Wildland Firefighter (Prevention) - 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-11 grade level:

If you are a current or former federal employee who served in a competitive or excepted appointment, your resume must show that you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: assisting with implementing guidance on wildland fire prevention and education program procedures; and assisting with reviewing fire investigation reports and/or trespass cases. Please provide an SF50 with your application package to verify that you are a current or former federal employee.

If you have never been or are NOT a current federal employee who served in a competitive or excepted appointment, your resume must show that you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 grade level. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: Implementing guidance on wildland fire prevention and education program procedures; assisting with reviewing fire investigation reports and/or trespass cases; and experience assisting with coordinating employee development and training.

To qualify for the GS-12 grade level, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: Providing guidance on fire management policy; implementing and providing guidance on wildland fire prevention and education program procedures; assisting with reviewing and/or tracking fire investigation reports and/or trespass cases; and experience coordinating employee development and training.

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-11 and GS-12 grade levels.

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

Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary; however, some physical exertion on fire line site visit assignments is required. Walking on rough, uneven terrain, long periods of standing, and exposure to extreme heat, smoke, and temperatures is required.

Work Environment: Work is normally performed in an office setting. During the wildland fire season, field work may involve high risk exposure to potentially dangerous situating or stress; work environment involves occasional exposure to moderate risks and discomforts which usually require protective equipment to be worn. Exposure to risks such as wildfire, heat, smoke, falling rocks and trees, etc., are a part of the job during wildland fire season. Work may require flying in small fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.

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.