Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Branch Chief - Fuels & Planning)

Summary This position is a Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Branch Chief - Fuels & Planning), GW-0456-13 located within the Department of the Interior, US Wildland Fire Service, Eastern Area Program Office. The official duty location will be based on the selectee. In order to be considered for any of the advertised duty locations, ensure desired locations are selected. Applicants will not be considered for locations not selected. Responsibilities The major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Supervise and develop staff by planning workloads, setting priorities, managing performance, supporting employee development, and ensuring accomplishment of organizational goals. Provides technical planning and program oversight by leading complex projects, integrating scientific and operational information, and recommending improvements to resource management and organizational effectiveness. Coordinates policy implementation and partnerships by collaborating with Federal, Tribal, state, local, and interagency partners to ensure consistent program execution. Evaluates program accomplishments, identifies emerging issues, recommends corrective actions, and develops process improvements that enhance program effectiveness, workforce development, and strategic initiatives. Leads strategic planning for wildland fire management programs by developing long-range goals, priorities, implementation strategies, and performance measures aligned with agency objectives. 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 western U.S. Occasionally the incumbent must travel by foot to remote field locations to conduct technical investigations and site visits. During fire season, the position demands extended, and variable work shifts and on-call status while away from work. Work Environment - Most work is performed in an office or meeting room setting; occasionally exposure to risk or discomfort is encountered while conducting visits to the field due to extreme temperatures, topography, and remote living conditions. While on incident assignments, the incumbent may be exposed to temperature extremes, dust, smoke, noise, rugged topography, high-risk flight in fixed or rotor wing aircraft, extended outdoor living and high-stress emergency activities. Salary Information GW-13 $112,824 per annum. - $172,846 per annum. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the lower salary range of the grade level. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination. This position requires completion of a one year supervisory/managerial probationary period, if one has not previously been completed. Direct Deposit participation required. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify registration with the Selective Service system, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. Prior to appointment, the selectee will be required to take and pass, at Federal expense: a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use. From thereon, the incumbent may be subject to random drug testing. Selectee must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine if they are maintaining the fitness standards for this position. Pass the work capacity test for arduous positions. Must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position. Subject to frequent extended travel, particularly during fire season. Complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of 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 or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Applicants must have documented prior primary firefighting experience, with substantial service defined as either: At least one full fire season working in a primary wildland firefighting role (e.g., Engine Crew, Fire Effects Crew, Prescribed Fire/Fuels Crew, Hand Crew, Helitack Crew, Hotshot Crew, Smokejumper, Wildland Fire Modules or Fire Suppression Crews, etc.) with a federal, state, tribal, local, or private-sector organization; - OR - At least 14 days of on-the-ground fire line experience (cumulative or consecutive). Prior primary wildland fire experience must be clearly documented in your resume. Note: an IQCS Master Record or equivalent document will not be used to determine or calculate prior primary wildland fire experience eligibility for this requirement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. Please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. In addition to the requirements described above, you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below. Minimum Qualification for GW-0456-13 Applicants must meet the following to qualify for the GS/GW-13 level: One year of specialized experience in or directly related to this position that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. To be creditable, the required specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS/GW-12 level in the Federal service. Examples of GS/GW-12 level work may include but are not limited to: Applying comprehensive knowledge of wildland fire management principles, policies, and procedures to plan, implement, coordinate, and evaluate one or more fire management program areas. Experience analyzing program performance, interpreting policy, coordinating with partners, and providing technical guidance to support organizational objectives. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Merit Promotion candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Education IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: There is not an option to qualify for the 0456 series utilizing education at the GW-13 level. Additional Information The Eastern Area Program Office has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster. This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.