Forestry Aid/Technician (Fire)
Company Name:
Department Of The Interior
United States Citizens Temporary NTE One year Full Time You too can make a difference in our world. The work of the US Fish and Wildlife Service is meaningful and varied. Want to know more about what it is like to work for us? Click here to watch a short podcast called Meet Your New Boss!
Relocation expenses _are not_ authorized.
This is a Temporary appointment, not to exceed 1040 hours in a service year. Employee may be rehired in subsequent years as long as 1040 hours has not been exceeded in the previous year.
These positions will be filled at either the GS-03 or GS-04 grade level; there is no promotion potential.
The employee serves as a skilled wildland fire crewmember for the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, located in Indiahoma, Oklahoma.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work is strenuous, requiring climbing, walking and running over uneven terrain, bending, hacking through underbrush, and lifting and carrying heavy equipment weighing over 50 pounds.
There is potential for burns, dehydration, and smoke inhalation. Work requires the use of specialized protective clothing and gear. The employee may conduct some activities from low flying aircraft and helicopters.
Firefighting is extremely arduous and hazardous. The work requires strenuous physical exertion, including carrying heavy objects, walking, climbing, bending, stooping, hacking through underbrush and using heavy tools for long periods of time.
Most work is performed outdoors in a forest and/or rangeland setting. Terrain ranges from flat and swampy to steep and rocky and is often covered with thick, tangled vegetation or various trees and grasses. Temperature extremes, smoke, and dust are frequently severe. The hazardous nature of the work requires the use of protective gear and clothing (boots, hard hat, nomex clothing, gloves, etc). The work is typically performed in isolated locations, which are often away from roads and water sources; camping is necessary for extended periods.
All application materials and supporting documentation _must_ be received by the closing date of this announcement (including Veterans Preference Documentation).
U.S. Citizenship Required Background Investigation Required Medical Examination and Drug Testing Must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license
Serves as a skilled member of a fire or engine crew with responsibility for using a variety of specialized tools, equipment, and techniques in controlling and suppressing fires.
Operates an engine for short periods of time.
Scouts fires and develops data on hazardous areas.
Maintains firefighting tools and equipment.
Receives and records reports of fires and executes initial attack plans.
Assists in dispatching personnel and equipment.
Participates in the fire presuppression program assisting in recruiting, training, and organizing firefighting crews.
By the closing date of this announcement, you must meet the minimum qualification requirements as outlined in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook and as identified in this announcement below. This handbook can be viewed at
BASIC
Qualifications:
GS-3: 6 months general experience OR completion of 1 year above high school with courses related to the occupation.
GS-4: 6 months general experience and 6 months specialized experience OR completion of
2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation.
OR
GS-3: Successful completion of 1 year of study that included at least 6 semester hours in a
combination of courses such as range management or conservation, agriculture,
forestry, wildlife management, engineering, biology, mathematics, or other natural
or physical sciences._ __ _
GS-4: Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in
any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range
management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil
science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor
recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more
than 3 semester hours in mathematics is creditable.
Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above) : In addition to the experience requirements described in the group coverage standard, seasonal experience may also be creditable. A season of experience is considered to be a period of no less than 3 months of continuous employment on a seasonal basis. Shorter periods may be combined to make a season, provided a total of at least 3 months' experience is shown. For any period where the work exceeded 3 months, the excess work is credited towards an additional season of experience. Four seasons of experience are qualifying for GS-4.
Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Forestry aid or technician work.
Engineering, range, or soil conservation technician work that involved the application of cultural, resource conservation, or land management practices on nonforest or ranch lands when combined with knowledge of forestry operations and equipment. Farming or ranching work that involved application of cultural and soil and water conservation practices, including safety and use of equipment, and that provided a basic understanding of land use. Forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work.
To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click the following link:
View Occupational Questionnaire __
_
__Transcripts__ _:_ You must submit a copy of your transcripts (official or unofficial photocopy) to document your educational accomplishments._Failure to submit this documentation by the closing date will result in disqualification from further consideration._ Official transcripts will be required if you are selected to fill the position. College transcripts are still required if you currently occupy or previously occupied the series for which you are applying.
__Foreign Education:__ Education completed outside the United States must have been evaluated by a private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials, commonly called a credential evaluation service or education that is recognized by the Secretary of Education from an accredited body.
_
REQUIREMENTS:
A background investigation is required for this position.
THIS IS A DRUG TESTING DESIGNATED POSITION . Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required prior to appointment to submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use. As a condition of continued employment in this position, employee will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
A level of physical fitness is required to allow the employee to work under periods of stress and physical exertion such as walking in rough terrain during field inspections and on fire assignments. Fire assignments require a physical fitness level meeting the requirements of 310-1, Wildland Fire Qualification Subsystem Guide.
Must obtain and continuously meet requirements for a National Interagency Fire Qualification System (NIFQS) rating of firefighter.
Must attain the prerequisite physical stamina and strength needed to perform rigorous duties and must demonstrate abilities at the prescribed level annually.
The individual selected for this position will be required to submit the Federal Interagency Medical History, Examination, and Clearance Form for Wildland Firefighters (Arduous Duty), if the form is not already on file.
The employee will be required to obtain and wear an official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform.
Employee must be able to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle. A valid state driver's license is required.
Once the application process is complete, a review of resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. Best Qualified, Well Qualified or Qualified. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
1. Knowledge of fire behavior including causes of wildland fire, influence of temperature, humidity, wind, topography, slope and fuel moisture conditions, and fuels in order to know where to attack the fire, build fire line, where to be positioned to manage a wildland fire, and to identify hazards.
2. Skill in use of hand tools such as Pulaskis, shovel, McLeod; and power tools including chainsaw, portable pumps to build fireline, control wildland fire, and maintenance of specialized equipment.
3. Skill in oral and written communication skills sufficient to effectively interact with people at all levels, internal and external to the organization, including the public to include knowledge of fire terminology to communicate with other crewmembers.
4. Knowledge of policy and procedures concerning fire management, safety, vehicle and equipment utilization, procurement, communications, training, and personnel.
NOTE: You should be aware that your ratings are subject to evaluation and verifications. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and capability. If a determination is made that you rated yourself higher than is supported by your application, or your application is incomplete, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience or you may be considered ineligible.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your R sum
2. A complete Occupational Questionnaire
3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section below)
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Thursday, December 18, 2014
There are two methods to apply on-line:
_Method 1:_ Click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
_
Method 1 is recommended for those who may be interested in applying for multiple vacancy announcements and those who need assistance in preparing a resume.
_
_Method 2:_ This method will allow you to bypass the USAJOBS user log in and resume builder feature to go directly to the online occupational questionnaire and then upload your resume from your personal word processing file. Click this link to complete the occupational questionnaire for this position. /
Method 2 is recommended for those who already have a resume available in a personal word processing file.
Note: To return to a previously Saved or Incomplete application you may use the following link: /.
To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload, complete this cover page
using the following Vacancy ID 1275839. Fax your documents to .
If you cannot apply online:
__
1. Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire
2. Print this 1203FX form to provide your response to the occupational questionnaire
, and
3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to . Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.
DO NOT SEND any application material(s) by U.S. mail or electronic mail. If you are unable to apply using one of the described methods, contact the HR Office Representative listed on this announcement at least one-full workday prior to the closing date for further assistance.
Resume
Completed Assessment Questionnaire
Transcripts (if applicable)
Miscellaneous (SF-50 if applicable)
Veteran's Preference Documentation (if applicable)
_Submitting Documents_
If you upload your documents using Application Manager, DO NOT FAX the same documents. To verify uploaded documents have been processed, please wait one hour to ensure they have cleared the virus scan. You can verify that your uploaded documents are attached to your application by checking the Details tab of your Application Manager account / for this vacancy announcement. Your documents will display under the Details tab in the Document area.
Faxed documents will take 2-3 business days to process. To fax documents, you MUST use the special cover page. Print the pre-populated cover page on the upload documents screen of Application Manager. Or, you may click this link
to print a copy of the cover page. When faxing documents, follow the procedures outlined below.
Include the Vacancy Identification Number 1275839
Provide your Social Security Number and full name in the spaces provided or we will not be able to associate your document(s) with the rest of your application.
You may submit multiple documents for the same vacancy announcement using one cover page.
Fax your cover page and documents to .
Faxed documents submitted with missing information will not be processed. The following will prevent your documents from being processed:
Not using the special cover page mentioned above.
Missing, incomplete, or invalid Vacancy Identification Number
Missing or incomplete Social Security Number or name
NOTE: Uploading your documents will speed the processing of your application for this announcement.
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of the status of your application. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.
View Occupational Questionnaire
The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
1. If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference see
2. If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) you may apply for special selection over other candidates for this position . To be well-qualified for the position and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must berated at 90or above on the rating criteria for this position.
Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible. For more information on CTAP/ICTAP see
#ctap
3. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see ).Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Department Of The Interior
United States Citizens Temporary NTE One year Full Time You too can make a difference in our world. The work of the US Fish and Wildlife Service is meaningful and varied. Want to know more about what it is like to work for us? Click here to watch a short podcast called Meet Your New Boss!
Relocation expenses _are not_ authorized.
This is a Temporary appointment, not to exceed 1040 hours in a service year. Employee may be rehired in subsequent years as long as 1040 hours has not been exceeded in the previous year.
These positions will be filled at either the GS-03 or GS-04 grade level; there is no promotion potential.
The employee serves as a skilled wildland fire crewmember for the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, located in Indiahoma, Oklahoma.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work is strenuous, requiring climbing, walking and running over uneven terrain, bending, hacking through underbrush, and lifting and carrying heavy equipment weighing over 50 pounds.
There is potential for burns, dehydration, and smoke inhalation. Work requires the use of specialized protective clothing and gear. The employee may conduct some activities from low flying aircraft and helicopters.
Firefighting is extremely arduous and hazardous. The work requires strenuous physical exertion, including carrying heavy objects, walking, climbing, bending, stooping, hacking through underbrush and using heavy tools for long periods of time.
Most work is performed outdoors in a forest and/or rangeland setting. Terrain ranges from flat and swampy to steep and rocky and is often covered with thick, tangled vegetation or various trees and grasses. Temperature extremes, smoke, and dust are frequently severe. The hazardous nature of the work requires the use of protective gear and clothing (boots, hard hat, nomex clothing, gloves, etc). The work is typically performed in isolated locations, which are often away from roads and water sources; camping is necessary for extended periods.
All application materials and supporting documentation _must_ be received by the closing date of this announcement (including Veterans Preference Documentation).
U.S. Citizenship Required Background Investigation Required Medical Examination and Drug Testing Must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license
Serves as a skilled member of a fire or engine crew with responsibility for using a variety of specialized tools, equipment, and techniques in controlling and suppressing fires.
Operates an engine for short periods of time.
Scouts fires and develops data on hazardous areas.
Maintains firefighting tools and equipment.
Receives and records reports of fires and executes initial attack plans.
Assists in dispatching personnel and equipment.
Participates in the fire presuppression program assisting in recruiting, training, and organizing firefighting crews.
By the closing date of this announcement, you must meet the minimum qualification requirements as outlined in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook and as identified in this announcement below. This handbook can be viewed at
BASIC
Qualifications:
GS-3: 6 months general experience OR completion of 1 year above high school with courses related to the occupation.
GS-4: 6 months general experience and 6 months specialized experience OR completion of
2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation.
OR
GS-3: Successful completion of 1 year of study that included at least 6 semester hours in a
combination of courses such as range management or conservation, agriculture,
forestry, wildlife management, engineering, biology, mathematics, or other natural
or physical sciences._ __ _
GS-4: Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in
any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range
management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil
science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor
recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more
than 3 semester hours in mathematics is creditable.
Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above) : In addition to the experience requirements described in the group coverage standard, seasonal experience may also be creditable. A season of experience is considered to be a period of no less than 3 months of continuous employment on a seasonal basis. Shorter periods may be combined to make a season, provided a total of at least 3 months' experience is shown. For any period where the work exceeded 3 months, the excess work is credited towards an additional season of experience. Four seasons of experience are qualifying for GS-4.
Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Forestry aid or technician work.
Engineering, range, or soil conservation technician work that involved the application of cultural, resource conservation, or land management practices on nonforest or ranch lands when combined with knowledge of forestry operations and equipment. Farming or ranching work that involved application of cultural and soil and water conservation practices, including safety and use of equipment, and that provided a basic understanding of land use. Forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work.
To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click the following link:
View Occupational Questionnaire __
_
__Transcripts__ _:_ You must submit a copy of your transcripts (official or unofficial photocopy) to document your educational accomplishments._Failure to submit this documentation by the closing date will result in disqualification from further consideration._ Official transcripts will be required if you are selected to fill the position. College transcripts are still required if you currently occupy or previously occupied the series for which you are applying.
__Foreign Education:__ Education completed outside the United States must have been evaluated by a private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials, commonly called a credential evaluation service or education that is recognized by the Secretary of Education from an accredited body.
_
REQUIREMENTS:
A background investigation is required for this position.
