Wildland Firefighter (UAS Assistant Module Leader) - Direct Hire Authority Job

Vacancy No. NS-1546-PWFA-24-12559934-DH Department National Park Service
Salary $54,292.00 to $70,578.00 Grade 8 to 8
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/28/2024 Close Date 11/29/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Redding, CAThree Rivers, CABoulder City, NV


Summary

This position will serve as the UAS Module Assistant Leader within the Pacific West Region of Fire and Aviation Management.

For more information contact:
Joe Suarez, NPS PWR UAS Module Supervisor, joe_suarez@nps.gov

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. DIRECT HIRING AUTHORITY will be used to fill this position.

Duties

  • This position will serve as the UAS Module Assistant Leader and is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the UAS Module members. Duties are directly connected with the control and management of fires and/or maintenance and use of fire fighter apparatus, aircraft, aircraft sensors, payloads and equipment. The Module Assistant Leader is responsible for ensuring the mission of the module program is accomplished while balancing the needs of module members, home unit and the region.
  • Operates, moves, inspects, and performs preventative maintenance on aircraft, aircraft sensors, payloads, vehicles and equipment to include crew carriers, command vehicles, pickups, and other specialized equipment.
  • Uses judgment to safely operate, maneuver, and set up aircraft, aircraft sensors, payloads, vehicles and equipment in a variety of environments including urban, grassland, and mountainous terrain. Ensures adherence to vehicle safety procedures when transporting personnel, fuel, and equipment, considering bridge and road limits, equipment weight and length, and weather effects.
  • Direct assigned suppression operations and recommend and implement tactical strategy on attacking, controlling, or mopping up fires, building or patrolling firelines, cleaning up burned areas within firelines, suppressing spot fires, felling snags or trees, and cutting brush.
  • Adjusts actions based on changing information and evolving situational awareness.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
  • You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. .
  • You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
  • Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotorwing aircraft.
  • You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
  • If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
  • Subject to frequent extended travel up to 21 nights a month particularly during fire season, and you must obtain a government charge card for travel.
  • Must have the ability to lift 50 pounds
  • You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
  • Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and also pass a medical examination (which includes vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized government physician. You will also be required to periodic medical examinations throughout employment.
  • The Work Capacity Test (WCT-Pack Test) as a method for assessing an employee's fitness levels for fire qualifications in the positions covered by this recruitment notice. Arduous fitness (WCT-Pack Test) will consist of completing a three-mile hike, within 45 minutes, while carrying a 45 pound pack. NOTE: Arduous Work Capacity Test

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement11/29/2024 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience.

Selective Factors: The applicant must have possessed all the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position:

  1. Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5)
  2. Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1)
  3. Firing Boss (FIRB),
  4. and UAS Incident Operations (UASP)
-AND-
The applicant must possess all the following Remote Pilot Certifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position:
  1. FAA Part 107 (Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Certification
  2. OAS Carded - DOI Pilot (A-450 Basic Remote Pilot),
  3. ELOS/BVLOS (A-456)
  4. UAS Aerial Ignition - OAS 3OU Carding (Qualified or Trainee)
-AND-

This position is covered by the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) as a Primary/Rigorous Firefighter. Applicants must be 18 years of age, but not have reached their 37th birthday by the closing date of this announcement. These positions are covered by the special enhanced annuity retirement provisions for Federal Firefighters and Law Enforcement officers and have a mandatory retirement age of 57. Two exceptions are allowed: 1) an applicant has prior Federal service in documented special retirement covered position(s) sufficient to count toward 20 years of covered service on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57; or 2) an applicant is a qualified veterans' preference eligible, in which case the MEA is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service. Applicants must submit proof of their previous and/or current status in the Fire Fighter or Law Enforcement special enhanced annuity retirement system.

-AND-

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for Technical and Medical Support Positions and Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0456: Wildland Firefighter Series).
In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional experience are required for the GS-0456 08 Wildland Firefighter (UAS Assistant Module Leader): One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position and must have included work in or directly related to forest or range fire control, prevention or suppression. For this position, examples of such work are: 1), Leading and participating in Wildland fire activities (such as planning and/or implementing prescribed fire or managing wildfires) to ensure resource objectives can be met from a fire management standpoint. 2), Developing and/or implementing initial attack incident management strategies and tactics to meet the stated resource objectives. 3), Implementing mitigation measures during wildland fire activities to protect sensitive habitats, endangered species, sensitive plants, or cultural values.

