Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)

Forest Service • La Grande, OR

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This temporary position is located within a National Forest fire management organization and serves as a dispatcher supporting fire suppression and other emergency activities. The dispatcher receives, fills, and tracks resource requests; follows procedures to request additional resources; maintains resource status systems; and operates telecommunications systems. The role also processes and shares incident and weather information, maintains records and communication logs, enters information into fire-related computer applications, and provides logistical support to a supervisor. The position may coordinate or assist with fire and aviation training and simulations and help maintain dispatch mobilization and operating guides. The appointment is for up to six months or, as a not-to-exceed appointment, up to one year; it may end early for lack of work or funds. The expected start date is between April 18, 2027, and June 13, 2027. The position is not eligible for telework. Willingness to live and work in remote, volatile or unpredictable locations is required, and occasional overnight travel may be needed for fire suppression or related assignments.

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 the required background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Must successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must submit to pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment depends on a negative pre-employment result.
• Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
• For GW-04, must meet one of the stated qualification paths: six months of general experience and six months of related specialized experience; two years of qualifying study with at least 12 semester hours in listed natural-resource-related subjects; or an appropriate combination of qualifying experience and education above high school.
• Application and resume must clearly document qualifying experience; transcripts are required when qualifying based on education.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote, volatile or unpredictable locations.
• Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or related assignments.
• Some fire positions may require a valid state driver's license, commercial driver's license, pre-appointment and random drug testing, or a physical or medical examination.

Nice To Haves

• Graduates of Job Corps fire-certified programs are encouraged to apply.
• Examples of specialized experience include assisting with filing and retrieving dispatch-office documents or processing requests for equipment, personnel, and supplies for wildland fire and emergency incidents.

Responsibilities

• Receive, fill, and track resource requests for fire and other emergency incidents.
• Follow procedures for requesting additional resources from higher organizational levels.
• Maintain resource status and tracking systems and operate telecommunications systems.
• Collect, process, collate, and submit incident information, 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.
• Enter data into fire-related computer applications and make initial assessments of their outputs.
• Provide logistical support information to a supervisor.
• Record and maintain communication logs.
• Coordinate or assist with fire and aviation training, simulations, orientation, and dispatch training.
• Gather information to develop and maintain dispatch mobilization and internal operating guides.
• Share information with cooperators and other interested entities.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Government housing and federal day care facilities may be available depending on location.

What This Job Offers

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