Smokejumper (Forestry Technician)
Company
Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management
Location
Multiple Locations
Type
Full Time
Job Description
Summary
Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource.
This is a Public Notice for positions being filled under the Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) for Wildland Fire. Under this recruitment procedure applications will be accepted for each location identified in this Public Notice. Veterans' Preference is not applicable to this announcement. To learn more about Direct-Hire Authority, go to: OPM.GOV Hiring Information - DHA.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/TESTING: You must pass an initial pre-employment physical examination and must be able to pass the work capacity fitness test (must carry a 45 lb pack for 3 miles within 45 minutes). Failure to meet any of the required medical qualifications will disqualify you for employment. Any condition, which would cause you to be a hazard to yourself or to others, will disqualify you for employment.
ADEPTNESS: In addition to the physical requirements, smokejumper candidates must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the various aspects of parachuting and smokejumper related tasks. These include but are not limited to: Aircraft procedures, Parachute Malfunction procedures, Parachute landing rolls, Parachute maneuvering, Timber let-down procedures, Parachute and cargo retrieving, Tree climbing, Hand tool and chainsaw use, and Equipment checks.
TRAINING: To become qualified as a Bureau of Land Management Smokejumper, candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete an intensive training program in RAM Air Parachute Jumping and fire suppression methods and techniques. A minimum of 15 training jumps is conducted during the training period beginning with jumps into simple terrain, progressing into more difficult terrain and environmental conditions. Candidates will be evaluated continuously. Failure in any portion of training or the Adeptness Test will be grounds for removal from the program.
PHYSICAL TEST: When you report for duty, you will be given a physical condition test. Any candidates who cannot meet these minimum physical requirements will be terminated. The test is given in one time period with a 5-minute break between exercises. The test consists of performing the following exercises: 30 push-ups, 6 pull-ups, run 1.5 miles in 10.47 minutes and carry 110 pound pack over 3 miles of flat terrain within 65 minutes.
DRUG TESTING: Positions require a mandatory pre-employment drug test. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. The drug test will be provided at Government direction and expense. Once hired, employees are also subject to random drug testing during employment. This is in accordance with Executive Order 12564 and under the Department's Drug Free Workplace Program.
Positions may require a valid state driver's license.
**See note below.
Qualifications
**Note:
Some positions may require a CDL; information will be provided at job offer.
You must be 18 years of age or older at the time of appointment.
All positions have medical qualification requirements.
Hours worked per week must be stated for each season and position held in your resume.
***Experience listed will need to include specific duties about the work being performed and should not be only the general language stated below in the examples.
To qualify for a GS-05, you must meet at least one of the following AND the Selective Factors:
1 year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-04 level duties.
Examples of specialized work experience include:
On-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention or suppression work as a trained wildland firefighter, utilizing a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment. Experience may also include instructing or leading firefighters in both fire and non-fire assignments.
-OR-
A successful completion of a 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with either: 1. a major study in forestry, range management or agriculture; or a subject matter field directly related to the position; OR 2. at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: 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 6 semester hours of mathematics is creditable. The level of the course work must have been equivalent to at least the junior- and senior-year levels of a baccalaureate program.
-OR-
3). A combination of education and specialized work experience described above.
Selective Factors for GS-05: In addition to the basic qualifications listed above, you must have possessed the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualification and experience to be considered eligible.
1. Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) And
2. 90 days of wildland firefighting experience
Wildland fire experience is defined as any non-structure fire duties that occur in the wildland. Wildland firefighting experience is gained through work on the fire line in containment, control, suppression or use of wildland fire. This experience can be met by serving in a temporary, seasonal or equivalent private sector fire position. Periods of wildland firefighting experience gained through militia and rural fire departments can also be credited.
For more information regarding basic qualifications and combining education and experience click here.
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Physical Demands: The incumbent must be able to work under extreme physical exertion regularly working 16 hour shifts or longer on the fireline. Work on the fireline requires considerable strenuous physical exertion, e.g., long periods of standing; digging; bending; kneeling; running chainsaws; and hiking over rough, uneven, rocky surfaces and through wooded or brush areas. These activities can be performed day or night, when the incumbent may be required to respond immediately from a sedentary activity to an extremely arduous activity. This can include carrying a 120 pound pack for up to 5 miles or more through rugged terrain. Incumbent is expected to parachute into this remote terrain under hazardous conditions.
The duties of this position are so rigorous that an annual physical examination and smokejumper fitness tests are required to ensure that the employee assigned can perform the duties without physical injury to self or others. Employees must meet the arduous physical and medical
standards identified in the lnteragency Standards for Fire and Fire Operations.
The incumbent must be prepared, at all times, to respond to a fire situation requiring the quick escape from a potentially fast moving fire in extreme terrain.
Work Environment: The majority of the work is performed out of doors in a wide variety of weather and terrain conditions or in a crowded airplane. Meals frequently consist of cold rations and sleeping accommodations may be a sleeping bag and a piece of plastic. The remainder of the work is
accomplished in a sometimes tense and stressful warehouse environment. Incumbent risks death or serious injury during parachute jumps, cargo dropping, or firefighting.
Additional information
SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. To register or verify your registration, go to the Selective Service System website.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Failure to satisfy the background check will result in cancellation of offer of employment or may be grounds for termination.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. For more information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well-qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form.
Temporary employees hired in wildland fire or wildland fire support positions are eligible for the following:
-Annual, sick leave, and paid federal holidays
-Depending on tour of duty - Sunday, holiday, shift differential and/or hazard pay
-Participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program - Employees electing to participate in the FEHB will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency roles, which is deducted from bi-weekly earnings. After separating from federal employment, employees will be offered to continue participation in FEHB under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) option. Employees electing to continue coverage under the TCC provision will be responsible for the full premium amount plus a 2% administration fee.
A supplemental pay increase of $20,000 or 50% of base pay per year, is authorized under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as long as funding is available.
Date Posted
09/30/2024
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