NOTE: If your firefighting experience includes both structural and wildland, it is essential that your application materials clearly separate and document your wildland experience.

Volunteer Experience: 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.

Education

There is no educational qualifications for the GS-0456 Wildland Firefighter occupational series at the GS-08 grade level.

Additional Information:
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Pay rates vary depending on location, the salary shown is for the "Rest of the U.S." See OPM.gov for additional information on pay rates: Click here for the OPM Salaries and Wages to calculate locality pay.

Redding, California - SALARY TABLE 2024-RUS (opm.gov)
Three Rivers, California - SALARY TABLE 2024-FN (opm.gov)
Boulder City, Nevada - SALARY TABLE 2024-LV (opm.gov)

Additional information

This notice is being issued to recruit personnel to occupations for which a critical hiring need has been identified. To assist in filling these positions, OPM has granted the Department of the Interior "Direct Hire Authority".

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR §575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.

Physical Demands: Work is primarily sedentary, although it does require frequent travel by scheduled and chartered aircraft or ground vehicles to various destinations in the U.S. Occasionally the incumbent must travel by foot to remote field locations to conduct technical investigations and site visits. During the field season, the position demands extended, and variable work shifts and on-call status while away from work. Incumbent must meet the established physical fitness standards for their ICS position. Operations are conducted in rugged terrain and in the wildland fire environment with little or no logistical support. Duty hours on incident assignments can be up to 16 hours per day. Fieldwork requires prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting, and carrying of items weighing up to 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity. Other assignments are performed in an office or classroom environment which involves minimal risk or discomfort and requires normal safety precautions.

Working Conditions: The work is divided between field and office activities. The fieldwork is performed at remote locations on incidents and remote environments of temperature extremes, rough terrain, and reduced visibility. Due to the mission requirements of low-level UAS flights in mountainous terrain and all hazard flight operations, the incumbent is exposed to substantial hazards on a regular and recurring basis in the field.

The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) OR Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF50 noting position, grade level, duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For Information on CTAP and ICTAP visit: Career Transition (opm.gov)

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Applicants will be evaluated based on how well they meet the qualification requirements.

Upon receipt of the completed application package, a review of the application will be made to ensure basic qualification requirements are met.

This vacancy will be filled through DOI's Direct Hire Authority. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to positions filled under this Authority. All qualified applicants, as determined by the SHRO, will be referred for consideration. While managers and supervisors are not required to conduct interviews, it is highly recommended that they do so in order to assess the competencies of each applicant.

If an applicant's resume is incomplete or does not support the requirements for minimum qualifications or specialized experience a rating of "ineligible" or "not qualified" will be applied and no consideration for employment will be granted.

If a determination is made that an applicant has inflated qualifications or experience on the resume, the employee will receive no consideration for the position, as per OPM regulations.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/29/2024:

  1. Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, dates specified in month and year format, and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
  2. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) - If you are applying under CTAP and ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.
  3. Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other equivalent documentation which reflects completion of the required NWCG qualifications for this position.
  4. If a qualified veteran preference eligible as applicable to the Selective Factor Maximum Entry Age (MEA) under the Qualifications Section above: Qualified Veterans Preference Documentation that you meet Exception #2 under MEA:
      1. If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
      2. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
      3. If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
  5. Other Supporting Documents
  6. Documentation that you meet Selective Factors.
  7. College transcripts are required if qualifying on education.

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.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

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

To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/29/2024. You must provide documentation to support your claim for each eligibility selected. Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibilities language to ensure you submit the appropriate information. Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
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Agency contact information

NPS Fire-SPARK Office
Address
Fire and Aviation, DOI Regions 8, 9, 10 and 12
Interim Office NPS PWRO
909 First Street Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98104
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the qualified candidates, your name will be referred to the hiring official, and you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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