Hiring: Wildland Firefighter (Forestry Aid/Technician) NPS, Yosemite National Park

Deadline: May 12, 2020

 

(National Park Service)

 

Summary

Positions at the GS-05 level have been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard.  These positions have been categorized as a Senior Firefighter (SFF) and require selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position.  Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at the IFPM website.

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Responsibilities

Yosemite NP is looking for temporary employees to work on a variety of wildland firefighting crews in Yosemite, CA.  Work may include working as a crew member on any of the following types of crews: Hand; Helitack (helicopter) or Engine.  For more information on Crew Types, click here.

A Wildland Firefighter (GS-03 Forestry Aid) performs assignments as a wildland firefighter crew member in developing a working knowledge of fire suppression and fuels management techniques, practices, and terminology; may assist in more specialized assignments such as backfire and burnout, mobile and stationary engine attack; construction of helispots, helitack operations, and performing hover hookups.

A Wildland Firefighter (GS-04 Forestry Technician) is a skilled 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 Senior Wildland Firefighter (GS-05 Forestry Technician) is a senior 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.

Cut-off Date:  The following location will begin to consider applicants prior to the closing date of the announcement.  You must apply on or before the date indicated below to receive first consideration.  Thereafter, applications may be considered as needed, during the open period of the announcement:

01/07/2020
Yosemite, CA (Yosemite NP)

For contacts and information regarding housing availability visit Fire Contacts on the DOI Fire Jobs website and select California.

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For more information about temporary fire positions with DOI, go to the following link: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Positions may require a valid state driver’s license.
  • Some positions may require CDL; information will be provided at job offer
  • You must be 18 years of age or older prior to appointment.
  • These positions have no promotion potential.

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.

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.

Qualifications

To qualify for a GS-03, you must meet at least one of the following:
– 6 months of general work experience, which can be any work experience; OR
– 1 year of education above the high school level, which included at least 6 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: range management; range conservation; agriculture; forestry; wildlife management; engineering; biology; mathematics; other natural or physical sciences; OR
– a combination of education and experience described above.

To qualify for a GS-04, you must meet at least one of the following AND the Selective Factor:
– 6 months of general work experience, which can be any work experience AND 6 months of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-03 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 trainee wildland firefighter. OR
– 2 years of education above the high school level which included at least 12 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 biology and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 3 semester hours of mathematics is creditable toward this requirement; OR
– a combination of the education and experience described above.

Selective Factor for GS-04: 
In addition to the basic qualifications listed above, you must have the following: 90 days of wildland fire experience.  Wildland fire experience is defined as any non-structure fire that occurs 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.

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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 include on-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention or suppression work as a skilled wildland firefighter, utilizing a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment. OR
– 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 biology 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- or senior-year levels of a baccalaureate program; OR
– a combination of education and specialized work experience described above.

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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 training requirement to be considered eligible.

1.  Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1); And
2.  Successful completion of S-290 “Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior”

For more information regarding basic qualifications and combining education and experience click here.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement.

Education

Additional information

SELECTIVE SERVICE:  Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.  To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System website.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS:  These positions are subject to a pre-employment background investigation.  If applicable, the appointment will be subject to successful completion of the background investigation and favorable adjudication.  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 provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM’s Career Transition Resources website at CTAP or ICTAP.  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.

CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they fall within the Well or Best Qualified categories on the rating criteria for this position.     

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Deadline: May 12, 2020     Summary Positions at the GS-05 level have been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard.  These positions have been categorized as a Senior Firefighter (SFF) and require selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being […]

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