Forestry Technician​/Wildland Firefighter

These positions will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit.

The incumbent serves as an assistant on a wildland fire engine, works as a trainee engine operator and duties include driving the engine, operating the pump and making hose lays under the direction of the engine foreman.

Duties

• Duties listed are at full performance grade GS-05 level.
• Drives engine to fire locations in consideration of safety of crew and equipment, and how the equipment can be best used in control and mop-up operations.
• Personally performs and may direct others in starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose, and using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and additives.
• Accomplishes emergency repairs as necessary to permit continued use of equipment.
• Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents.
• Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques. Ensures own and other's welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignment.

• 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 to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result.
• Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions.
• 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.
• Under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the requirement.

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.

Applicants must have six months of general experience (any type of work that demonstrated the ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation) AND six months of specialized experience that is directly related to the work of the position; OR successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science (no more than 3 semester hours in mathematics is creditable);

OR an appropriate combination of experience and education above high school as described above.

• Observed field work projects and recorded data.
• Collected data and used computers to input data and generate reports.
• Other work experience, paid or unpaid, that demonstrates an ability to learn and perform the work of this position. Examples of unpaid experience include volunteer work, such as at a park, youth camp, scouting organization, hospital, community sports league, local fire department, etc.
• Worked with tools and equipment used in laboratories or at field sites.

• Used hand tools or power equipment to create a fire line and/or remove debris.
• Inventoried and/or restocked engines or fire caches to maintain fire readiness.
• Served on a crew to suppress the full range of fires.

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4 grade level; OR a…