THIS IS A DRUG TESTING DESIGNATED POSITION . Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required prior to appointment to submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use. As a condition of continued employment in this position, employee will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
A level of physical fitness is required to allow the employee to work under periods of stress and physical exertion such as walking in rough terrain during field inspections and on fire assignments. Fire assignments require a physical fitness level meeting the requirements of 310-1, Wildland Fire Qualification Subsystem Guide.
Must obtain and continuously meet requirements for a National Interagency Fire Qualification System (NIFQS) rating of firefighter.
Must attain the prerequisite physical stamina and strength needed to perform rigorous duties and must demonstrate abilities at the prescribed level annually.
The individual selected for this position will be required to submit the Federal Interagency Medical History, Examination, and Clearance Form for Wildland Firefighters (Arduous Duty), if the form is not already on file.
The employee will be required to obtain and wear an official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform.
Employee must be able to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle. A valid state driver's license is required.
Once the application process is complete, a review of resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. Best Qualified, Well Qualified or Qualified. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
1. Knowledge of fire behavior including causes of wildland fire, influence of temperature, humidity, wind, topography, slope and fuel moisture conditions, and fuels in order to know where to attack the fire, build fire line, where to be positioned to manage a wildland fire, and to identify hazards.
2. Skill in use of hand tools such as Pulaskis, shovel, McLeod; and power tools including chainsaw, portable pumps to build fireline, control wildland fire, and maintenance of specialized equipment.
3. Skill in oral and written communication skills sufficient to effectively interact with people at all levels, internal and external to the organization, including the public to include knowledge of fire terminology to communicate with other crewmembers.
4. Knowledge of policy and procedures concerning fire management, safety, vehicle and equipment utilization, procurement, communications, training, and personnel.
NOTE: You should be aware that your ratings are subject to evaluation and verifications. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and capability. If a determination is made that you rated yourself higher than is supported by your application, or your application is incomplete, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience or you may be considered ineligible.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your R sum
2. A complete Occupational Questionnaire
3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section below)
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Thursday, December 18, 2014
There are two methods to apply on-line:
_Method 1:_ Click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
_
Method 1 is recommended for those who may be interested in applying for multiple vacancy announcements and those who need assistance in preparing a resume.
_
_Method 2:_ This method will allow you to bypass the USAJOBS user log in and resume builder feature to go directly to the online occupational questionnaire and then upload your resume from your personal word processing file. Click this link to complete the occupational questionnaire for this position. /
Method 2 is recommended for those who already have a resume available in a personal word processing file.
Note: To return to a previously Saved or Incomplete application you may use the following link: /.
To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload, complete this cover page
using the following Vacancy ID 1275839. Fax your documents to .
If you cannot apply online:
__
1. Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire
2. Print this 1203FX form to provide your response to the occupational questionnaire
, and
3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to . Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.
DO NOT SEND any application material(s) by U.S. mail or electronic mail. If you are unable to apply using one of the described methods, contact the HR Office Representative listed on this announcement at least one-full workday prior to the closing date for further assistance.
Resume
Completed Assessment Questionnaire
Transcripts (if applicable)
Miscellaneous (SF-50 if applicable)
Veteran's Preference Documentation (if applicable)
_Submitting Documents_
If you upload your documents using Application Manager, DO NOT FAX the same documents. To verify uploaded documents have been processed, please wait one hour to ensure they have cleared the virus scan. You can verify that your uploaded documents are attached to your application by checking the Details tab of your Application Manager account / for this vacancy announcement. Your documents will display under the Details tab in the Document area.
Faxed documents will take 2-3 business days to process. To fax documents, you MUST use the special cover page. Print the pre-populated cover page on the upload documents screen of Application Manager. Or, you may click this link
to print a copy of the cover page. When faxing documents, follow the procedures outlined below.
Include the Vacancy Identification Number 1275839
Provide your Social Security Number and full name in the spaces provided or we will not be able to associate your document(s) with the rest of your application.
You may submit multiple documents for the same vacancy announcement using one cover page.
Fax your cover page and documents to .
Faxed documents submitted with missing information will not be processed. The following will prevent your documents from being processed:
Not using the special cover page mentioned above.
Missing, incomplete, or invalid Vacancy Identification Number
Missing or incomplete Social Security Number or name
NOTE: Uploading your documents will speed the processing of your application for this announcement.
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of the status of your application. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.
View Occupational Questionnaire
The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
1. If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference see
2. If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) you may apply for special selection over other candidates for this position . To be well-qualified for the position and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must berated at 90or above on the rating criteria for this position.
Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible. For more information on CTAP/ICTAP see
#ctap
3. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see ).Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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