Wildland Firefighter (Fuels) - Direct Hire Authority

Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management)

This is a Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management) position located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Southwest Region, Southern Ute Agency, Branch of Forestry Management in Ignacio, Colorado. It will be filled from Standard PD Number DX01900 / DX02000. 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 :

• Directs a prescribed fire / fuels management program that includes fuels management activities and functions at the unit / tribal level to include prescribed fire, mechanical and biological fuels treatments, and monitoring (fire effects, fuels and smoke)
• Prepares and implements routine aspects of the prescribed fire / fuels plans.
• Develops and recommends plans and schedules for prescribed fire, wildfire response, and fuels treatment projects.
• Reviews project plans and make recommendations on appropriate levels of monitoring.
• Utilizes a database to model and analyze fire behavior and fire effects observation data.
• Participates in planning and coordinating routine or limited aspects of the fuels management program.
• Reviews and comments as necessary on routine sections of the Fire Management Plan pertaining to prescribed fire and fuels treatments.
• Coordinates and implements the technical and administrative aspects of the prescribed fire / fuels plan, ensuring that preparation, ignition, holding, mop-up, and rehabilitation are completed to the specified standards.

Requirements :

Conditions of Employment :

Qualifications :

Experience and Education Requirements :

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

NOTE : 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 Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist (PFFS) - Moderate Complexity and requires 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 http : / / www.ifpm.nifc.gov / .

GS-08 : 1 year of specialized wildland fire work experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service.

GS-09 : 1 year of specialized wildland fire work experience equivalent to the GS-8 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service.

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 :

NOTE : Selective factors are knowledges, skills, abilities, or special qualifications that are in addition to the minimum requirements in a qualification standard but are determined to be essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Applicants who do not meet the selective factors are ineligible for further consideration.

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.

Selectees for IFPM positions requiring currency will be required to obtain and maintain currency for the NWCG qualifications listed above.

Prior Wildland Firefighting Experience :

This is a secondary-administrative position in an organization having a firefighting mission, and is clearly in an established career path. Prior firefighting experience, as gained by substantial service in a primary firefighter position or equivalent experience outside the Federal government is a MANDATORY PREREQUISITE.

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE :

This position is covered under the secondary / administrative firefighter special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c)(CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d)(FERS) when it is filled by an incumbent who transfers directly from a primary or another secondary law enforcement or firefighting position with no break in service to this position. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent will depend upon his or her individual work history.

You may meet the qualification requirements, but not be eligible for special retirement coverage. If you are not eligible for special retirement coverage, you will be placed in the regular retirement system.

FERS TRANSITION REQUIREMENT :

To be eligible for Secondary retirement coverage under FERS, an employee must :

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your special retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your work history or other documentation that demonstrates work history of approved covered positions). You must let this office know if you are in a Primary coverage position.

Physical Demands :

The work is primarily sedentary, although a level of physical fitness is required which will allow for work during periods of extended stress and in the field when wildland fire situations arise. During the fire season, extended fire assignments away from the unit may be required under very stressful conditions. The incumbent must be in good physical condition in order to safety perform field activities. The incumbent must be able to perform duties in areas of uncontrolled wildfire where hazardous conditions exist. The incumbent must be able to fly as a passenger in helicopters and single engine fixed wing aircraft.

Work Environment :

Although work is generally performed in an office setting, intermittent field work is involved. Field work involves exposure to temperature extremes, both from weather and fire conditions where falling trees and the presence of smoke and / or dust conditions create hazardous conditions. The nature of fire investigation work requires that protective clothing (boots, hard hats, etc.) be worn.

NOTE : 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.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education :

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 Ignacio, Colorado to choose the appropriate pay chart. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." GW chart.

TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE AUTHORIZED. ANY RELOCATION EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH REPORTING FOR DUTY WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SELECTED EMPLOYEE.

TELEWORK : Indian Affairs has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster. 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.

The full performance level