Wildland Firefighter - Direct Hire Authority

Fire Management Position

This position is located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Region, Branch of Fire Management in Fort Defiance, Arizona. This announcement will be used to fill vacancies utilizing the Direct-Hire Authority. Category rating, veteran's preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do NOT apply for this vacancy.

Responsibilities include directing the operation of a wildland fire engine, starting pump engine, and performing and directing others in the operation and maintenance of chainsaws. Conducts and participates in crew proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques. Ensures the engine is kept in a full state of readiness for emergency fire dispatch. Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents. Makes initial evaluation of fire situations; determines suppression methods to use, deployment of module / crew, type of tools to use and application of water. Coordinates and provides oversight in the operation and maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland and prescribed fire situations. Plans and assigns work to be accomplished by subordinate positions, sets and adjusts priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work.

Qualifications

Experience and education 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 Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard. This position has been categorized as a Supervisory Fire Engine Operator (SEOP) and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position.

GW-07 : 1 year of creditable specialized wildland fire management work experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to work in forest or range fire control, prevention or suppression work as a lead wildland firefighter directing others in the use of a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment; directing and performing prescribed burning; leading the operation of a wildland fire engine or suppression efforts of a helicopter module.

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 : Primary Core Requirement : Engine Boss, (ENGB) or higher Secondary Core Requirement : Incident Commander Type 5, (ICT5) or higher Additional Required Training : S-211, Portable Pumps and Water Use

You MUST provide a current copy of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other agency equivalent documentation which verifies you meet this required qualification for this position when submitting your application.

Maximum Entry Age (MEA) and Firefighter Special Retirement Coverage : 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. These positions are covered by the special enhanced annuity retirement provisions for Federal Firefighters and Law Enforcement officers and have a mandatory retirement age of 57. Two exceptions are allowed : 1) an applicant has prior Federal service in documented special retirement covered position(s) sufficient to count toward 20 years of covered service on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57; or 2) an applicant is a qualified veterans' preference eligible, in which case the MEA is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service.

You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Applicants are responsible for submitting all supporting documentation prior to the closing date of a vacancy for an MEA determination. Acceptable forms of documentation consist of SF-50's showing beginning and ending dates of covered / creditable Federal civilian appointments or copies of agency approved certification letters based upon individual claims for coverage. Failure to provide this documentation with your application may result in the loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement. The duties of this position are so rigorous that employment is limited to physically vigorous individuals who must meet established maximum age and physical qualification requirements. 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).

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.

Additional Information : 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.

The salaries listed in this announcement reflect the permanent pay increases for federal and tribal wildland firefighters, effective March 23, 2025. In addition to the listed base salary, firefighters are eligible for Incident Response Premium Pay when deployed to a qualifying incident, which may significantly increase overall compensation. All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See Wildland Firefighter here and select the duty station from Fort Defiance, Arizona to choose the appropriate pay chart. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." GW chart.

This is a permanent full-time seasonal career / conditional appointment. The incumbent will be in pay status at least 13 pay periods (26 weeks) or more depending on funding & workload not-to-exceed 25 pay periods (50 weeks) per calendar year. Services will not be required at certain times due to lack of work / funds, weather conditions, ceiling limitations or other unforeseen circumstances & will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status.

Telework : Indian Affairs has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster. Travel and relocation expenses will not be authorized. Any relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

This position has been designated as an Incidental Operator under the Indian Affairs Motor Vehicle Safety Program and requires the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle in order to properly carry out his / her assigned duties but whose principal duties are not operating a motor vehicle and his / her position is not classified as a motor vehicle operator. The incumbent will be required initially and annually to acknowledge and certify possession of a valid state driver's license.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) OR Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Programs provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP / ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF50 noting position, grade level, duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP / ICTAP, applicants must be qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For more information visit : http : / / www.opm.gov / rif / employee_guides / career_transition.asp

This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see USA Jobs What are bargaining units?