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BLM is seeking individuals to serve as Forestry Techs (Assistant Engine Captains) with the BLM, North Central Montana District Office, Division of Fire Management.
Currently we have one vacancy in Zortman, MT and one vacancy in Lewistown, MT. Applicants must apply by October 21, 2019 to be considered for these vacancies.
Applications may be considered as needed by location during the open period of the announcement.
10/07/2019 to 06/30/2020
$18.13 - $23.57 per hour
GS 06
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
50% or less - Frequent travel during times of peak fire activity will be required.
No
Permanent - This is a permanent LONG-TERM CAREER SEASONAL position (6 to 11 1/2 months) per year.
Full-time - When in pay status the work schedule will be full-time.
Competitive
06
No
Yes
MT Merit-2020-0005
548031500
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
- All current or former federal employees with competitive/reinstatement eligibility; - CTAP and ICTAP eligibles within the local commuting area; - All Veterans' Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) eligibles; - Land Management eligibles under PL-114-47, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA)​.
At the full performance level, the incumbent is responsible for performing a variety of duties including, but not limited to, the following:
-Driving and operating a wildland fire engine and positioning the engine for proper use and operation.
-Performing and directing others in starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose, and using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and additives.
-Making initial evaluation of fire situations, determining rate of spread, potential hazards to property and other improvements, suppression method to use, hose lays, deployment of crew, point of initial attack, type of tools to use, and application of water.
-Performing emergency repairs as necessary to permit continued use of equipment.
-Participating in wildland fire and safety training.
-Operating a variety of motor vehicles to transport equipment, supplies, crew members, etc.
-Providing daily leadership and training for the crewmembers, instructing crew members in specific tasks and techniques, conducting on-the-job training, distributing and controlling work assignments among employees, assuring timely accomplishment of assigned tasks, maintaining work notes and records, reports on work accomplishments, ensuring that the work is carried out safely, and reporting on performance problems and issues.
-Providing supervision of the crew in the absence of the supervisor.
Physical Demands and Work Environment: Duties involve rigorous fieldwork requiring above average physical performance, endurance, and superior conditioning. Duties include demands for strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time. The work is primarily performed in forest and range environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, and covered with vegetation. Temperatures vary from above 100 degrees F to below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. Personnel must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor sleeping and eating conditions, and unpredictable sets of circumstances. Incumbent may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time.
Additional Information:
-This is a LONG-TERM CAREER SEASONAL position (6 to 11 1/2 months). It is expected that the incumbent will work at least 6 months per year, but not more than 11 1/2 months. When work or funds are not available you will be placed in non-pay status.
-This position requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work.
-Must possess a valid driver's license.
-This position requires you to wear an officially-approved uniform while in a duty status.
-This is a primary fire position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). The maximum entry-age for this position shall not exceed age 37, unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian firefighter experience or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement.
-THIS IS A DRUG TESTING DESIGNATED POSITION. In accordance with Executive Order 12564, and under the Department’s Drug Free Workplace Program. Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use and to pass the test prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
-Position is subject to meeting pre-employment physical requirements.
Selective Placement Factors: This position requires special qualifications that have been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as screen out elements. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified:
*Note: currency is not required; however, applicants must have held the full qualification(s)/currency at some point in their career. If not fully qualified, the incumbent will be required to re-gain and maintain currency.
In Addition to the Selective Placement Factors - One year of specialized wildland fire management experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service. At the GS-05 level the incumbent performs standard assignments independently, seeking guidance for tactical problems or unfamiliar situations. Examples: Serving as senior crewmember of an engine or hand crew; performing all aspects of wildland and fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop-up; and performing fire engine operations including starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose, and using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustments. - OR - One year (18 semester hours) of graduate education DIRECTLY related to the work of the position. Equivalent combinations of post-high school education and specialized experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements.
Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled.
Equivalent combinations of post-high school education and specialized experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements.
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
There is no education requirement for this position. See qualifications section.
-These positions are also being advertised under vacancy announcement MT-DEU-2020-0002. Multiple selections may be made from these announcements.
-Appointment is subject to meeting one-year probationary requirements.
-RELOCATION EXPENSES: Travel, transportation and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
-You must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position.
-Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at CTAP or ICTAP. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must receive a score of at least 90 to receive priority consideration under either program. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at CTAP or ICTAP.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your rating will be based on your responses to the Job Specific Questionnaire and the information stated in your resume. If qualified, your score may range from 70-100 points. In addition, interviews may be conducted for this position. The interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis or may be scored. The job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills, and abilities required to do the work of this position:
-Knowledge of strategies, tactics, and suppression methods used in containment and control of wildfires and wildland fires.
-Specific technical firefighting knowledge such as, but not limited to, fire engine and pump operations, hose lays, hand crew operations and/or engine operations.
-Knowledge of general range/forestry technician work in order to personally perform and lead others in the performance of a variety of work in such areas as hazard tree removal, recreation, wildlife and watershed, and in general maintenance and upkeep of facility, vehicle and equipment.
On-line Questionnaire: Please make sure that your responses to the on-line questionnaire are supported in your resume.
THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTATION MUST BE INCLUDED, AS APPLICABLE:
1) IQCS Master Record: You MUST submit a copy of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other equivalent documentation which verifies you meet the required NWCG qualifications for this IFPM position. Failure to provide this documentation by the closing dated of the announcement will result in you being rated as not qualified. Note: IQCS master record must be submitted to each announcement as applicable.
2) SF-50b (or SF-50): If you are applying as a current federal employee or as a reinstatement eligible you must submit a copy of your SF-50b (Notification of Personnel Action) , or equivalent document that verifies tenure (block 24, code 1 or 2) and Competitive Status (block 34, code 1).
3) College Transcripts: If you believe you qualify based on your education, or a combination of education and experience, you must submit a copy of all college transcripts (undergraduate/graduate) or a list of college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. If your degree is from a Foreign Institution see click here to see Foreign Education requirements. Note: Transcripts must be submitted to each announcement as applicable.
4) VEOA Documentation: If applying under the VEOA appointing authority your profile must contain a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release, Discharge from active military showing all dates of service, as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc., and reason for separation) – the member 4 copy is preferable, or other authorized documentation to support your VEOA eligibility. Lack of supporting documentation will result in an inability to recognize veteran status eligibility for this announcement.
5) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Documentation: If you are a CTAP or ICTAP Eligible applicant: Provide 1) a copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location; and, 2) proof of eligibility. It must be indicated in your application that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible. Note: CTAP/ICTAP documents must be submitted to each announcement as applicable.
6) Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA): If you are eligible under PL-114-47, LMWFA you must submit documentation verifying (a) initial selection under competitive examining procedures to a land management agency under a time-limited appointment in the competitive service , (b) service under this initial appointment, or in conjunction with subsequent competitive service time-limited appointments, to a land management agency was for a period of 24 months without a break in service of two or more years, and (c) performance was evaluated as being at an acceptable level for the entire applicable period(s). “Required documentation” includes first and last SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) for each appointment verifying the Position Occupied code (Block 34) is 1-Competitive Service, AND documentation of successful performance for each appointment. Applicants are encouraged to combine all required documents into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping documents into files will simplify the application process. Failure to submit required documentation will result in loss of consideration.
Uploading and Faxing Supplemental Documentation: You may submit your documents either via Auto-Requested Fax or by uploading your documents from your computer or USAJOBS Profile. Uploading Documents: you may use the uploading procedures thru Applicant Manager (3MB is the maximum size allowed for a document). Auto-Requested Fax: allows you to submit required documentation that will be electronically displayed along with your resume. The opportunity to do this will be provided during the application process by a pop-up message option to generate an auto-requested fax cover sheet. Each document type must use the appropriate generated fax coversheet and be faxed in a separate transmission. Do not use both options or upload more than one file in each section, only one document can be saved in each section, and only the latest document will be maintained in the system. Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
THIS IS AN ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS THROUGH USAJOBS. If you need assistance in applying online, please call or email the contact listed on this vacancy. If applying online poses a hardship for you (i.e. you do not have access to the internet) you must contact us prior to the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying. PLEASE NOTE: If you have access to a public library, State Job Service Office, etc., you must use these resources to apply online. You must follow the steps described below to complete the application process:
1)YOU MUST HAVE OR CREATE A PROFILE in USAJOBS. Your profile must contain a current resume for submission. In order to receive proper consideration, your resume should include the following information:
- Current personal contact information.
- Work experience (paid or unpaid) including - starting and ending dates (month and year), employer's name and address, job title (include job series and grade if Federal), duties and accomplishments, supervisor's name and telephone number, indicate if supervisor may be contacted, hours per week, and salary.
-Education and job-related training including - school name, type and year of degrees/diploma received, credits earned and majors; title of training course and year of completion.
- References - personal and professional
- Additional information - skills (languages, tools, machinery, typing speed, etc.), certificates or licenses (current only), and/or honors, awards, and special accomplishments (recognition, professional memberships, publications, leadership activities, etc.).
INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION COULD RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING.
The USAJOBS Resume Builder was designed to ensure that your resume includes the standard information needed. The Resume Builder is an available tool when you login to your USAJOBS account.
2) COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION, including responses to all application questions, by clicking on the “APPLY ONLINE” button that appears on this announcement.
3) Include SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTATION as applicable. See “Required Documents” section.
Checking Application Status and Materials: Do this before the announcement closes. It is your responsibility to ensure that a complete application (including a resume, on-line questionnaire, and applicable supplemental documentation) is received before by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. NOTE: Technical problems may take at least 1 business day to resolve; therefore, you are highly encouraged to complete the application process prior to the closing date. After you have completed your application, to check the status of your application materials log in to your USAJOBS account, select the “Applications” section, the status for your application will show on the right-hand side of the position in which you applied. You can also click on the “+” sign on the left-hand side to see a detailed applications status. Once your resume and on-line questionnaire have been received it will state “Received.” Any other application status may indicate that you did not complete the application process and/or your application has not been submitted. Please note: A status of “Received” reflects that your resume and on-line questionnaire have been received; applicable supplemental documentation may still need to be submitted (see Required Documents).
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgment email from USAJobs that your submission was successful once we have received your online assessment questionnaire and resume. It is your responsibility to ensure that additional supporting documentation is received. You will be notified of the status of your application and/or referral to the hiring official via your USAJobs account after the evaluation process is complete. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/548031500. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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