Supervisory Wildland Firefighter - Direct Hire Authority

Supervisory Wildland Firefighter

This is a Supervisory Wildland Firefighter position located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Region, Branch of Forestry and Wildland Fire Management, Aviation Section, Duty Station in Fort Defiance, Arizona. This announcement will be used to fill vacancies utilizing the Direct-Hire Authority (5CFR 337.201). Category rating, veteran's preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do NOT apply for this vacancy.

Responsibilities include : serving as an experienced leader exercising supervision and leadership for fire management activities in fire preparedness, fuels management and prevention, and fire suppression, monitoring, and post-fire. Provides oversight during initial and extended attack fires, directs fireline activities and tactics of dispersed firefighters, resources, equipment, and aircraft. Provides technical expertise during helicopter operations; and plans / directs helicopter operations to meet fire management or other resource objectives. Leads in initial and extended attack / large fires support wildland fire line operations, to include providing aerial and ground fire assessment, development of control strategy and tactics. Supervises and participates in direct suppression of fires; and completes fire line briefings, fire size-ups, fire reports, and fire personnel performance evaluations. Serve as liaison between the contractor, the local Fire Staff and Contracting Officer's Representative on contract requirements. Provides follow-up actions to safely and effectively manage wildland fires. Manages inventory and accountable property; positions equipment and personnel for the most efficient response. Evaluates equipment and staffing needs; and develops and prioritizes equipment and personnel funding requests.

Requirements

Conditions of employment : All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the BIA Exclusive Use Helicopter Module Position Standards. This position has been categorized as a Fire Helicopter Crew Supervisor (FHCS) and requires the selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for position prior to being placed into the position.

GW-09 : 1 year of specialized wildland fire work experience equivalent to the GW-8 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include : develop and revise fire management planning documents for long range wildland fire control and prescribed burns; organize and complete preparedness activities as it pertains to fire equipment, supplies, and fire personnel; analyze incident objectives, strategies and tactics, safety, cost effectiveness / efficiency; experience working with various resources and agencies in order to accomplish work; assign missions to ground and aviation wildland fire suppression resources; make effective use of multiple types of interagency wildland fire suppression resources with varying capabilities; participate in the development of incident objectives, strategies and tactics; serve on preparedness review teams; develop and prioritize equipment and personnel funding requests; conduct field reconnaissance of proposed prescribed burn units; perform prescribed burn evaluation and complete documentation; assist in wildland fire management planning, coordination and implementation such as program coordination, contracting, fire rehabilitation planning and fire mitigation measures.

Selective Placement Factors : These are mandatory qualification prerequisites to qualify for this position. The applicant must have possessed the following qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position : Helicopter Manager (HMGB) or higher Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) or higher Helibase Manager Type 2 (HEB2) or higher.

Maximum Entry Age (MEA) : This is a Primary / Rigorous Firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) (FERS). The maximum entry age (MEA) for this position shall not exceed age 37, unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian law enforcement or firefighter experience, or you are a preference eligible veteran. Applicants must be 18 years of age but not have reached their 37th birthday by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants over the MEA of 37 MUST have enough prior covered service under the Firefighter Special Retirement benefit to be eligible for re-entry into a primary firefighter position.

Physical Demands : Arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity. Work Environment : Forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor bivouac and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances. Firefighters may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (e.g., boots, hard hat, gloves, flame resistant clothing).

Probationary Period : As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

Education : Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the closing date. Indian Preference Policy : Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC Section 472). Verification form BIA-4432 must be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference. No other documents will be accepted as proof of Indian Preference.