Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)

Forest Service•Shoshone, ID

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within a National Forest fire management organization and serves as a fire dispatcher supporting wildland fire suppression activities. The incumbent determines responses to field incidents and requests, plans and carries out the dispatch of personnel, equipment, and supplies, anticipates resource needs, and recommends resource orders and allocations. The position coordinates aviation dispatch operations, including aircraft capabilities, flight planning, and aviation safety, and operates or directs dispatch telecommunications systems. The incumbent processes weather and fire-related information to support decisions about burning indices, preparedness levels, and staffing for suppression and aviation resources. The role also includes maintaining records and communications logs; entering and assessing data in fire-related computer applications; providing logistical support and information to supervisors, cooperators, and other interested entities; supporting training and orientation; and recommending improvements to operating procedures, plans, and mobilization guides. The position assists lower-level dispatch personnel with problems. This is a temporary federal position for the FY2027 hiring season, expected to start between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. It may last up to six months or up to one year under a not-to-exceed appointment, and may end earlier due to lack of work or funds. The position is not eligible for telework. Duty locations are those listed in the announcement, with location-dependent pay and possible variation in government housing and day-care availability.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
Must pass E-Verify employment verification and background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
Must pass pre-employment drug testing and be subject to random drug testing; appointment depends on a negative pre-employment result.
Must meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and pass the appropriate level of the Work Capacity Test for Wildland Firefighters.
Must be willing to live or work in remote, volatile or unpredictable locations; occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or related assignments.
Must have prior wildland firefighting experience.
For the GS-06 level, must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level; education cannot substitute for this experience.
Qualifying specialized experience includes serving as a dispatcher receiving, filling, and tracking resource requests for fire or other emergency incidents; arranging ground and air transportation of personnel, supplies, and equipment; or collecting, processing, and disseminating weather and smoke-management information in computer programs or databases.
Application and resume must clearly demonstrate required experience; transcripts must be provided when qualifications are based on education.
Must comply with direct-deposit requirements for federal payments.

Responsibilities

Determine appropriate responses to incidents and field requests, and independently dispatch personnel, equipment, and supplies for wildland fire suppression.
Anticipate suppression resource needs, resolve irregular or problem situations, and recommend resource orders and allocations.
Coordinate aviation dispatch operations, including aircraft capabilities and limitations, flight planning, and aviation safety.
Operate or direct dispatch telecommunications systems.
Organize and review records of orders and actions to ensure compliance with operating procedures.
Process and interpret weather information, including forecasts, observations, lightning detection, and fuel moisture levels, to support burning-index, preparedness-level, and staffing decisions.
Enter data into fire-related computer applications, direct others doing so, and assess application outputs.
Plan and provide logistical support information to supervisors and recommend efficient use of available resources.
Provide information and consult with cooperators and other interested entities.
Record and maintain communication logs.
Coordinate and may assist with fire training and orientation.
Review internal operating procedures and systems, recommend improvements, and update or develop operating plans and mobilization guides.
Assist lower-level dispatch personnel with problems.