Hybrid Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management) - Direct Hire Authority at Department of the Interior

Other

Duties

Technically advises and offers guidance to senior leadership and staff within state or regional levels and supports unit levels on fire management policies and implementation strategies to ensure sound understanding and efficient interpretation.,Provides input on strategic long-range planning concepts; provides leadership and guidance through coordinated efforts and program evaluation feedback on state or regional wildland fire and aviation programs in bureau and interagency community.,Serves alongside other senior officials and offers recommendations on annual program budget formation, state or regional accomplishment narratives, programmatic proposals, solutions, and oversight accountability of overall program budget.,Oversees and directs all aspects of the fuels management program state or region-wide which includes planning, coordination, and evaluation of program initiatives.,Analyzes and assesses existing Departmental and Bureau policy guidance and operational procedures to evaluate overall effectiveness in meeting Bureau objectives at the regional or state level.,As member of interagency committees, acts as the bureau representative and conducts studies on complex wildland fire and aviation management issues.,Leads and serve as expert member on agency and interagency teams to address critical aspects of fuel appraisal, interagency planning, and interagency accomplishment tracking and reporting.,Exercises delegated supervisory authorities and responsibilities.

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: NOTE: This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard. This position has been categorized as a Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist (PFFS) - Moderate Complexity and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at http://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/ GS-12: 1 year of specialized wildland fire work experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. Specialized Experience includes the following: directing all aspects of the fuels management program including planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation. Analyzing, evaluating, and making recommendations on all sections of the Fire Management Plan pertaining to prescribed fire and fuels treatments. Coordinating and collaborating with federal, state, tribal and local government air quality officials to comply with operational procedures and reporting requirements. Planning and administering the technical and administrative aspects of the prescribed fire/fuels plan, ensuring compliance with applicable standards, regulations, policies, and guidelines. In addition, appropriate experience must have included either Prescribed Fire/Fuels Management or Fire Management Operations. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS: These are MANDATORY qualification prerequisites to qualify for this position. The applicant must have possessed the following qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position: Primary Core Qualification: Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, Type 2 (RXB2) or higher. Secondary Core Qualification: Engine Boss (ENGB) or Crew Boss (CRWB) or Helicopter Manager (HMGB) or higher. NOTE: Selective factors are knowledges, skills, abilities, or special qualifications that are in addition to the minimum requirements in a qualification standard but are determined to be essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Applicants who do not meet the selective factors are ineligible for further consideration. You MUST provide a current copy of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other agency equivalent documentation which verifies you meet this required qualification for this position when submitting your application. Selectees for IFPM positions requiring currency will be required to obtain and maintain currency for the NWCG qualifications listed above. Prior Wildland Firefighting Experience: This is a secondary-administrative position in an organization having a firefighting mission and is clearly in an established career path. Prior firefighting experience, as gained by substantial service in a primary firefighter position or equivalent experience outside the Federal government is a MANDATORY PREREQUISITE. FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This position is covered under the secondary/administrative firefighter special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c)(CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d)(FERS) when it is filled by an incumbent who transfers directly from a primary or another secondary law enforcement or firefighting position with no break in service to this position. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent will depend upon his or her individual work history. You may meet the qualification requirements but not be eligible for special retirement coverage. If you are not eligible for special retirement coverage, you will be placed in the regular retirement system. FERS TRANSITION REQUIREMENT: To be eligible for Secondary retirement coverage under FERS, an employee must: 1) transfer directly (without a break in service exceeding 3 days) from a primary position to a secondary position, AND 2) complete 3 years of service in a primary rigorous position including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld, AND 3) must be continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a primary rigorous position, except for any break in employment from a secondary position that began with involuntary separation (not for cause). It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your special retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your work history or other documentation that demonstrates work history of approved covered positions). You must let this office know if you are in a Primary coverage position. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the closing date. Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary, however, some physical exertion related to site visitations and fire line assignments is required. Walking on rough, uneven terrain, long periods of standing, and exposure to extreme heat, smoke, and temperatures is required. Work Environment: Work is normally performed in an office setting. During the wildland fire season, field work may involve high risk exposure to potentially dangerous situating or stress. The above work environment involves occasional exposure to moderate risks and discomforts which usually require protective equipment to be worn. A range of safety and other precautions are required. Exposure to risks such as wildfire, heat, smoke, falling rocks and trees, etc., are a part of the job during wildland fire season. Work may require flying in small fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.

Other Information

Indian Preference Policy: Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC Section 472). Verification form BIA-4432 must be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference. No other documents will be accepted as proof of Indian Preference. NOTE: The salaries listed in this announcement reflect the permanent pay increases for federal and tribal wildland firefighters, effective March 23, 2025. In addition to the listed base salary, firefighters are eligible for Incident Response Premium Pay when deployed to a qualifying incident, which may significantly increase overall compensation. All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See Wildland Firefighter here and select the duty station from Portland, Oregon; Ronan, Montana; Warm Springs, Oregon; Wellpinit, Washington to choose the appropriate pay chart. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart. SALARY WILL BE SET IN ACCORDANCE WITH PAY SCALE OF FINALIZED LOCATION. TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL BE AUTHORIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATIONS. The pay flexibilities of the recruitment bonus, relocation bonus, and student loan repayment may be authorized by the manager (pending availability of funds and higher management approval). This is a supervisory position. Under provision of the Civil Service Reform Act, first-time supervisors are required to serve a one-year supervisory probationary period before their appointment becomes final. Those who do not satisfactorily complete this probationary period will be returned to positions of no lower grade and pay than those they occupied before assuming their supervisory assignment. TELEWORK: Indian Affairs has determined that the duties of the position are suitable for situational telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval. This position has been designated as an Incidental Operator under the Indian Affairs Motor Vehicle Safety Program and requires the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle in order to properly carry out his/her assigned duties but whose principal duties are not operating a motor vehicle, and his/her position is not classified as a motor vehicle operator. The incumbent will be required initially and annually to acknowledge and certify possession of a valid state driver's license. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) OR Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Programs provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF50 noting position, grade level, duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp