Wildland Firefighter

Summary

This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority This Wildland Firefighter position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GS-0456-4/5 working in the following location(s): Yuma, Arizona

Duties

As a Wildland Firefighter your duties will include but are not limited to the following:

• This is an entry level position that works on a wildland fire module or crew as a Wildland Firefighter (firefighter) executing fire management activities in fire preparedness, fuels management and prevention, and fire suppression, monitoring, and post-fire.
• Work may also include all hazard and emergency response activities.
• Fire modules or crews include Hand Crews, Engine Crews, and Helitack Crews.
• Specific specialty areas of work within fire modules or crews include aviation, fire engine operation, fire management planning, fuels management, helitack, and prevention.
• A Wildland Firefighter (GW-04) is a trained wildland firefighter.
• May be assigned to carry out specialized assignments such as tree falling, backfire, and burnout operations; utilizes a variety of specialized tools, equipment and techniques while actively managing wildfires.
• May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.
• A Wildland Firefighter (GW-05) is a trained and experienced wildland firefighter performing all aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding and mop-up.
• Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents.
• May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Suitability for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. Direct Deposit Required.
• You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment.
• In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• Selectees must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine if they are maintaining the fitness standards for this position.
• You must also pass the work capacity test for arduous positions.
• This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties.
• Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license throughout their employment in this position.
• Official U.S. Wildland Fire Service uniform is required.
• A condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a [1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period] during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
• Must meet the maximum age requirement.
• See qualifications section for more information.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution’s registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts. PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school’s definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

How You Will Be Evaluated

Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression.

Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. You will be evaluated based on how your application materials reflect the minimum qualification requirements of this position. Once the job opportunity announcement closes, your resume and all supporting documents will be reviewed by HR to determine if you are minimally qualified for the position. If an applicant’s resume is incomplete or does not support the requirements for minimum qualifications or specialized experience a rating of “ineligible” or “not qualified” will be applied and no consideration for employment will be granted.

Due to this vacancy being filled through OPM’s Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to positions filled under this announcement. Applications received as a result of job fairs, recruitment events, and emergency hiring mechanisms in support of this hiring initiative will also be accepted during the duration of the announcement. All minimally qualified candidates will be referred for consideration. Please note that the hiring office may conduct interviews at their discretion.

Interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis. The competencies below provide an overview of what this position entails once encumbered: Knowledge of standard fire program requirements, tactics and suppression methods in containment and control of wildland fires. Knowledge of operations and maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland and prescribed fire situations. Knowledge of Fuels Management and Prevention Knowledge of strategies, tactics and suppression methods used in containment and control of wildland fires.

Required Documents

• You must submit a complete application package.
• The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Resumes must show relevant experience and other information.
• Your resume MUST list your education and work experience including (1) the dates (mm/yy) of each employment, along with (2) the number of hours worked per week, and (3) work experience duties listed under each job entry.
• In addition, Civil Service employees must provide their current OPM title, series, and grade.
• If experience is for a career ladder position, please ensure to clearly show how long you were working in each grade level.
• Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s).
• Failure to provide required information will result in loss of eligibility.
• No assumptions will be made about your experience and/or education.
• You are welcome to submit a cover letter.
• Resumes must also include name and how to best contact you, including email address and phone number.
• Do not include the following types of information in your resume: Classified or government sensitive information Social Security Number (SSN) Photos of yourself Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents.
• In describing your experience, please be clear and specific.
• Visit the USAJOBS Help Center for more information on What should I include in my federal resume and/or OPM Resume Writing Tips.
• In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you are required to submit the following supplemental documentation as applicable: College Transcripts: You must provide copies of all your official or unofficial transcripts for verification from an accredited U.S. college/university by the closing date.
• Transcripts must include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average, or class ranking, institution name, and student name.
• If your degree is from a Foreign Institution, See Foreign Education.
• All selections and tentative offers of selection are contingent upon submission and verification of ‘official’ transcripts.
• Proof of Age: As this is a covered primary fire position, your application package MUST include official government issued documentation (SF-50, driver’s license, etc) indicating your date of birth.
• If over the maximum entry age (MEA), and you are not a Veteran, proof of prior covered service must be submitted (i.e. initial primary covered SF-50, copies of approved coverage letters based on individual claims, and any additional SF-50s showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable appointments if a break occurred).
• If over the MEA and you are a Veteran, you must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation.
• Failure to submit required documentation may result in loss of consideration.
• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy.
• These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed.
• To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements) for the position with a score of 85 or above on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.
• Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application.
• For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp