Engine Squad Leader​/AFEO​/Wildland Firefighter

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

The primary purpose of this position is to perform wildland firefighting work and to lead crews performing such work.

See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section for the Regional contacts.

• Duties listed are at full performance grade GS-06 level.
• Make 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.
• Personally perform and 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.
• Provide daily leadership, instructs crew members in specific tasks and techniques, distributes and controls work assignments among employees, and assures timely accomplishment of assigned tasks.
• Perform hazardous fuel reduction projects which entail thinning, cutting and piling vegetation through use of mechanical means, e.g. chainsaw, etc.
• Perform project work such as road and trail maintenance; inventory fuels beds, habitat improvement, burned area rehabilitation, miscellaneous equipment, facilities maintenance and other resources.
• Responsible for operation and maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland and prescribed fire situations. Operates a variety of motor vehicles to transport equipment, supplies, crew members, etc.
• Assist in the preparation of hazardous fuels treatment and burn plans. Participate in wildland fire safety training and techniques ensuring that all work is carried out safe.

• 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. 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.

For the GS-5 level:
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-04) in the Federal service; OR A bachelor's degree or 4 years of successfully completed education above high school (120 semester/180 quarter hours) with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position, or that included at least 24 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, outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science (no more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable);

OR An appropriate combination of successfully completed post-high school education (in excess of the first 60 semester/90 quarter hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

For the GS-6 level:
Applicants must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal service; OR One full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture); OR An appropriate combination of graduate level education that is directly…