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Wildland Firefighter - Helitack
National Park Service     Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
 Posted 13 days    

Summary This is a Public Notice for positions being filled under the Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) for Wildland Fire. Under this recruitment procedure applications will be accepted for each location identified in this Public Notice. Veterans' Preference is not applicable to this announcement. To learn more about Direct-Hire Authority, go to: OPM.GOV Hiring Information - DHA. For contacts and information regarding housing availability visit Fire Contacts on the DOI FIRES Jobs website and select Arizona. Responsibilities The National Park Service (NPS) is looking for temporary employees to work on Helitack (helicopter) crews in Grand Canyon, AZ (Grand Canyon NP). For more information on Crew Types, click here. A Wildland Firefighter (GS-04) is a trained wildland firefighter on a helitack crew. Loads helicopters, determines weight calculations, completes crew manifest and access remote areas by helicopter to construct helispots, or to attack small fires, hot spots, and spot fires. May be assigned to carry out specialized assignments such as tree falling, backfire, and burnout operations; utilizes a variety of specialized tools, equipment and techniques while actively managing wildfires. May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s. A Wildland Firefighter (GS-05) is a trained and experienced wildland firefighter on a helitack crew. Loads helicopter personnel and cargo considering methods, weight distribution, necessity for securing, total weights, etc. and completes manifests of personnel and equipment being transported to the fire or other work site. May exit helicopter in remote areas to construct helispots, or to attack small fires, hot spots, and spot fires. Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents. May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s. For more information about temporary fire positions with DOI, go to the following link: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/. Requirements Conditions of Employment SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. To register or verify your registration, go to the Selective Service System website. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Failure to satisfy the background check will result in cancellation of offer of employment or may be grounds for termination. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/TESTING: You must pass an initial pre-employment physical examination and must be able to pass the work capacity fitness test (must carry a 45 lb pack for 3 miles within 45 minutes). Failure to meet any of the required medical qualifications will disqualify you for employment. Any condition, which would cause you to be a hazard to yourself or to others, will disqualify you for employment. DRUG TESTING: Positions require a mandatory pre-employment drug test. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. The drug test will be provided at Government direction and expense. Once hired, employees are also subject to random drug testing during employment. This is in accordance with Executive Order 12564 and under the Department's Drug Free Workplace Program. Positions may require a valid state driver's license. Some positions may require a CDL; information will be provided at job offer. You must be 18 years of age or older at the time of appointment. All positions have medical qualification requirements. Qualifications Hours worked per week must be stated for each season and position held in your resume. ***Experience listed will need to include specific duties about the work being performed and should not be only the general language stated below in the examples. To qualify for a GS-04 You must meet at least one of the following: 1). Six months of general work experience, which can be any work experience AND 6 months of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-03 level duties. Examples of specialized work experience may include the following: Wildland Fire Suppression such as digging hand line, building or patrolling fireline, suppressing spot fires, mopping up fires, hose lays, connecting buckets to drop water or retardant during firefighting operations, etc. Wildland Fuels Management such as prescribed burning, clearing up burned areas within fireline, felling snags or trees and/or cutting brush around fireline, collecting fuel loads, etc. Monitoring Wildland Fire such as weather, topography, smoke, fire effects, fire behavior, fire location, collect and record fire related data, etc. Wildland Fire Preparedness such as maintains fire tools and equipment - Pulaski's, shovels, McLeods, chainsaws, fire hose, pumps, drip torches, power equipment, vehicles, radios, etc. -OR- 2). 2-year course of study above high school, from an accredited college or university, in Wildland Fire Training, Wildland Fire Science, Wildland Fire Technology or in other related fields which included at least 12 semester hours of coursework such as forestry, range management or conservation, or natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography). -OR- 3). A combination of the education and work experience described above. To qualify for a GS-05 You must meet at least one of the following: 1). One year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-04 level duties. Examples of specialized work experience include: On-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention or suppression work as a skilled wildland firefighter, utilizing a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment. -OR- 2). 4- year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree, from an accredited college or university, in Wildland Fire Science, Wildland Fire Training, Wildland Fire Technology or other related fields which included 24 semester hours of coursework such as forestry, range management or conservation, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography). -OR- 3). A combination of education and specialized work experience described above. Selective Factors for GS-05: In addition to the basic qualifications listed above, you must possess the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training to be considered eligible. 1. Helicopter Crew Member (HECM) You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Physical Demands: Arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity. Work Environment: Forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor bivouac and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances. Firefighters may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (e.g., boots, hard hat, gloves, flame resistant clothing). Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft. Education Additional Information Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS). If you have held one or more temporary seasonal appointments in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment of 1040 hours during that period, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility for next year. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. For more information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well-qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Temporary employees hired in wildland fire or wildland fire support positions are eligible for the following: -Annual, sick leave, and paid federal holidays -Depending on tour of duty - Sunday, holiday, shift differential and/or hazard pay -Participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program - Employees electing to participate in the FEHB will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency roles, which is deducted from bi-weekly earnings. After separating from federal employment, employees will be offered to continue participation in FEHB under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) option. Employees electing to continue coverage under the TCC provision will be responsible for the full premium amount plus a 2% administration fee. A supplemental pay increase of $20,000 or 50% of base pay per year, is authorized under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as long as funding is available.

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Job Details


Employment Type

Full Time

Number of openings

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