This position is OPEN UNTIL FILLED and may be extended or closed prior to the current closing date. Applications will be reviewed every 15 days; the first cut-off date for applications is 15 calendar days from the opening date and every 15 calendar days thereafter. Applicants with 10-point Veterans’ Preference who submit a complete application after each cut-off date, but before the Certificate of Eligibles is issued, will be considered and referred on the certificate, if qualified.

Basic Requirements for GS-0401 positions:

Degree – biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR
Combination of education and experience – a combination of education and experience, which included courses equivalent to a major (24 semester hours or equivalent) in disciplines shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education to total four years. The nature and quality of this course work must have been such that it would serve as a prerequisite for more advanced study in the field or subject-matter area.

GS-9 Minimum Qualifications:

At least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector; OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or master’s or equivalent graduate degree that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Specialized experience is defined as: providing operational oversight and planning of wildland fire suppression activities; exhibiting substantial knowledge of natural resource management, fire ecology, fire behavior, and fire management theories, concepts, principles, and standards in a wildland fire environment; applying established principles, practices, and concepts of wildland fire management in a leadership role sufficient to perform recurring assignments; & using in-depth knowledge of incident management qualifications, training and standards.

Selective Factor – Wildland Firefighter Experience:

Applicants must have a minimum of 90 days of prior wildland firefighting experience on the fireline, as gained by substantial service in a primary/rigorous firefighter position, or equivalent experience outside the Federal government. Wildland firefighting experience is defined as on-the-line wildland firefighting experience gained through containment, control, suppression, or use of wildland fire. Two distinct types of wildland fire have been defined and include Wildfires – Unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires, and Prescribed Fire – includes only fireline experience on a prescribed fire and does not include experience in the planning stages. Prescribed Fire experience must be supplemented by fire suppression experience in order to be creditable as previous wildland firefighting experience. This is a MANDATORY qualification prerequisite to qualify for this position.

Selective Factor – NWCG Incident Management Qualifications: All applicants must have at some point possessed one of the following pathways of National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position. Either pathway meets the requirements for this position:

• Moderate Complexity Pathway #1 – TFLD (Primary Core Requirement) & ICT3 or RXB2 (Secondary Core Requirement)
• Moderate Complexity Pathway #2 – HEBM (Primary Core Requirement) & ICT3 (Secondary Core Requirement)

**All applicants must provide an Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) master record or equivalent documentation for verification of these requirements**

This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the IFPM standard. This position has been categorized as a Wildland Fire Operation Specialist, and requires selectees to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at http://www.ifpm.nifc.go/

MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE: The maximum entry-age for this position shall not exceed age 37, unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian law enforcement or 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 lost eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement.

SPECIAL RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a Secondary/Administrative firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) AND 8412 (d) (FERS). Persons making their first entry into a firefighter position under these authorities cannot be selected if they have reached age 37 or older.

This is a permanent, full-time seasonal appointment. The incumbent will be in pay status at least 13 pay periods (26 weeks) or more depending on funding and workload not-to-exceed 25 pay periods per calendar year. Services will not be required at certain times due to lack of work, lack of funds, weather conditions, ceiling limitations, or other unforeseen circumstances and incumbent will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status.

**All qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement**

Merit Promotion candidates must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date.