determine if resource objectives were achieved and/or to evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken; Developed analyses on the ecological role of fire and its use and/or exclusion, and smoke management. In addition to fire program management, appropriate experience must have included either prescribed fire/fuels management - or - fire management operations as described: Prescribed Fire/Fuels Management – professional forest or range inventory methods and procedures, (e.g., Brown's planar intercept for dead and down fuels or live loading assessments); analysis of fuel loadings and determination of appropriate fuel treatment methods and programming; Land use planning and environmental coordination; and evaluating prescribed fire plans or fire management plans to ensure fire containment is possible and identify appropriate suppression contingencies if containment is not obtained. -OR- Fire Management Operations – analyzing and applying fire management strategies, plus experience in at least five of the following activities: Mobilization and dispatch coordination, Fire prevention and education, Training, Logistics, Equipment development and deployment, Fire communication systems, Suppression and preparedness and/or Aviation. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. 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. Select Placement Factors Successfully completed the Primary IFPM Core Requirement of NWCG Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2) - AND Successfully completed the Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) or Task Force Leader (TFLD). -OR- Primary NWCG Core Requirements of Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2) - AND Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Helicase Manager (HEBM). Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) and Forest Service - Fire Program Management (FS‑FPM) qualifications must be met by the time of selection. If selected, you may be required to submit an updated IQCS master record or signed Agency Certified task book as proof of attainment of IFPM requirements prior to a final verbal offer. All applicants must provide copies of their 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. 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 a secondary firefighting position under 5 USC 8336 (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history. 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, MODERATE, or LIGHT level is a condition of employment. Education See above for education requirement(s) for this position. 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. Applicants will be reviewed for eligibility before a certificate is issued. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position. #J-18808-Ljbffr