Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. We expect to fill two vacancies at this time for the following locations: Alturas, CA This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/#url=Fact-Sheet
Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified. This position is subject to the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard and Guide selective placement factors. This position requires the following qualifications - Currency Not Required: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) Intermediate Fire Behavior (S-290) Specialized Experience: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. For GS-06: You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-05 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: serving as a wildland firefighter performing the duties of a fully qualified chain saw operator and chainsaw repair technician. Certified in the use of helicopter long lines. For GS-07: You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-06 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: serving as a wildland firefighter making initial evaluation of fire situations, determines rate of spread, potential hazards to property and other improvements. Performs prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop-up. May use specialized firing equipment (e.g. drip torches, flares, and terra torch). 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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. This is a primary firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c)(CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). The position is subject to maximum entry age (MEA) requirements. The maximum entry-age for this position shall not exceed age 37 unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian firefighter experience or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. 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. Failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement. If over the MEA and you are not a veteran, proof of prior covered service must be submitted prior to employment. Acceptable proof consists of SF-50s showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable appointments and copies of approved letters based on individual claims. Wildland fire is defined as any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland. Two distinct types of wildland fire have been defined and include wildfire and prescribed fire: Wildfire: An unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires. Prescribed Fire: Planned ignitions. This description includes only fire line experience on a Prescribed Fire; it does not include experience in the planning stages. Prescribed fire experience must be supplemented by fire suppression experience in order to be creditable as previous wildland firefighting experience. 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). Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft.
Participate in planning, implementing and coordinating all aspects of a fuels management program.
Provide technical assistance in program direction, budgeting, fuels management and prescribed fire programs.
Develop and recommend plans for prescribed fire, wildland fire and fuels treatment projects.
Serve as Contracting Officer Representative and/or Program Officer for hazard fuels reduction contracts and agreements.
Plan, conduct surveys and evaluate data to develop treatment prescriptions.
Review project plans and make recommendations for monitoring activities.
Create, update and use fire modeling software to assist in treatment recommendations.
Participates in the implementation of prescribed fire operations.
Conducts fuels management inventories and monitoring to document presence, amount, and types of hazardous fuels.
Participates in preparedness reviews, proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and after action reviews.