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Wildland Firefighter (Fuels)

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource.

These positions are located in the Twin Falls District. Information about Southern Idaho and the surrounding area can be found here.

We expect to fill two vacancies at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority here.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
04/16/2025 to 04/29/2025
This job will close when we have received 75 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$61,950 to - $93,743 per year

The salaries listed reflect the permanent pay increases for federal wildland firefighters, under the new GW pay scale, effective March 23, 2025.

Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 9
Locations
2 vacancies in the following locations:
Burley, ID
Shoshone, ID
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
9
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
ID-DHA-25-12722287-TPS
Control number
835346000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens - No previous federal service is required. This position is being advertised under an OPM government-wide Direct Hire authority. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.

Duties

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  • Provides professional guidance in the development and implementation of multiple resource objectives.
  • Develops fuels treatment alternatives to support management decisions while adhering to applicable laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines.
  • Evaluates individual fuels treatments as well as the effectiveness of the overall program and makes recommendations for improvement.
  • Utilizes GIS platforms to assist fuels management with project/activity; planning, implementation and record keeping duties.
  • Provides short- and long-range planning and budgeting for fuels management leveraging partnerships and agreements to accomplish fuels treatments and activities.
  • Provides input and recommend strategies for fuels and fire management.
  • Participates in the development, review, and modification of prescribed fire plans.
  • Coordinates with the next higher organizational level, other agencies, cooperators, and stakeholders to develop interagency fuels strategies.
  • Implements and administers prescribed fire activities, wildland fire use, and fuels management activities and surveys.
  • Monitors fire behavior, evaluate fire effects, identify potential problems, and take appropriate action.
  • Prioritizes prescribed fire and fuels management projects.
  • Serves as a Contracting Officer’s Representative on fuels management contracts and is responsible for the preparation of contract specifications and performance measures.
  • Identifies opportunities to implement mentorship and training for others during project work, prescribed fire, and fire suppression activities.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Be sure to read the How to Apply and Required Documents Sections.
  • You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
  • Direct Deposit Required.
  • Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
  • Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
  • This position requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work.
  • You must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position.
  • An applicant appointed to this position must possess (or obtain within 30 days of entrance on duty) and maintain a valid state driver's license while employed in this position.
  • May require a one year probationary period.
  • 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.

Qualifications

Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified:

  • You must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license while employed in this position.
In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.

To qualify for the GW-07 level:
You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS/GW-06 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: performing duties which provided a basic understanding of wildland fire management concepts, theories and practices including the assessment of fire effects on cultural and/or natural resources; assisting other fire management staffs in the development of complex presentations; presenting or conducting simple presentations of fire management concepts, topics, information; researching technical reports and/or other sources to obtain information used by higher graded professionals; applying basic formulas to routine calculations; and/or participating in the development and/or implementation of wildland fire management plans including carrying out initial attack incident management strategies and tactics to meet the stated resource
objectives.

To qualify for the GW-08 level:
You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS/GW-07 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: wildland firefighter work analyzing fire behavior including weather, fuels (type and condition), and topography; understanding fire suppression strategies and tactics, resource availability and capability, and public
safety; knowledge of fire management objectives and resource protection concerns; work that involved directing prescribed fire/fuels management activities including but not limited to prescribed fire, mechanical and biological fuels treatments, fire effects monitoring, fuels treatment monitoring, smoke monitoring.

To qualify for the GW-09 level:
You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS/GW-08 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: assisting with developing, reviewing and evaluating fire management plans for ecological soundness and consistency with land management goals and objectives; analyzing fuel loadings and determining appropriate fuel treatment methods; performing land use planning and environmental coordination to determine if resource objectives were achieved; assist with analyzing the ecological role of fire and its use and/or exclusion, and smoke management.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

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.

This is a SECONDARY/Administrative fire position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age (MEA) policy, the selectee must have prior service in a primary position and meet the transfer requirement for movement from a primary to secondary position to be eligible for special retirement coverage. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits(normally through submission of your SF-50). YOU MUST LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN A PRIMARY POSITION.

FACT SHEET for Fire Positions: Information on Special Retirement

Physical Demands: Work in the office is primarily sedentary. Field work does require frequent physical exertion, involving walking over rough terrain, sometimes for extended periods, and working under occasionally inclement (hot, cold, snow, wind, etc.) weather conditions. The incumbent must be in good physical condition in order to safety perform field activities. The incumbent must be able to perform duties in areas of uncontrolled wildfire where hazardous conditions exist. The incumbent must be able to fly as a passenger in helicopters and single engine fixed wing aircraft.

Work Environment: Work is performed in both an office and field setting with field work. Field work involves exposure to temperature extremes, both from weather and fire conditions where falling trees and the presence of smoke and/or dust conditions create hazardous conditions. The nature of fire management work requires that protective clothing (boots, hard hats, etc.) be worn. The incumbent must exercise a variety of safety practices and precautions for the well-being of self and of others.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-06 and above grade levels for the GW-0456 series.

Additional information

The salaries listed in this announcement reflect the permanent pay increases for federal wildland firefighters, under the new GW pay scale, effective March 23, 2025. The new pay schedule is accessible here: Pay & Leave : Salaries & Wages - OPM.gov.

This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at:https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/#url=Fact-Sheet

DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: CTAP or ICTAP

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service

Travel 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.

This position is not eligible for Telework.

Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees. If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive or Student Loan Repayment.

This position is considered a career ladder opportunity, with a full performance level of GW-09. If selected at a lower grade level, you may be non-competitively promoted to the next grade level at the discretion of your supervisor and is contingent upon meeting regulatory and legal requirements for promotion, satisfactory performance, and the availability of higher-level work. Promotion is not guaranteed, and no promise of promotion is implied.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the job opportunity announcement closes, your resume and all supporting documents will be reviewed by HR to determine your eligibility for Federal employment and your qualifications for this position specifically.

Because this vacancy will be filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to positions filled under this announcement. Applications received as a result of job fairs, recruitment events, and emergency hiring mechanisms in support of this hiring initiative will also be accepted during the duration of the announcement. All qualified candidates will be referred for consideration; the hiring office may conduct interviews at their discretion.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics). You do not have to respond to the competencies separately, but your resume should contain sufficient information to demonstrate possession of the following competencies:

  • Fire Management: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of fire management, including the characteristics, behavior, and ecology of fire; methodologies, strategies, and equipment used in prescribed fires; fire detection, prevention, and suppression strategies; and integration of fire with natural resource management.
  • Administration and Management: Knowledge of planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production.
  • Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
  • Leadership: Inspires, motivates and guides others toward goal accomplishment; coaches, mentors, and challenges subordinates; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations; models high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, openness, and respect for the individual by applying these values to daily behaviors.

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