Incident Business Management Specialist (Fire Support)

Clarification from the agency

Open to the public.

• Duties listed are at the full performance GS-12 grade level
• Serves as the USFS Regional Incident Business Management Specialist, coordinating between the Forests, Department of Agriculture, Incident Management Teams (IMT), Buying Teams, and Incident Business Advisors, among others.
• Negotiates with key federal and state officials on controversial issues, or to gain acceptance of new programs or systems.
• Conducts reviews and analysis to measure performance of incident business related functions, and develops processes and guidelines to maintain good performance.
• Participates in formal and informal training opportunities providing expertise in development and presentation of incident business related materials (e.g., Interagency Incident Business Management, Applied Interagency Incident Business Management).
• Coordinates, negotiates, develops, and administers agreements to meet the objectives of interagency units with fire protection responsibilities within the zone while adhering to applicable laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines.
• Prepare written reports and/or analyses regarding USDA USFS polices on difficult or complex matters (e.g., appropriate expenditure of funds, rental and use of equipment, claims, cost effectiveness, property management, procurement).

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

GS-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as three or more of the following: Preparing, reviewing, and executing fire-related agreements consistent with incident (such as wildland fire, hurricane, flood, and/or earthquake recovery) business management policies and guidelines; and/or Providing guidance regarding incident business management policies and guidelines to fire managers; and/or Coordinating with other partners such as federal, state, local government or equivalent to resolve incident payments and billings; and/or Conducting reviews and analysis to measure performance of incident business related functions.

OR

A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Examples of qualifying education include degree programs in contracting, financial management, business administration or other closely related field.

OR

An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.).

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

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.

GS-12: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as three or more of the following:Providing advice and counsel to higher-level fire management on incident business management administrative issues to include appropriation use, personnel/payroll, cost management, fire acquisition, and fire claims; and/or Evaluating the effectiveness of incident business related trainings and making recommendations to improve course materials and delivery; and/or Preparing program-related correspondence, reports, and other written materials regarding incident business and fire programs, policies, and operations; and/or Coordinating with federal, state, local government, and private industry to manage wildland fire related agreements and ensure they are current, properly utilized, appropriate, and necessary; and/or Monitoring agreements and ensuring incident payments and billings are completed and consistent with agreements.

To receive consideration for this position, you must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. You will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Individuals with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13057316

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

• Resume that includes: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; Work Experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications. Resume cannot exceed 2 pages.
• If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
• If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
• If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FedsHireVets.
• Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), current performance appraisal with rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.

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