Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)

Forest Service • Grand Rapids, MN

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This temporary position is located in a National Forest fire management organization and serves as a crewmember supporting fire suppression activities as a fire dispatcher. The role provides dispatch, communications, information-processing, and logistical support for fire and other emergency incidents. The position is not eligible for telework and may be based at one of the duty locations listed in the announcement. The expected start date is between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. The appointment will last up to six months or, in some cases, up to one year, and may be extended without further competition. It may end early because of lack of work or funds. Remote work locations may be volatile or unpredictable, and occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or related assignments. The role is a secondary firefighter position and requires prior wildland firefighting experience, medical screening, and successful completion of the appropriate Work Capacity Test. Fire-certified Job Corps graduates are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Pass background investigation and/or fingerprint check adjudication, and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Submit to pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment depends on a negative pre-employment result.
• Meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and pass the appropriate Work Capacity Test for Wildland Firefighters.
• Have prior wildland firefighting experience.
• For GW-04, qualify through six months of general experience and six months of directly related specialized experience; or two years of qualifying study including at least 12 semester hours in specified natural-resource-related subjects; or an appropriate combination of qualifying experience and education.
• Clearly document qualifying experience in the application and resume; provide transcripts when qualifying based on education and course descriptions as necessary.
• Be willing to live and work in remote locations.
• Be available for occasional overnight travel for fire suppression or related assignments.
• Some fire positions may require a valid state driver's license, a commercial driver's license, pre-appointment and random drug testing, or a physical or medical examination.

Nice To Haves

• Successful completion of a Job Corps fire-certified program is encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Receive, fill, and track resource requests for fire and other emergency incidents.
• Follow established procedures to request additional resources from higher organizational levels.
• Maintain resource status and tracking systems and operate telecommunications systems.
• Collect, process, collate, and submit incident information supporting fire operations, including fire reports, smoke permits, spot weather forecasts, and prescribed-fire burn requests.
• Organize and review records of orders and actions to ensure compliance with operating procedures.
• Process weather information, including forecasts, observations, lightning detection, and fuel moisture levels, to support assessments of burning indices, preparedness, and staffing for suppression and aviation resources.
• Enter data into fire-related computer applications and make initial assessments of system outputs.
• Provide critical logistical support information to a supervisor.
• Record and maintain communication logs.
• Coordinate and assist with fire and aviation operational training, simulations, orientation, and dispatch training.
• Gather information to develop and maintain dispatch mobilization and internal dispatch operating guides.
• Share information with cooperators and other interested entities.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package, with benefits for employees and families; specific eligibility depends on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed