Hybrid Wildland Firefighter bei Department of Agriculture

Not Required

Duties

Performs as a member of a fire crew assigned to suppress the full range of difficulty and complexity of fires. Moves dirt, chops brush, fells small trees, etc..,Build firelines using hand tools such as axe, Pulaski, shovel and McLeod, and power saws, to control spreading wildland fire. Lays or directs hose in the use of water. Fells trees or snags using power saws. May be required to rappel.,Sets backfires as directed. Cleans, reconditions, and stores specialized fire tools and equipment. Patrols areas of controlled fires to "mop-up" by searching out and extinguishing any remaining burning material.,Operates specialized fire suppression equipment such as portable pumps or drip torch. Observes, records, and preserves evidence of cause of fires.,May be assigned to other resource management activities such as fuels, recreation, timber, or reforestation when not performing fire suppression duties. Serves as a skilled crewmember on an engine.,Serves as a skilled crewmember on an engine. As an assistant on a wildland fire engine, works as a trainee engine operator driving the engine, operating the pump, and making hose lays under the direction of the engine Captain.,May drive and operate the fire engine or apparatus. Responsible for positioning the fire engine or apparatus for safe and efficient operation. Services and makes minor repairs to engine.,Inspects, checks and services accessories such as pump, water lines, tank, reels, or pump power plant; and keeps in fire readiness. Inspects, cleans, and stows hose. Makes emergency repairs and adjustments of pumps while in use.,Receives training and performs simple engine operation duties. Performs basic fire line activities such as line construction, hose layout, operations of pumps and accessories.,Performs basic fire line activities such as lopping and scattering of fuels using hand tools and holding, patrolling, monitoring, and mop-up operations. Moves dirt, chops brush, small trees, etc. to construct fire line.,Is responsible for observing the rules of wildland firefighting safety. Applies practices and techniques to minimize resource damage.,Under direct supervision or with one or two other crewmembers may be assigned to carry out specialized assignments such as tree falling, backfire and burnout, mobile and stationary engine attack.,Serves as a skilled wildland firefighter on an organized crew during prescribed burns, monitoring and controlling the fire, and collecting data on fire weather and fire behavior. Also performs project work such as fuel inventory.,Also performs work such as hazard fuel reduction projects. Depending on experience level, may be assigned to structure fire defense. Loads helicopter cargo and completes manifest of crews and equipment.,May rappels from hovering helicopter near ground level. . Builds fireline and lays or directs hose. Patrols areas of controlled fires to 'mop-up'. Cleans, reconditions, and stores fire tools and equipment.,Independently or with one or two other crewmembers may be assigned to carry out specialized assignments such as tree falling, backfire and burnout, construction of helispots, specialized helitack operations, and helitak and longline operations.,Performs fuel management and prescribed burn activities. Participates in fire and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression and in the safe, efficient operation and use of tools, equipment and vehicles used.,Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills. Participates in safety sessions and fire critiques. Ensures own and others' welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignments. Cleans, maintains, reconditions, and stores firefighting tools.,Cleans, maintains, reconditions, and stores firefighting equipment. Inventories fire supplies and equipment. May be assigned to fire lookout to provide detection and reporting of wildfires. Reports smoke and fire to a dispatcher.,Gives dispatcher location, estimated size and other pertinent information. Reports weather and fire behavior information keeping the dispatcher and/or other officials informed of current conditions. May perform project work such as fuel inventory.

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. GW-04: Applicants must have six (6) months of general work experience or military service that demonstrated the ability to follow directions and to read, understand, and retain a variety of instructions, regulations, and procedures and that otherwise demonstrates the ability to perform or learn to perform the duties of the position. AND six (6) months of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-03 in the federal service or equivalent. OR Successful completion of a two (2)-year course of study in an accredited college or university in Fire Training, Fire Science, Fire Technology or other related fields of study is qualifying for GW-4. OR an appropriate combination of experience and education. Examples of General Experience includes: Performed farm/ranch labor, such as feeding/tending livestock or general maintenance of farm/ranch facilities; Worked in a greenhouse, nursery or landscaping e.g., planting, moving, watering, and tending plants; Worked as an animal caretaker in a laboratory, zoo or pet store; Other work experience, paid or unpaid e.g., volunteer work at a park, youth camp, hospital, community sports league, local fire department, etc. Examples of specialized experience include: Performing natural resource support work, e.g., forestry, range, park technician, wildland firefighter, or similar jobs; performing routine support assignments in a forestry specialty area, e.g., wilderness, timber, fire prevention/control, etc. 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. 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, which means you must maintain the required level of physical fitness in order to remain in the position. 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. In accordance with USDA Department Regulation 4430-792-2, this position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the USDA Drug Free Workplace Program and subject to pre-employment drug testing. All applicants selected for this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Incumbents of this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis on an ongoing random basis, after appointment as directed. To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Other Information

PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy is being used to fill positions for FY2026 Temporary Employment Hiring season. The expected start date for this position will be between January 11, 2026 to April 5, 2026. By selecting the "Location Negotiable" option during the application process, implies your willingness to be considered for any official duty location listed on this announcement and/or those duty locations not listed for this Regional announcement. Pay rates vary depending on location. The salary shown is for the Rest of the U.S. See OPM.gov for additional information on pay rates. This position is temporary, has a Not-to-Exceed date and will be filled for up to 6 months or as a not to exceed (NTE) 1 year, however an extension of the appointment may be possible without further competition. The appointment may also end early due to lack of work or lack of funds. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other groups within the Region who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in any of the geographic location(s) listed on the announcement. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration. The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligible must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered. If you are retired from the Federal Government and are selected for this vacancy, your retirement annuity may be offset from your pay. This position is not eligible for telework. Availability of government housing and federal day care facilities will vary by location. Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE.