Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)

Forest Service • Grand Rapids, MN

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This temporary position is located within a National Forest fire management organization, where the employee serves as a crewmember and fire dispatcher supporting fire suppression activities. The dispatcher receives, fills, and tracks resource requests for fires and other emergency incidents; dispatches personnel, equipment, aircraft, and supplies according to established plans or field resource orders; and requests additional resources from higher organizational levels when needed.

The role maintains resource status and tracking systems, operates telecommunications systems, records communications, and collects, processes, and submits incident information. It processes and interprets weather information used to assess burning indices, preparedness levels, and staffing for suppression and aviation resources. The employee enters information into fire-related computer applications, reviews initial outputs, organizes completed order and action records, and provides logistical information and resource-use recommendations to a supervisor.

The position may coordinate or assist with fire and aviation operational training, simulations, orientation, and dispatch training. It also gathers information for dispatch mobilization and internal operating guides and shares information with cooperators and other interested entities. The appointment is temporary, generally for up to six months or not to exceed one year, and may end early due to 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; the duty station is one of the listed locations. Willingness to live and work in remote, volatile or unpredictable locations is required, and occasional overnight travel may be needed for fire-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 and E-Verify employment verification.
• Must pass pre-employment drug testing; the position is subject to ongoing random drug testing.
• Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
• For the GW-05 level, must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4; or qualifying education; or an eligible combination of education and experience.
• Qualifying specialized experience may include filing and retrieving documents in a dispatch office, assisting with dispatch maps, plans, guides, analyses, or reports, or receiving and processing equipment, personnel, and supply requests for wildland fire and emergency incidents.
• Must provide required application documents and meet qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Must be willing to live and work in remote locations that may be volatile or unpredictable.
• 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.
• Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire-related assignments.
• Must use direct deposit for federal payments.

Responsibilities

• Receive, fill, and track resource requests for fire and other emergency incidents.
• Dispatch personnel, equipment, aircraft, and supplies according to established plans or field resource orders.
• Request additional resources from higher organizational levels as needed.
• 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 adherence to operating procedures.
• Process and interpret weather information to support burning-index, preparedness-level, and staffing decisions for suppression and aviation resources.
• Enter data into fire-related computer applications and make initial assessments of application outputs.
• Provide logistical support information to a supervisor and recommend efficient use of available resources.
• Record and maintain communication logs.
• Coordinate or assist with fire and aviation operational training, simulations, orientation, and dispatch training.
• Gather information for dispatch mobilization and internal operating guides.
• Share information with cooperators and other interested entities.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• 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