Summary
Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource.
This is a Public Notice for positions being filled under the Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) for Wildland Fire. Under this recruitment procedure applications will be accepted for each location identified in this Public Notice. Veterans' Preference is not applicable to this announcement. To learn more about Direct-Hire Authority, go to: OPM.GOV Hiring Information - DHA.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Applications will be accepted from all qualified U.S. Citizens. This is a public notice under the Direct Hiring Authority.
Duties
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is looking for employees to work as temporary seasonal Smokejumpers (Forestry Technicians) in Boise, ID or Fairbanks, AK. For more information on Crew Types, click here or view these videos.
A Smokejumper (GS-05):
- Parachutes into mountainous, remote, and/or rugged terrain and performs fire suppression and related duties.
- As a fire crew member or Initial Attack Commander incumbent utilizes fire behavior knowledge and firefighting experience to perform wildland fire suppression and prescribed fire operations safely and effectively in accordance with identified appropriate management response.
- May direct fire line activities and tactics for firefighters, equipment, aircraft and other resources.
- Maintains a variety of smokejumper and firefighting equipment, tools and supplies such as hand tools, chain saws, portable pumps and other equipment in suppressing fires.
- Repairs, packs and maintains parachutes and related equipment.
For information on Boise Smokejumpers, visit their website or view this video.
For information on Alaska Smokejumpers, visit their website.
Alaska Pay Differential:
*In addition to the base salary including 31.96% locality pay, you will receive a 1.69% cost of living allowance for Fairbanks, AK. This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment, and gradual decrease.
For contacts and information regarding housing availability visit Fire Contacts on the DOI FIRES Jobs website and select the state you are interested in.
For more information about temporary fire positions with DOI, go to the following link: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/TESTING: You must pass an initial pre-employment physical examination and must be able to pass the work capacity fitness test (must carry a 45 lb pack for 3 miles within 45 minutes). Failure to meet any of the required medical qualifications will disqualify you for employment. Any condition, which would cause you to be a hazard to yourself or to others, will disqualify you for employment.
ADEPTNESS: In addition to the physical requirements, smokejumper candidates must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the various aspects of parachuting and smokejumper related tasks. These include but are not limited to: Aircraft procedures, Parachute Malfunction procedures, Parachute landing rolls, Parachute maneuvering, Timber let-down procedures, Parachute and cargo retrieving, Tree climbing, Hand tool and chainsaw use, and Equipment checks.
TRAINING: To become qualified as a Bureau of Land Management Smokejumper, candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete an intensive training program in RAM Air Parachute Jumping and fire suppression methods and techniques. A minimum of 15 training jumps is conducted during the training period beginning with jumps into simple terrain, progressing into more difficult terrain and environmental conditions. Candidates will be evaluated continuously. Failure in any portion of training or the Adeptness Test will be grounds for removal from the program.
PHYSICAL TEST: When you report for duty, you will be given a physical condition test. Any candidates who cannot meet these minimum physical requirements will be terminated. The test is given in one time period with a 5-minute break between exercises. The test consists of performing the following exercises: 30 push-ups, 6 pull-ups, run 1.5 miles in 10.47 minutes and carry 110 pound pack over 3 miles of flat terrain within 65 minutes.
DRUG TESTING: Positions require a mandatory pre-employment drug test. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. The drug test will be provided at Government direction and expense. Once hired, employees are also subject to random drug testing during employment. This is in accordance with Executive Order 12564 and under the Department's Drug Free Workplace Program.
Positions may require a valid state driver's license.
**See note below.
Qualifications
**Note:
Some positions may require a CDL; information will be provided at job offer.
You must be 18 years of age or older at the time of appointment.
All positions have medical qualification requirements.
Hours worked per week must be stated for each season and position held in your resume.
***Experience listed will need to include specific duties about the work being performed and should not be only the general language stated below in the examples.
To qualify for a GS-05, you must meet at least one of the following AND the Selective Factors:
1 year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-04 level duties.
Examples of specialized work experience include:
On-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention or suppression work as a trained wildland firefighter, utilizing a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment. Experience may also include instructing or leading firefighters in both fire and non-fire assignments.
-OR-
A successful completion of a 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with either: 1. a major study in forestry, range management or agriculture; or a subject matter field directly related to the position; OR 2. at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 6 semester hours of mathematics is creditable. The level of the course work must have been equivalent to at least the junior- and senior-year levels of a baccalaureate program.
-OR-
3). A combination of education and specialized work experience described above.
Selective Factors for GS-05: In addition to the basic qualifications listed above, you must have possessed the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualification and experience to be considered eligible.
1. Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) And
2. 90 days of wildland firefighting experience
Wildland fire experience is defined as any non-structure fire duties that occur in the wildland. Wildland firefighting experience is gained through work on the fire line in containment, control, suppression or use of wildland fire. This experience can be met by serving in a temporary, seasonal or equivalent private sector fire position. Periods of wildland firefighting experience gained through militia and rural fire departments can also be credited.
For more information regarding basic qualifications and combining education and experience click here.
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Physical Demands: The incumbent must be able to work under extreme physical exertion regularly working 16 hour shifts or longer on the fireline. Work on the fireline requires considerable strenuous physical exertion, e.g., long periods of standing; digging; bending; kneeling; running chainsaws; and hiking over rough, uneven, rocky surfaces and through wooded or brush areas. These activities can be performed day or night, when the incumbent may be required to respond immediately from a sedentary activity to an extremely arduous activity. This can include carrying a 120 pound pack for up to 5 miles or more through rugged terrain. Incumbent is expected to parachute into this remote terrain under hazardous conditions.
