Wildfire Research Imaging Specialist

Summary

Join the NIST Fire Research Division at the forefront of wildland-urban interface (WUI) fire safety innovation. As a Wildfire Research Imaging Specialist, you will deploy cutting-edge imaging technology onto active fire environments, including prescribed and experimental fires and large-scale laboratory experiments. Your visual data will capture unprecedented fire dynamics, powering scientific research, guiding engineering models, and informing the public through compelling visual storytelling.

Duties

NIST's Fire Research Division leads efforts to advance the science and practice of fire safety engineering, firefighting, fire investigation, fire testing, fire data management, and controlled burning. Within this division, the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Group conducts research to reduce fire hazards in WUI communities. Their research includes mission-related measurement science research and services to develop WUI fire risk exposure metrics, predict fire spread in WUI communities, assess the fire performance of structures and communities, and mitigate the effects of WUI fires on structures and communities through science-based codes and standards. As a Wildfire Research Imaging Specialist, you will: Capture active fire line visual data Perform optical system hardening and adaptation Conduct laboratory fire experimentation Curate data and visual communication products Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-10 level (or ZT-III at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as experience supporting robotics and laboratory operations, including Experience deploying specialized imaging systems within active fire environments, wildland firelines, or hazardous operational field sites to collect optical data on active flame fronts and thermal dynamics. Experience in engineering, building, or modifying custom optical instrumentation Experience in specialized scientific lighting techniques, such as sub-millisecond motion freezing (strobe bursts), dual-spectrum excitation lighting, barrier filtering, and real-time tethered digital image capture. Experience translating complex technological, physical, or environmental research into publication-ready visual assets for scientific documentation and high-impact public outreach. 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. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Education

Only specialized experience can qualify. How You Will Be Evaluated

Please prepare a resume that is no longer than two pages; only the first two pages will be considered during the review process. Ensure your font is 11 points or larger and upload your resume as a .pdf document. This helps ensure your formatting looks exactly the way you intended. How you will be evaluated: You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed in this announcement. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Subject Matter Experts may be used for qualification determinations. If the minimum qualifications and eligibility requirements are met, your application will be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions regarding your experience, education, training, performance appraisals, or awards relevant to the duties of the position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses in the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application. To preview the questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13080287 Rating: Applications will be assessed on the following competencies: Measurement and Instrumentation Mechanical Engineering Reliability and Dependability Technology Application Rule of Many Rating Procedures: Applicants are ranked in score order based on their assessment rating plus Veterans preference points, as applicable. All applicants with a score of 80 or higher, including Veterans preference points, will be referred to the hiring official. CTAP or ICTAP eligibility: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must submit proof of eligibility (See REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SECTION) and be determined eligible and rated as well-qualified to receive special selection priority. "Well Qualified" means that in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective placement factor(s), if applicable, you must receive a score of 85 or higher. Please review the following site regarding required documents to support CTAP or ICTAP eligibility and additional information regarding this authority - CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility Other Information

This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here! We may share your application package with other selecting officials. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy. Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions. You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position. All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations. A trial period may be required. This appointment may be extended up to four years without further competition. If the selection results in a temporary promotion, it can be extended not to exceed five years or made permanent without further competition. NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. For more information, please visit our Careers website.