Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our greatest natural resource. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is looking for employees to work as career seasonal Smokejumpers (Forestry Technicians) in Boise, Idaho and/or Fairbanks, Alaska. For information on Boise Smokejumpers, visit their website, or view this video. For information on Alaska Smokejumpers, visit their website. Please See "Additional Information" Section for payment details.
Selective Placement Factors (SPFs): This position is a Primary Firefighter position and is subject to a maximum entry age (MEA). Applicants must not have reached age 37 at the time of appointment, unless proof is provided for prior Federal service in another primary covered position, OR proof of land management workforce flexibility act (LMWFA) eligibility (see required documents section for more information on proof for LMWFA), OR you are a preference eligible veteran, OR between the ages of 37 and 40 and willing to submit a request for an MEA waiver. If you meet any of the previous exemptions to MEA you must provide the required documents. This position requires special qualifications 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 factors will be rated not qualified: In addition to the basic qualifications listed above, you must have possessed the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualification and experience to be considered eligible. GW-0456-05 Selective Factors: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) - You must provide the required document as instructed in the 'Required Documents' section of this announcement. GW-0456-06 Selective Factors: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) - You must provide the required document as instructed in the 'Required Documents' section of this announcement. Prior smokejumping experience - This experience must be documented with specific dates in the resume. GW-0456-07 Selective Factors: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) - You must provide the required document as instructed in the 'Required Documents' section of this announcement. Prior smokejumping experience - This experience must be documented with specific dates in the resume. Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) - You must provide the required document as instructed in the 'Required Documents' section of this announcement. Specialized Experience: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the minimum qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. To qualify for the GW-05 grade level, you must have one (1) full year of creditable specialized experience equivalent to the GW-04. Examples may include the following: Experience in forest and range land fire suppression and fuels mitigation as a member of a hand crew, helitack crew, engine crew, or fire use module; instructing or leading firefighters with both fire and non-fire assignments. -OR- Education: Successful completion of a 4-year course study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree, from an accredited college or university, in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology or other related fields. - OR- Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate undergraduate education. To qualify for the GW-06 grade level, you must have one (1) full year of creditable specialized experience equivalent to the GW-05. Examples may include the following: Experience in forest and range land fire suppression and fuels mitigation as a member of a hand crew, helitack crew, engine crew or fire use module; instructing or leading firefighters with both fire and non-fire assignments; experience as a qualified smokejumper using Ram-Air parachutes. To qualify for the GW-07 grade level, you must have one (1) full year of creditable specialized experience equivalent to the GW-06. Examples may include the following: Experience in forest and range land fire suppression as an initial attack incident commander; experience in Smokejumper operations including parachuting into rugged terrain, parachute rigging and repair, and the use of smokejumper specific firefighting tools and equipment; instructing or leading firefighters in both fire and non-fire assignments Substitution of education is not applicable at the GW-6 level or above. 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 closing date of the announcement. This position is considered a career ladder opportunity, with a full performance level of GW-07. If selected at a lower grade level, you may be non-competitively promoted to the next grade level at the discretion of your supervisor and is contingent upon meeting regulatory and legal requirements for promotion, satisfactory performance, and the availability of higher-level work. Promotion is not guaranteed, and no promise of promotion is implied. Medical Requirements: Please see the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website for the Medical Standards for Smokejumper Positions, please note this link is for the 0462 series and some of the information does not apply to the 0456 series: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/forestry-technician-series-0462/ Please see the Department of Interior Medical Standards Program website for the Federal Interagency Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for your position: http://www.nifc.gov/medical_standards/index.html. Physical Requirements: Employment in this position is conditional upon your successful completion of the following BLM smokejumper physical fitness performance tests: When you report for duty, you will be given a physical condition test. The test is given in one time period with a 5-minute break between exercises. The test consists of performing the following exercises: 30 push-ups 6 pull-ups Run 1.5 miles in 10.47 minutes or less and backpacking a 110 pound load three miles in less than 65 minutes. Work Capacity Test at the Arduous Level: All arduous wildland firefighters must backpack a 45 pound load for three miles in 45 minutes or less. Physical Demands: The incumbent must be able to work under extreme physical exertion regularly working 16 hour shifts or longer on the fireline. Work on the fireline requires considerable strenuous physical exertion. Work Environment: The majority of the work is performed out of doors in a wide variety of weather and terrain conditions or in a crowded airplane. Firefighter Special Retirement (Primary Coverage): This is a primary fire 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 MEA for this position shall not exceed age 37; unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian firefighter or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position on or 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.
Parachutes into rugged terrain and performs fire suppression and related duties.
Maintains smokejumper and firefighting equipment, tools and supplies.
Repairs, packs and maintains parachutes and related equipment.
Utilizes fire behavior knowledge and firefighting experience to perform wildland fire suppression and prescribed fire operations safely and effectively in accordance with identified appropriate management response.
May direct fire line activities and tactics for firefighters, equipment, aircraft and other resources.