Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management)

Created at: August 23, 2025 01:10

Company: Forest Service

Location: Laona, WI, 54541

Job Description:

This position will be located on a Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center in Laona, WI. The incumbent serves in a key fire management position in a field fire management organization. When not engaged in these duties the incumbent serves as an Equipment Operator, assisting in the accomplishment of mechanical fire/fuels management objectives. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Dirk Huber at dirk.huber@usda.gov.
In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GW-06: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GW-05 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as of the following: Participated in prescribed fire operations including line preparation, igniting, and/or holding strategies; Collected and compiled fuels management field inventory data where a variety of fuel variations were involved; Inventoried fuel beds, prepared associated reports, performed hazard fuel reduction projects, monitored burning conditions, piled vegetation debris and/or acted in assigned positions such as ignition or holding specialist or other designated positions during actual fuel reduction efforts by prescribed fire; Operated a variety of motor vehicles to transport equipment, supplies, crew members; Positioned equipment in appropriate locations in consideration of safety of personnel and equipment; Balanced workloads, checked on progress, corrected unsafe or incorrect procedures, and ensured that tools and equipment are available, and/or ensured equipment/transport/tender are maintained routinely. For the GW-07: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GW-06 grade level in federal service or equivalent. Specialized experience is defined as of the following: Participated in routine aspects of inventorying and monitoring for wildland fire, prescribed fire, and/or natural resource activities. Planned and directed field resource data collection for fuel hazard management program; Assisted in the development and implemented specific plans for fuels treatment projects; Assisted with inspections, checks, services, and adjustments to tracked loader, instruments, and related equipment, had equipment always ready for immediate use; Operated the tracked loader treating hazardous fuels utilizing multiple attachments to meet the treatment specifications; Operated and positioned equipment in appropriate locations in consideration of safety of personnel and equipment. Selective Placement Factors This position requires the selectee to possess a Valid State Driver's License. This position requires the selectee to obtain or possess a Commercial Driver's 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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336 (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history. WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS level is a condition of employment. To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-07 level.
Perform wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical capabilities.
Monitor fire behavior, evaluate fire effects, identify potential problems and making basic recommendations.
Administer routine aspects of the prescribed fire/fuels plan, ensuring that preparation, ignition, holding, mop-up, and rehabilitation are completed to the standards specified.
Provide routine technical guidance on fire protection and prevention issues.
Participate in the NEPA data gathering process supporting the project file for fire/fuels management .
Review fuel treatment alternatives and may include preparing segments of a plan to support the objectives of the fire management program.
Provide basic assistance in establishing study plots to assess fire and fire suppression impacts on the ecosystem.
Apply processes, methods, and procedures associated with forestry studies to resolve the full range of irregular or problems situations.
Operate the tracked loader treating hazardous fuels utilizing multiple attachments to meet the treatment specifications.
Operate and position the equipment in appropriate locations in consideration of safety of personnel and equipment.
Ensure equipment/transport/tender are maintained routinely and available for use.
Perform or assist with inspections, checks, services, and adjustments to tracked loader, implements, and related equipment to be ready for immediate use.
Participate in wildland fire and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression.
Participate in preparedness reviews, proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and after-action reviews.
Correct unsafe or incorrect procedures, checks work for adequacy, maintains work records, ensure tools and equipment are available for use.
Practice safety measures in the efficient operation and use of tools, equipment, and vehicles used in fire suppression activities.


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