Wildland Firefighter (Asst. Engine Capt) (Direct Hire Authority)

This position is located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in the Visitor and Resource Protection Division.

The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Great Smoky Mountains National Park is October

• May, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: ASAP

This is a Career-Seasonal position. Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis.

Selectee is guaranteed to work at least 6 months per year but not more than 50 weeks per year, with the work schedule determined upon appointment. Work schedule and periods of non-pay status are contingent upon funding and operational needs. On an annual basis, employee signs a "career-seasonal" agreement with the supervisor which defines the work schedule for that year.

After 90 days in this position, employee's work schedule may be changed to a permanent non-career seasonal position. In which case they will work 12 months per year.

Major Duties:

• Provide leadership as an Assistant Engine Captain in wildland fire suppression efforts while considering safety of crew and equipment.

• Accomplish fire management objectives in high complex, wildland urban interface environments.

• Perform wildland fire suppression, through preparedness, prevention, monitoring, hazardous fuel reduction, training, and prescribed fire.

• Perform structure assessments following USNPS National Fire Management Plan Framework.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement05/06/2024 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.

This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program management (IFPM) Standard. This position has been categorized as SEOP and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. For more information on IFPM, click here.

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:

• Single Resource Boss

• Engine (ENGB) (CURRENCY REQUIRED) And

• Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) (CURRENCY REQUIRED) And

• Completion of S-211 "Portable Pumps and Water Use" Course (CURRENCY REQUIRED)

• 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-0462: Forestry Technician Series).

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

To Qualify for GS-07

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the Federal service. Examples of qualifying specialized for this position is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position.

Examples of specialized experience include: Forestry aid or technician work; engineering, range, or soil conservation technician work that involved the application of cultural resource conservation, or land management practices on non-forest or ranch lands when combined with knowledge of forestry operations and equipment; farming or ranching work that involved application of cultural and soil and water conservation practices, including safety and use of equipment, and that provided a basic understanding of land use; or forest or range fire control, prevention, and suppression work. Assist on fire and resource management projects.

• OR-

One year of graduate level college education in a field directly related to range technician fire work such as a major study in forestry, fire science or a field directly related to this position that has equipped me with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of this position. A copy of your transcripts is required.

• OR-

Equivalent combination of specialized experience and education as described in the vacancy announcement to qualify for this position.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must submit a legible copy of your transcripts (A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected).

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.