Fish and Wildlife Service will be filling one Supervisory Wildland Firefighter, GW-0456-08 permanent full-time positions located at: Region 6, Montana Fire Management Zone, Roy, Montana Pay Rate is updated to the new Wildland Firefighter pay chart for 2025.
This key fire management position is a categorized under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard. Minimum IFPM qualification standards must be met prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at https://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/. Prior experience in wild land firefighting is required in order to carry out the duties of this position. You will not be considered for this position if you do not have prior wild land firefighting experience. The maximum age is 37 (except for veterans preference eligibles). Individuals must be selected for these positions prior to their 37th birthday. Qualified preference eligibles may apply and be considered for vacancies regardless of whether they meet the maximum age requirements identified at 5 U.S.C. 3307, unless the hiring agency has determined age is essential to the duties of the job. Only experience and education obtained by 07/16/2025 will be considered. ***Your resume MUST include BEGINNING and END DATES specified in MONTH/YEAR to MONTH/YEAR format. In addition, your resume MUST reflect FULL-TIME/PART-TIME or total number of HOURS worked per week*** You may qualify at the GW-8 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-07 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your ability to lay out and organize lines of attack for a wildland fire; locate and construct firelines; dispatch fire crews and provides onsite direction and support to crew members on the fireline; ensure availability of equipment, water, and supplies; train others in equipment safety, maintenance and use; conduct informal on-the-job fire training sessions; distribute literature and explain the fire prevention plan to the general public; use computer software for database creation, management, and manipulation (e.g., Microsoft Access, WIMS, Fire Base, etc.). This position is subject to the qualifications and additional required training specified in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Qualifications Standards and Guide. NWCG INCIDENT MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATIONS (CURRENCY NOT REQUIRED): ENGB (Engine Boss) AND ICT4 (Incident Commander, Type 4) (You must provide a copy of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other equivalent documentation which verifies you meet the required minimum qualifications for this IFPM position. Failure to provide this documentation by the closing dated of the announcement will result in you being rated as not qualified). The Work Capacity Test (WCT-Pack Test) as a method for assessing an employee's fitness levels for fire qualifications in the positions covered by this recruitment notice. Arduous fitness (WCT-Pack Test) will consist of completing a three-mile hike, within 45 minutes, while carrying a 45 pound pack. NOTE: Arduous Work Capacity Test (https://www.nwcg.gov/how-to-become-a-wildland-firefighter) Applicants must be 18 years of age, but not have reached their 37th birthday by the closing date of this announcement. 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. Applicants must submit proof of their previous and/or current status in the Fire Fighter or Law Enforcement special enhanced annuity retirement system. 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.
Supervision and Program Management Supervises regularly assigned firefighters and may provide situational leadership and supervision for additional firefighters based on the fire assignment. Supervisor performs administrative program management functions such as planning; budget execution; stewardship of physical facilities, equipment, vehicles, and accountable property; development and implementation of training and development programs; and implementation of cooperative agreements. Fire Suppression, Monitoring, and Post-Fire Activities Experienced understanding of firefighter safety, fire behavior, topography of the area, weather, fuels, and training in fire management work to: 1) supervise, mentor, and instruct employees on crewmember duties; 2) plan action and direct utilization of fireline resources on less complex fires; and 3) for more complex fires, direct assigned suppression operations and recommend and implement tactical strategy on attacking, controlling, or mopping up fires, building or patrolling firelines, cleaning up burned areas within firelines, suppressing spot fires, felling snags or trees, and cutting brush. Coordinates with aircraft for aviation support missions. Coordinates module or crew logistics and places caches of equipment and supplies at strategic points. Drives and operates a wildland fire engine, positioning the engine for proper use and operation. Performs/conducts engine operations techniques, including tandem operations, mobile attack, pump and roll, firing and holding operations, stationary attack, engine protection, simple and progressive hoselays. Ensures adequate supply of water and chemical agents are maintained to the fire, particularly on critical areas of the fireline. Locates water sources and checks for volume and cleanliness for engine resupply. Performs specialized duties such as water handling specialist or maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland urban interface/intermix situations. Fire Preparedness Supervises the development and implementation of training programs (mandatory, formal, and informal) to comply with policy, regulations, and employee development. Supervises assigned property by procuring, maintaining, and inventorying tools and equipment to meet individual crew needs, including hand tools, chainsaws, firing equipment, medical supplies and equipment, food and water provisions, and personal protective equipment to ensure that assigned personnel meet fire readiness standards on a daily basis. Fuels Management and Prevention Supervises and directs moderately complex fuels management projects or participates in more complex projects by conducting project assessments and gathering data (e.g., fuel quantity and conditions), planning (e.g., drafting or reviewing fuels management plans, assessing and recommending fuel treatment alternatives), preparing (e.g., ensuring proper training, placement, and instruction of crews), and implementing (e.g., ignition, holding, mop-up, and rehabilitation)treatments.