Wildland Firefighter (Fire Effects and Fuels Monitoring) (Seasonal) - Direct Hire Authority

Office of the Secretary of the Interior • Denali Park, AK

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This seasonal, temporary GW-0456-5/6 Wildland Firefighter position with the US Wildland Fire Service serves on a fire effects and fuels monitoring module. Depending on grade, the position supports or helps lead wildland fire suppression, fire effects and fuels monitoring, fuels management, and post-fire activities. Duty locations are Denali Park and Fairbanks, Alaska; Fort Defiance, Arizona; Van Buren, Missouri; Tupelo, Mississippi; Sanford and Woodville, Texas. Not all locations may hire at all grades, and applicants are considered only for locations they select.

At the GW-05 level, the firefighter performs assigned suppression activities; monitors and records fire characteristics and progression; collects data on fuels, vegetation, moisture, and environmental conditions; enters monitoring data into established systems; and identifies local flora. At the GW-06 level, the firefighter serves as an experienced crew member and assistant field lead, helps determine and direct tactical actions and equipment use, documents fire and suppression impacts, reviews monitoring plans and reports, contributes to fuels and fire management plans, and trains others in monitoring methods.

The position is temporary and limited to no more than 1,039 hours during a service year. An extension to a maximum of 1,386 hours may be possible if authorized in the future, but no extension is currently authorized or guaranteed. Work takes place in forest, range, and desert environments, often in steep, uneven terrain and smoky or extreme-temperature conditions. Duties involve arduous physical exertion, possible extended backcountry camping, and may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft. Personal protective equipment is required.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must be suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Must submit to a drug test and receive a negative result before appointment; the position is also subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• Must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine continued fitness for the position.
• Must pass the work capacity test for arduous positions.
• Must be at least 18 years old to be assigned to a hazardous position.
• May need to operate a government or private motor vehicle on official duties and maintain a valid state driver's license.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• GW-05: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GW/GS-04 performing related fire effects monitoring, wildfire, fuels, prescribed fire, or post-fire work and/or collecting related vegetation, fuels, weather, fire behavior, ecological, burn-severity, or fire-effects data; or successful completion of a four-year course of study at an accredited college or university with a major in Fire Science, Fire Training, Fire Technology, or a related field; or a combination of qualifying education and experience.
• GW-06: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GW/GS-05, including fire monitoring or wildland fire crew experience demonstrating ability to lead or assist in leading others and experience with fire suppression, fuels management, fire effects and fuels monitoring, post-fire operations, vegetation and fuels measurement and documentation, plant identification, or fire behavior and weather data collection and reporting.
• Experience may include paid or unpaid qualifying work, including volunteer experience.
• Applicants qualifying through education or a combination of education and experience must submit transcripts with the required academic details. Foreign education used to qualify must be evaluated as equivalent to U.S. accredited education or receive full credit from a U.S. accredited institution.
• A valid government charge card may be required for travel and/or purchase authority, with required training and maintenance.
• Must provide Form BIA-4432 if claiming Indian Preference for the Fort Defiance, Arizona location.

Responsibilities

• Perform wildland fire suppression, including attacking, controlling, and mopping up fires; constructing and patrolling fire lines; suppressing spot fires; conducting firing operations; felling snags or trees; and cutting brush.
• Monitor and record fire characteristics, including rate of spread, flame length, fire behavior, and fire effects, and plot fire progression on maps.
• Collect and record data on live and dead fuels, fuel moisture, vegetation, and other environmental conditions.
• Enter fire effects and fuels monitoring data into established databases and information systems.
• Identify local flora, including grasses, herbs, shrubs, and trees to species, and distinguish lower plant orders using established identification methods.
• At GW-06, determine and implement tactical actions for fire suppression and direct the operation and use of specialized tools and equipment.
• Collect data, document observations, and prepare reports on observed and potential impacts of fire and suppression activities on resources.
• Review fire effects and fuels monitoring plans and reports, and provide input on prescribed fire and fuels treatment plans, fire management plans, and other resource management plans as assigned.
• Train crew members and others in establishing monitoring sites and collecting fire effects and fuels data across a variety of fuel and vegetation conditions.
• Participate in fuels management and post-fire activities.
• Meet arduous work capacity, medical, drug-testing, and other employment conditions applicable to the position.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• A 3.0% cost-of-living allowance applies to Denali, Alaska, or a 1.49% cost-of-living allowance applies to Fairbanks, Alaska; allowances are subject to annual review, adjustment, and possible gradual decrease.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level