Wildland Firefighter (Fire Management Planning) - Direct Hire Authority

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 the GS-08 grade level, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: participating in wildland fire activities (such as planning and/or implementing prescribed fire, managing wildfires, or post-fire monitoring);researching technical reports and/or other sources to assist in the development of fire management plans; and/or assisting other specialists to ensure local plans are consistent with fire management and land management policies (e.g. Federal Fire Policy, NEPA, FLMPA, etc.).

To qualify for the GS-09 grade level, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-08 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: participating in wildland fire activities (such as planning and/or implementing prescribed fire, managing wildfires, or post-fire monitoring);collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to develop and update fire management plans; conducting periodic reviews of fire planning data to analyze fire hazards and fuels risks, historical fire occurrence statistics, and fire causes; and/or assisting other specialists to ensure local plans are consistent with fire management and land management policies (e.g. Federal Fire Policy, NEPA, FLMPA, etc.).

To qualify for the GS-11 grade level, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: developing and reviewing fire management plans with fire management staff; coordinating with environmental or natural resource specialists to ensure integration of wildland fire management goals/objectives and policy into land use plans and implementation plans; conducting periodic reviews of fire planning data to analyze fire hazards and fuels risks, historical fire occurrence statistics, and fire causes; utilizing analytical tools used for fire planning; and/or coordinating with other specialists to ensure local plans are consistent with fire management and land management policies (e.g. Federal Fire Policy, NEPA, FLMPA, etc.).

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.

Substitution of Education for Experience:
There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-06 and above grade levels for the 0456 series.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary, although a level of physical fitness is required which will allow for work during periods of extended stress and in the field when wildland fire situations arise. During the fire season, extended fire assignments away from the unit may be required under very stressful conditions.

Work Environment: Although work is generally performed in an office setting. Field work involves exposure to temperature extremes, both from weather and fire conditions where falling trees and the presence of smoke and/or dust conditions create hazardous conditions.

This is a secondary/administrative firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age policy, the selectee must have prior service in a primary position (3 years of service in primary/rigorous position(s)) and meet the transfer requirement for movement from a primary to secondary position to be eligible for special retirement coverage. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your SF-50). YOU MUST LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN A PRIMARY POSITION.

FACT SHEET for Fire Positions: Information on Special Retirement.