Wildland Firefighter (Prevention) - Direct Hire Authority chez Department of the Interior

Other

Duties

Implements comprehensive local level fire prevention education programs.,Provides subject matter advice and guidance to facilitate wildland fire prevention and mitigation programs and activities for the local communities.,Develops comprehensive strategic plans to mitigate human wildfire ignitions by utilizing advanced knowledge of various software applications.,Frequently monitors fire occurrences and causes to ensure appropriate prevention and mitigation strategies are implemented.,Provides advisory opinions on annual program budget in compliance with program policy.,Frequently monitors wildfire prevention and mitigation activities to evaluate effectiveness of the wildfire prevention plan. Reports annual accomplishments.,Collaborates with fire management staff across all program areas in developing a coordinated approach to wildfire hazard and risk reduction in the wildland urban interface.,Participates in all aspects of a fire management program including fuels management, fire suppression, fire planning, monitoring, and post-fire activities.

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. GW-08: 1 year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to, makes recommendations on implementing strategies and plans activities in support of wildland fire prevention and mitigation; assists with the coordination of wildland fire educational programs with tribes, other agencies, institutions, and/or communities; assists in the development and implementation of prevention campaigns for wildfire causes; and provides support to and/or serves as a qualified wildland fire investigator. GW-09: 1 year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the GS-08 level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to, develops and implements wildland fire prevention and mitigation plans; coordinates wildland fire educational programs with tribes, other agencies, institutions, and/or communities; serves as a spokesperson on controversial issues or policies to media, interest groups, public, tribal leaders and other governmental officials; leads in the development and implementation of prevention campaigns for wildfire causes; and provides assistance to, and/or serves as a qualified wildland fire investigator. 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: 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. Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary, although a level of physical fitness is required which will allow for work during periods of extended stress and in the field when wildland fire situations arise. During the fire season, extended fire assignments away from the unit may be required under very stressful conditions. Work Environment: Although work is generally performed in an office setting, intermittent field work is involved. Field work involves exposure to temperature extremes, both from weather and fire conditions where falling trees and the presence of smoke and/or dust conditions create hazardous conditions. The nature of fire investigation work requires that protective clothing (boots, hard hats, etc.) be worn. The incumbent must exercise a variety of safety practices and precautions for the well-being of self and of others. NOTE: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will 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. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. 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.

Other Information

Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the closing date. 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. 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 Albuquerque, New Mexico to choose the appropriate pay chart. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." GW chart. The full performance level of this position is GW-9. Promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. A career ladder promotion is at the discretion of management, and in no way guaranteed. 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. TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE AUTHORIZED. ANY RELOCATION EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH REPORTING FOR DUTY WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SELECTED EMPLOYEE. 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 This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see USA Jobs What are bargaining units?