The duties of this position are so rigorous that an annual physical examination and smokejumper fitness tests are required to ensure that the employee assigned can perform the duties without physical injury to self or others. Employees must meet the arduous physical and medical
standards identified in the lnteragency Standards for Fire and Fire Operations.
The incumbent must be prepared, at all times, to respond to a fire situation requiring the quick escape from a potentially fast moving fire in extreme terrain.
Work Environment: The majority of the work is performed out of doors in a wide variety of weather and terrain conditions or in a crowded airplane. Meals frequently consist of cold rations and sleeping accommodations may be a sleeping bag and a piece of plastic. The remainder of the work is
accomplished in a sometimes tense and stressful warehouse environment. Incumbent risks death or serious injury during parachute jumps, cargo dropping, or firefighting.
How You Will Be Evaluated
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 will be made to ensure basic qualification requirements are met.
Because this vacancy will be filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority, Veterans' Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to positions filled under this announcement. All qualified candidates will be referred for consideration; the hiring office may conduct interviews at their discretion.
Required Documents
You MUST upload "Required Documents" PRIOR to the Closing Date.
**Please note that documents selected to transfer from your USAJOBS profile are NOT automatically added to your application. You need to transfer the document(s) in the Document step at the end of the application process.
Resume MUST include your name and a list of each season and position held, duties performed, dates specified in month/year to month/year format. In addition, the resume must reflect full-time or total number of hours worked per week. Part-time hours can be pro-rated based on number of hours worked per week provided. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
- Example 1: 05/2018 to 08/2018 could be credited as 3 months if 40 hours worked per week (full-time) are listed -or- 2.25 months if 30 hours worked per week are listed -or-1.5 months if 20 hours worked per week are listed.
- Example 2: 05/2015 to 10/2015 could be credited as 5 months of experience if 40 hours worked per week (full-time) are listed -or- 3.75 months if 30 hours worked per week are listed -or- 2.5 months if 20 hours worked per week are listed.
- Example 3: Dates listed with month/day/year to month/day/year could be given credit for each to/from date in its entirety if hours worked per week are listed. 05/1/2018 to 08/16/2018 could be credited as 3 months, 16 days if 40 hours worked per week are listed -or- 1 month, 23 days if 20 hours worked per week are listed.
In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. Visit the USAJOBS Help Center for more information on what should I include in my federal resume: https://www.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include.
A complete Assessment Questionnaire: This is completed automatically during the online application process. The questions have to do with minimum qualifications, selective factors if applicable, a verification statement, etc. There is no additional document needed to complete this requirement.
Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
College transcripts - To qualify based on education, you MUST submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html) with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), grade-point average or class ranking, and if applicable, degree and date conferred. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) - If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP you MUST submit documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.
Incident Qualification Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or equivalent official documentation - If you are applying for the GS-05, you must submit your IQCS Master Record or equivalent official documentation which verifies you meet the required NWCG qualification and training for this IFPM position. Failure to provide this documentation will result in you being rated as not qualified for the GS-05 position.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
* You only need to upload documents that apply to you. For uploading instructions please click here.
You will not be contacted for additional information. If you have questions regarding what is considered appropriate supporting documentation, contact the DOI FIRES Program Office.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
How to Apply
THIS IS AN ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS THROUGH USAJOBS. Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time by the closing date of the announcement. If you need assistance in applying on-line, please contact the DOI FIRES Program Office at blm_fa_fires@blm.gov or call our toll-free number at 888-364-6432.
1. Review the Vacancy Announcement and Eligibility Criteria: Review the announcement thoroughly. The sections describe who is eligible to apply, what education and/or experience is required for the position, and which documents are needed for your application package.
2. Apply. Click the "APPLY" link on the right side of the vacancy announcement. This will direct you to the login page for USAJOBS. Select your USAJOBS resume to submit with your application and proceed through the application process answering all questions.
INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION COULD RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING.
You must build a resume with the USAJOBS Resume Builder or have an Uploaded Resume on your profile BEFORE applying. Videos showing how to apply for federal jobs can be found here: https://www.nifc.gov/careers/how-to-apply. The USAJOBS Resume Builder was designed to ensure that your resume includes the standard information needed. Failure to follow these instructions in the announcement (resulting in insufficient information being provided with your resume / application) could result in an ineligible rating.
Your Resume MUST include the following information:
-From and To dates (month/year to month/year) for each season and position held. (Ex: 05/2018 - 11/2018)
-Work schedule (number of hours worked per week) for all seasons and positions held. One year of experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week (full-time). Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for a position listed that does not indicate hours per week.
- Grade level for each season and position that were in the federal service.
- Complete Duties for each of the seasons and positions held.
- References personal and professional
3. Submit your resume and supporting documentation ONLINE through USAJOBS. You also must complete the online application and assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section.
For detailed step-by-step instructions on How to Apply: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/index.php/apply.
To verify the status of your application, please log into your USAJOBS account at:
https://secure.login.gov/.
For information on what each Application Status means: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.
FOLLOW UP. Check your application status 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 by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. NOTE: Technical issues may take at least 1 business day to resolve; therefore, you are highly encouraged to complete the application process prior to the closing date.
Next steps
Once you submit all the required documents and the online application (i.e., online questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation, etc.) in USAJOBS, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful.
After the evaluation process is complete, you will be notified via USAJOBs of a status change (i.e., referred, not eligible, not qualified, referred to the hiring official, etc.). Note, you must login to your USAJOBS profile to view details of the status change. Information regarding how to see your application status can be found in the USAJOBS Help Center.
If referred and further evaluation or interviews are required, you may be contacted by the hiring officials for the location in which you are referred.
You will receive a final notification if this job is filled or cancelled. Timelines for this process vary widely.
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