Forestry (Fire) (Helitack)
Vacancy expired!
Job family (Series)
0462 Forestry Technician
Requirements
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship required.
- Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
- Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
- Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
- 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.
- Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and also pass a medical examination (which includes vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized government physician. You will also be required to undergo periodic medical examinations throughout employment.
- Must pass the Work Capacity Test (WCT-Pack Test) - a method for assessing an employee's fitness levels for fire qualifications in the positions covered by this recruitment notice. NOTE: Arduous fitness (WCT-Pack Test) will consist of completing a three-mile hike, within 45 minutes, while carrying a 45 pound pack. A time of 45 minutes, the passing score for the test, approximates an aerobic fitness score of 45, the established standard for firefighters. Applicants shall be disqualified for appointment if they fail to meet any physical requirement.
- You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record.
- Selectees will be expected to travel in (not pilot) a small single-engine aircraft.
- You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
- If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
- 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.
Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/13/2020-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your 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 full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.Selective Factors: The applicant must have possessed all of the following Aviation Operations and Resources (Redbook) National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position: .
1. FFT1 AND ICT5 AND HECM AND 1 season as a Senior Helicopter Crewmember
2. S-211 AND S-212 Training
Currency is required. You will be required to obtain and maintain currency for the NWCG qualifications listed above.-AND-Maximum Entry Age: 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 not have reached their 37th birthday upon appointment to this position unless there is sufficient prior Federal service in a covered position to permit retirement on or before the mandatory retirement age for this type of position. An exception is allowed if you are a qualified veteran preference eligible.- AND -
In addition, to qualify for this position, you must possess at least one or all of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:GS-462-06: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: Assisting with leading the fire suppression efforts of a helicopter module. Leading the loading of helicopter personnel and cargo considering weight and balance, securing cargo, etc. Completing manifests of personnel and equipment. Hooking longline external loads and maintaining and operating other accessory equipment. Inspecting helicopter accessories, fire tools, and equipment. Assuring that needed tools and equipment are available. Serving as a Helispot and Dipsite Manager. Maintaining required documents (e.g., flight invoices, manifests, daily diaries, and load calculations). Serving as a rappeller or short hauler.GS-462-07: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: Leading the fire suppression efforts of a helicopter module. Directing the loading of helicopter personnel and cargo considering weight and balance, securing cargo, etc. Completing manifests of personnel and equipment. Hooking longline external loads and maintaining and operating other accessory equipment. Inspecting helicopter accessories, fire tools, and equipment. Assuring that needed tools and equipment are available. Serving as a Helispot and Dipsite Manager. Maintaining required documents (e.g., flight invoices, manifests, daily diaries, and load calculations). Serving as a rappeller or short hauler.
OREducation for both GS-6 and GS-7: one year of graduate level college education in a field directly related to range technician fire work such as a major study in forestry, fire science or a field directly related to this position that has equipped me with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of this position. A copy of your transcripts is required.
ORCombination for both GS-6 and GS-7: An equivalent combination of specialized experience and directly related graduate level education. A copy of your transcripts is required.
Volunteer Experience: 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.
Education
To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
Additional information
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 The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.Physical Demands: Essential functions require arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting. Duties involve rigorous fieldwork requiring above average physical performance, endurance and superior conditioning. Must lift and carry items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items. Duties include demands for activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time. Operations of some specialized fire equipment can place extended physical stress on employee during fire activities.Working Conditions: The work is primarily performed in forest, range and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with vegetation, and in smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures vary from above 100 degrees F to below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation and fire entrapment. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor sleeping and eating conditions and unpredictable sets of circumstances. Employee may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time.
The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more information, https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=AlternateApplicationInformation.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.
Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:
- Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
- Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
- Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
- Fire Management
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Oral Communication
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Planning and Evaluating
Background checks and security clearance
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test required
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness
Required Documents
Required Documents
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/13/2020:
- Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, dates specified in month and year format, and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
- A complete Occupational Questionnaire
- Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other equivalent documentation which verifies you meet the required NWCG qualifications for this position.
- Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
- Veterans Preference Documentation:
- If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
- If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
- If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
- Veterans Preference Documentation:
- Documentation that you meet Selective Factors.
- College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.
- Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Benefits
Benefits
A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Duties
Summary
Assists in providing leadership and direction for an 8-person helitack module that staffs a 120-day exclusive-use Type 3 short-haul capable helicopter program.
This is a Permanent Career Seasonal position with a full-time work schedule. Career-Seasonal positions are guaranteed to work at least 6 months but not more than 50 weeks per year and include all the benefits of permanent employment. The typical season is May thru October, but can vary due to workload and funding.
Responsibilities
Serves as a lead wildland firefighter on a helitack crew. Directs the loading of helicopter personnel and cargo considering weight and balance, securing cargo, etc. Completes manifests of personnel and equipment being transported to the fire or other work sites. Inventories and inspects helicopter accessories, fire tools, and equipment. Assures that needed tools and equipment are available for fire fighting tasks. Serves as Helispot and Dipsite Manager on incidents requiring the establishment of these sites. Certified in the use of long line external loads and the operation and maintenance of accessory equipment. Prepares and maintains required documents (e.g., flight invoices, manifests, daily diaries, and load calculations).
Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents. When positioning and deploying personnel and equipment, recommends best approaches and practices to use in protection of the values at risk.
Makes initial evaluation of fire situations, determines rate of spread, potential hazards to property and other improvements, suppression method to use, hose lays, deployment of crew, point of initial attack, type of tools to use and application of water.
Responsible for operation and maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland and prescribed fire situations. Provides training in wildland fire and safety techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression and in the safe, efficient operation and use of tools, equipment, and vehicles used in fire suppression activities, with emphasis on those used for the particular function assigned. Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques.
While performing all of the above duties, provides daily leadership and training for the crewmembers.
Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.
Travel Required
50% or less - You will be expected to travel for this position.
Supervisory status
No
Promotion Potential
7
Help
This job is open to
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
The public
U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Vacancy expired!