Wildland Firefighter

Office of the Secretary of the Interior • Fairbanks, AK

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a Direct-Hire advertisement for a Wildland Firefighter position with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-4/5/6. The announcement is open to fill positions for various crew types including Wildland Fire Module, Engine, Hotshot, Helitack, Handcrew, and Fuels. The role involves performing fireline activities such as line construction, hose layout, operating pumps and accessories, and mop-up operations. Responsibilities also include gathering information on weather, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior, participating in fuels management projects and prescribed fires, and potentially serving as a situational leader. The position requires the operation and maintenance of specialized equipment. Duties listed are at the GW-06 full performance level. Indian Preference will be applied to candidates interested in specific listed locations only.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Suitability for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Direct Deposit Required.
• Must submit to and pass a drug test prior to appointment and be subject to random drug testing.
• Must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical examinations.
• Must pass the work capacity test for arduous positions.
• Must hold and maintain a valid state driver's license throughout employment.
• Position may require the incumbent to obtain and maintain a commercial driver's license (CDL), depending on location.
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• Must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position.
• Must meet the maximum age requirement (applicants must not have reached age 37 at the time of appointment, unless proof of prior Federal service in another primary covered position or veteran preference is provided).
• May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
• May be required to travel overnight away from home up to 50% of the time per month.
• Must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• May be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• For GW-04 level: Six months of general experience AND six months of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-03 level, OR 2 years of study above high school in an accredited college or university in Fire Training, Fire Science, Fire Technology or related fields, OR an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• For GW-05 level: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-04 level, or higher, OR successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major study in Fire Science, Fire Technology or other related fields, OR an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• For GW-06 level: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-05 level, or higher.
• For GW-06 level ONLY: Must meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM (Interagency Fire Program Management), including National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements: A.) Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1); AND B.) Intermediate Fire Behavior (S-290).
• Must be 18 years of age but not have reached their 37th birthday by the closing date of the announcement (exceptions apply for prior Federal service or veteran preference).

Nice To Haves

• If selected at the GW-05, must meet the IFPM training requirements for the GW-06 as a condition of employment before being eligible for promotion to the GW-06.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a senior wildland firefighter and member of one of the following crews: fuels, hand crew, hotshot, engine, helitack, or wildland fire module.
• Performs fireline activities such as line construction, hose layout, operations of pumps and accessories, and mop-up operations.
• Gathers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents.
• Participates in fuels management projects and prescribed fires and may serve as a situational leader on wildland fires.
• Responsible for operation and maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland and prescribed fire situations.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
• Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for AK Locations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree