Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Be sure to read the HOW TO APPLY and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS Sections.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license; nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Land.
• Direct Deposit Required.
• Background Investigation Required.
• Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination. Failure to possess or obtain a favorable determination will result in the cancellation of the offer or will be grounds for termination.
• You must meet specified levels on annual physical fitness tests, and pass periodic medical exams for wildland fire personnel, commensurate with current incident management qualification.
• You must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position.
• You must pass a pre-employment physical. You must also pass the work capacity test for arduous positions.
• Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use and to pass the test prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• This position requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work during peak fire season.
• May require completion of a one year probationary period. See Additional Information section for more details.
• Position requires a valid state driver’s license to operate light vehicles and 4×4 vehicles. May require additional specialized training and certification to operate specialized vehicles and equipment.
• Position may require the incumbent to obtain and maintain a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.

Qualifications
Specialized Experience Requirements:
In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement(s); please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled.

To qualify for a GW-05, you must meet at least one of the following:

• One year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS/GW -04 level duties. Examples of specialized work experience include On-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention, or suppression work as a skilled wildland firefighter, utilizing a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment.
• Successful completion of a 4-year course of 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.
• A combination of education and specialized work experience described above.

To qualify for the GW-06 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to GW/GS-05 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: performing duties which provided a basic understanding of wildland fire management concepts, theories and practices including the assessment of fire effects on cultural and/or natural resources; assisting conducting fuels surveys and collecting fuel and fire behavior data; assisting with fuels management activities such as thinning, prescribed burning, and post fire monitoring.

To qualify for the GW-07 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to GW/GS-06 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: experience performing wildland fire management concepts, theories and practices including the assessment of fire effects on cultural and/or natural resources; participating in the development and/or implementation of wildland fire management plans to meet resource objectives; conducting fuels surveys, collecting fuel and fire behavior data; performing fuels management activities such as thinning, prescribed burning, and post fire monitoring.

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.

Substitution of Education for Experience:
GW-05: Must have a 4-year course of 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.

GW-06/07: There is no education substitution for this position at the GW-06 and GW-07 grade levels.

Selective Placement Factor(s): 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.

1.) This position is a Primary Firefighter position and is subject to a maximum entry age (MEA). The MEA is the date immediately preceding your 37th birthday. Applicants must not have reached age 37 at the time of appointment, unless proof is provided of prior Federal service in another primary covered position, 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 may result in loss of consideration. Please refer to the Required Documents section for further guidance on what documentation is required to meet this 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.

2.) Requirement for the GW-06 and GW-07 levels ONLY: This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard. This position has been categorized as a Senior Firefighter, and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found here: Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM). To meet IFPM requirements, you must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required at time of referral, but may be required to obtain and maintain currency if selected):

• Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), AND;
• Intermediate Fire Behavior (S-290)

If selected at the GW-05, you must meet the IFPM training requirements above (#2) for the GW-06 as a condition of employment before being eligible for promotion to the GW-06 grade level.

You must meet all qualification and selective placement factor requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

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.

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 MEA for this position shall not exceed age 37. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. See Required Documents Section.