Wildland Firefighter (Airtanker Base Ramp Manager)

Summary

These positions will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an Airtanker Base Ramp Manager. Responsibilities may include retardant mixing, loading into aircraft, and all activities on the ramp, including aircraft movement, and safety. Maintains airtanker base facilities, vehicles and equipment. See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION for Regional contacts.

Duties

• Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-07 level.
• Performs various technical airtanker-related duties such as operating or overseeing the use of specialized equipment used by an airtanker base, retardant mixing and delivery systems.
• Coordinates all movement of aircraft, vehicles and personnel on the ramp. Maintains the safety of ramp operations. Monitors and directs personnel (parking tenders, retardant loaders, fuel vendors and mechanics) in ramp operations.
• Provides flight information such as incident locations, heading and radio frequencies to aircrew. Briefs on hazards and conditions that may affect air operations.
• Serves as Project Inspector for the base's aviation and retardant contracts. Performs day-to-day contract inspections and enforces contractual provisions.
• Maintains Daily Flight Invoices, Contract Daily Diaries, retardant deliveries, total gallons used and all costs associated with the operation.
• Directs and participates in the maintenance of the base buildings, grounds, equipment and water systems.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify. Must be 18 years of age. This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice. Secondary Coverage: Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable). Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver's license; a commercial driver's license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued 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 your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GW-06: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GW-05 grade level in Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience may include: Assisted in providing facility maintenance, oversight and/or procedures for repairs and improvements; Assisted higher level personnel with contract preparation and/or administration; and Used specialized airtanker equipment and ensured equipment is in proper working order. For the GW-07: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GW-06 grade level in Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience may include: Assisted in the safe loading of fire retardant materials into airtankers; Provided facility maintenance, oversight and/or procurement for repairs and improvements; Assisted in administering aircraft and retardant contracts. 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. FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336 (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history. To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience. How You Will Be Evaluated

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position. Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given a new appointment. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13029641 Other Information

For additional information about the duties and location(s) of these positions, please contact regional representative: To see the different locations within the Regional Offices | US Forest Service (usda.gov) Region 1: Northern Region - Tiffany Counts at [email protected] Region 2: Rocky Mountain Region - Timothy Griffin at [email protected] Region 3: Southwestern Region - Tobe Haught at [email protected] Region 4: Intermountain Region - Bradley Bugger at [email protected] Region 5: Pacific Southwest Region - Brian Grabowski - [email protected] Region 6: Pacific Northwest Region - Shalyn Whitson [email protected] Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. These are permanent positions with varying tours of duty and may include weekend work. Some positions may have irregular and protracted hours of work. Tours of duty include full-time or less than full time (guaranteed minimum 13 pay periods full-time employment). The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates. Government housing and federal day care facilities may be available. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer. The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website. Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email [email protected] PROMOTION POTENTIAL: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied or guaranteed. Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE. This is dependent upon unit location.