Wildland Firefighter​/Apprenticeship - Authority

This announcement is being used to fill Wildland Firefighter GS-3/4/5 positions for the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program. Please see the Additional Information section for more details.

This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at:
Direct Hire Authority

We expect to fill multiple vacancies at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

• Serves as a wildland firefighter on a wildland fire crew.
• Receives on-the-job training, instruction and orientation in prevention and preparedness activities from higher-graded firefighters.
• Gains knowledge in maintenance of fire tools and equipment, use of radios and telecommunications equipment, orientation of dispatching procedures, explaining basic fire prevention measures to visitors, and preparing reports.
• Participates in fuels management, fire suppression, monitoring, and post-fire activities.
• Uses standard firefighting tools such as: pulaskis, shovels, mcleods, chainsaws, fire hose, backpack pumps, drop torches, and fusees.
• Participates in physical fitness programs.

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Be sure to read the
  
  HOW TO APPLY
  
  and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS Sections.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license; nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Land.
• Direct Deposit Required.
• Background Investigation Required.
• Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background investigation. Failure to possess or obtain a favorable determination will result in the cancellation of the offer or will be grounds for termination.
• You must meet specified levels on annual physical fitness tests and pass periodic medical exams for wildland fire personnel, commensurate with current incident management qualification.
• You must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position.
• You must pass a pre-employment physical. You must also pass the work capacity test for arduous positions.
• Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use and to pass the test prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• This position requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work during peak fire season.
• May require completion of a one-year probationary period.
• Applicants appointed to this position at the GS-05 level must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. May require additional specialized training and certification to operate specialized vehicles and equipment.
• Applicants appointed to this position at the GS-03 or GS-04 level may be required to possess and maintain a valid state driver's license, depending on location.
• Incumbent may be required to obtain and maintain a commercial driver's license (CDL) for the GS-05 level, depending on location.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• The BLM has determined that the duties of this position are not suitable for telework.
• DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

General/Specialized Experience Requirements
: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement(s); please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled.

To qualify for a GS-03 grade level, 6 months of general work experience or 6 months of Firefighter training obtained as part of a high school curriculum (any firefighter training) may be substituted for experience on a month-for-month basis. General Experience can include:

• Any work experience or military service that demonstrates the ability to follow directions and to read, understand, and retain a variety of instructions, regulations, and procedures and that otherwise demonstrates the ability to perform, or learn to perform, the duties of the position.

• Wildland Fire Suppression such as digging hand line, building or patrolling fireline, suppressing spot fires, mopping up fires, hose lays, connecting buckets to drop water or retardant during firefighting operations, etc.
• Wildland Fuels Management such as prescribed burning, clearing up burned areas within fireline, felling snags or trees and/or cutting brush around fireline, collecting fuel loads, etc.
• Monitoring Wildland Fire such as…