Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

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• Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-12 level.
• Assist the Fire Management Officer in directing all aspects of the unit’s fire and aviation management program.
• Develop and/or recommend alternative fire suppression strategies by taking into consideration total values at risk and cost effectiveness.
• Represent the unit at local multi-agency coordinating groups (MAC) to coordinate response during fire and all-risk incidents in the absence of the Fire Management Officer.
• Assist in the development of new techniques and methods and/or modify existing procedures to solve unprecedented or critical fire management problems.
• Manages the collection and the analysis of data for appraisal of forest fire damages and/or for the collection of evidence in fire trespass cases.
• Coordinate the development of local operating plans to implement cooperative fire protection agreements with other federal, tribal, state, local and/or private industry.
• Conduct reviews of planned suppression actions, tactical plans, and strategies for the management of wildland fires and/or other urban interface/intermix situations.
• Provide technical input for the accomplishment of fire management planning to support the development of the unit’s land management goals and objectives.
• Coordinate the settlement of financial problems after control of joint action fires with cooperating agencies by providing authoritative information on control operations and decisions made at time of the incident.

Conditions of employment

• 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. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
• 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. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice.
• Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Secondary Coverage: Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
• 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.

Qualifications

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.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

GW-11: Applicants must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GW-09 in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Managed or assisted with a component of a wildland and/or prescribed fire management program; Developed, coordinated and/or implemented a partial fire program budget; Implemented agreements with cooperators; and Maintained relationships with entities external to the organization regarding fire management program issues.

GW-12: Applicants must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GW-11 in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Managed, directed and/or evaluated a fully integrated wildland and/or prescribed fire management program; Developed, coordinated and/or implemented a full fire program budget; Negotiated and managed agreements with cooperators; and Maintained liaison with entities external to the organization, and spoke for the organization on fire management program issues.

Selective Placement Factors

Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Division Group Supervisor (DIVS) -AND- Successfully completed the Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) -OR- Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2)
OR
Primary NWCG Core Requirements of Air Support Group Supervisor (ASGS) -AND-Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3).

Successfully completed the NWCG Course # M-581 Fire Program Management.

Forest Service - Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) qualifications must be met by the time of selection. Most recent IQCS master record and/or signed Agency Certified task book must be attached to your application. If you are selected, you may be required to submit an updated IQCS master record or signed Agency Certified task book as proof of attainment of FPM requirements prior to a final verbal offer.

In order to be considered for this position, copies of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training documents) which contain documented proof of the certification or attainment of the FPM Selective Placement Factor for this position MUST be attached to your application. Red cards are not acceptable documentation. Currency Requirement: Required to maintain currency once hired into the position. Currency of NWCG qualifications is not required for selection. If not currently qualified, the applicant must provide documented evidence that they have been fully qualified in the past, and are able to regain currency within one year of being hired. Failure to provide this documentation will result in disqualification.

This position has been identified as High Complexity under the Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) and is subject to selective placement factor requirements contained in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard and Guide when filling this vacancy. FS-FPM selective placement factors are made up of a primary and secondary National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) core Incident Management Qualifications and Required Training. The applicant must possess these qualifications at the applicable complexity level to be considered eligible for this position.

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.

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System. Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends on his/her individual work history.

WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS, MODERATE, or LIGHT level is a condition of employment.

To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position.

Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given a new appointment.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12765209