Fire Engineering Equipment Operator

Temporary Engineering Equipment Operator

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. This is a Public Notice for positions being filled under the Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) for Wildland Fire. Applications will be accepted for each location identified in this Public Notice. Responsibilities The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is looking for temporary employees to work as Engineering Equipment Operators in Boise, ID. An Engineering Equipment Operator (WG-08) operates a variety of heavy equipment such as water tenders, dozers, lowboys, etc. on fire lines for the purpose of suppressing wildfires. Maintains and repairs heavy equipment used in firefighting operations. The equipment is operated on flat or rolling terrain with simple terrain problems. Other duties include operating the equipment in reclaiming burned areas when not assigned to fire suppression operations. An Engineering Equipment Operator (WG-10) operates a variety of heavy equipment such as water tenders, dozers, lowboys, etc. on fire lines for the purpose of suppressing wildfires. Maintains and repairs heavy equipment used in firefighting operations. The equipment is operated close to trees, drop-offs, rocks or other obstructions in steep terrain. Other duties include operating the equipment in reclaiming burned areas when not assigned to fire suppression operations.

For contact information and housing availability, visit Fire Contacts on the DOI FIRES website. To view a list of contacts by agency, select Idaho. For more information about temporary fire positions with DOI, go to the following link.

Requirements Conditions of Employment SELECTIVE SERVICE : Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. To register or verify your registration, go to the Selective Service System website. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS : Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and / or fingerprint check. Failure to satisfy the background check will result in cancellation of offer of employment or may be grounds for termination. 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. Positions may require a valid state driver's license. CDL Requirement. You must be 18 years of age or older at the time of appointment. All positions have medical qualification requirements.

Qualifications The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualifications System for Trades and Labor Occupations will be used in determining your qualifications. There is no specific length of training or experience required; however, you must be able to demonstrate through experience shown in your resume. Screen-out Element : Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. This must be verifiable on your application. To qualify for an Engineering Equipment Operator WG-08, you must have experience driving a diesel truck with lowboy transporting engineering equipment over the highway with some experience driving in offroad over flat or rolling terrain. To qualify for an Engineering Equipment Operator WG-10, you must have experience driving a diesel truck with lowboy transporting engineering equipment over the highway with some experience driving in offroad or unimproved road situations over steep terrain (i.e. mountains, slopes, graded curves / shoulders). Selective Placement Factor for WG-08 / 10 : 1. You must have a valid state Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL). Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates. You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Effort : Heavy physical effort is used by the operator in constantly reaching, bending, turning, and moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to handle controls to operate the equipment and attachments. Frequent adjustments to the equipment is required under the more adverse operating conditions on the rough terrain. Considerable strain is caused by the constant vibration of the equipment and the jerking and jolting from operating on rough surfaces. During fire suppression assignments, the operator is exposed to smoky conditions, fire burns, and other similar conditions. As a line firefighter this position is subject to the Bureau's step test and arduous physical requirements for firefighters. Working Conditions : Work is performed in all types of weather, often in an open driver's seat on hills, slopes, grades, rolling surfaces, and forests. The operator is exposed to continuously to injury due to the possibility of the equipment overturning or to the possibility of being overrun by the wildfire. The operator is subject to noise, vibration, dust, dirt, and fumes from the motor and exhaust and to smoke from wildfires.

Education There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions.

Additional Information Pay rates vary depending on location. For additional information on pay rates : Click here. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) / Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) : CTAP / ICTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. For more information about CTAP / ICTAP eligibility, click here. 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 meet minimum qualifications for this position. Temporary employees hired in wildland fire or wildland fire support positions are eligible for the following : -Annual, sick leave, and paid federal holidays -Depending on tour of duty - Sunday, holiday, shift differential and / or hazard pay -Participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program - Employees electing to participate in the FEHB will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency roles, which is deducted from bi-weekly earnings. After separating from federal employment, employees will be offered to continue participation in FEHB under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) option. Employees electing to continue coverage under the TCC provision will be responsible for the full premium amount plus a 2% administration fee.