Overview
Open & closing dates
09/26/2018 to 10/11/2018
Service
Competitive
Pay scale & grade
GS 5
Salary
$33,394 to $43,414 per year
Appointment type
Seasonal - / Permanent NTE 25 pay periods per year
Work schedule
Full-Time
Locations
1 vacancy in the following location:
Folkston, GA
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes Limited moving benefits area authorized (no temporary quarters, no house-hunting trip, no contract for home sale)
Telework eligible
No
This job is open to
The public
U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
U.S. Citizens
Announcement number
R4-18-10319260-DB-DEU
Control number
512177800
Duties
Summary
NOTE: This announcement is being advertised concurrently under R2-18-10319796-DB-MP for current and former federal employees serving under a competitive service career or career-conditional appointment or reinstatement eligible. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.
Responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY: This position is part of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and is responsible for wildland fire suppression/management/control. This is a permanent Seasonal position. You will be on a full-time, seasonal work schedule and can anticipate to work at least 13 pay period per year but may work up to a maximum of 25 pay periods if budget allows.
MAJOR DUTIES: include, but are not limited to:
* Actively participates in fire prevention, suppression, and prescribed burning.
* Performs fire prevention activities such as patrolling to gauge fire potential and occurrence, distributing literature explaining the fire prevention program to the public, and preparing fire reports.
* Instructs and provides on-the-job training to personnel in the use of wildland fire control equipment, methods, and safety procedures.
* Operates wildland fire engines weighing up to 18,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW). Operates engines over 18,000 pounds GVW in the absence of regularly assigned personnel.
* Assists in maintaining records of fire time and attendance work done by fire crews, and related activities.
RESPONSIBILITIES:* Work often requires physical exertion overseeing fire suppression activities including walking over rough, steep, uneven terrain in all weather.
* Field work performed in steep terrain uneven surfaces, rocky, or covered in thick vegetation.
* Temperatures are frequently extreme, both from weather and fire conditions where the presence of smoke and/or dust conditions are frequently severe.
* The incumbent is faced with emergency situations at all hours, long shifts or multi-day assignments.Travel Required
75% or less - Fuels projects and emergency travel
Supervisory status
No
Promotion Potential
None
Job family (Series)
Requirements
Conditions Of Employment
Must be a U.S. Citizen
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
Drug testing position
This is an arduous position and subject to medical and physical fitness testing
Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform required
May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
Must meet maximum entry age requirements
Must possess a valid state driver's license and have the ability to operate light vehicles and 4X4s
May require a Commercial Driver's License to operate motor vehicles
The duties of this position are so rigorous that employment is limited to young and physically vigorous individuals who must meet established age and physical qualification requirements
The position is covered for special FF retirement provisions.
This is a permanent, seasonal position. The incumbent will be in work/pay status for a specified time period each year and will be placed in non-pay status for the remainder of the year
The employee will be required to work a non-standard tour of duty which may include weekends, holidays, and night shifts
Must be able to frequently lift and carry parts and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally over 75 pounds
As a condition of employment, you must pass a strenuous physical performance test. Failure to pass will result in your disqualification for this position.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
All applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualification Requirements. Please note that in determining your qualifications, your answers will be verified against the information you provide in your resume and transcripts. Therefore, your response MUST be supported in your resume. If your resume does not CLEARLY support your response, you will be determined as not qualified for this position. In addition, your transcripts MUST show your university information, degree enrolled, and coursework as well as the degree you were awarded and the date this degree was conferred (if applicable). A list of coursework with no identifying university or degree information will not be accepted.
A. Have one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 in the Federal service. Specialized experience must include: (1) Serving as a skilled member of a fire or engine crew, participating in fire prevention, suppression, and prescribed burning; (2) Preparing fire reports; (3) instructing and providing on-the-job training to lower level fire technicians; (4) dispatching fire personnel, supplies and equipment; (5) operating wildland fire; (6) maintaining records of fire time and attendance work done by fire crews.
B. Have successfully completed a full 4 year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree or higher (A) with major study forestry, agriculture, range management, agriculture, or a subject directly related to this position; or
C. Have successfully completed a full 4 year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree or higher that included 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable.
D. Have an appropriate combination of the education and experience listed above that equals 100%.
SELECTIVE FACTORS:
In addition to the Minimum Qualification Requirements listed above, to be considered eligible, all applicants must have the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualification and training requirements:
A. Have held or currently hold the NWCG qualification Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), or higher; AND
B. Have successfully completed the NWCG course S-290 "Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior" course
NOTE: You MUST submit your IQCS Master Record or other equivalent documentation which verifies you meet this required NWCG qualification and training. Failure to provide this documentation will result in your being rated as not qualified for this position.
MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE:
This position is covered under the special firefighter retirement provisions. Applicants for this position must not have reached their 37th birthday upon appointment. An exception is allowed if there is prior Federal service in a covered law enforcement or firefighter position and this prior service is sufficient to permit retirement on, or before, the mandatory retirement age for these types of positions. NOTE: If you are claiming previously covered Federal service or veterans' preference, you MUST submit copies of the documentation required below. You will NOT be considered as meeting the Maximum Entry Age requirements if you do not submit this required documentation.
A. I am under the age of 37.
B. I am 37 years of age or older with prior federal service in a covered law enforcement or firefighter position and the prior service is sufficient to permit retirement on, or before, the mandatory retirement age for these types of positions. NOTE: You MUST submit copies of ALL SF-50s showing beginning and ending dates of your covered Federal service and hours per week or you will not be considered as meeting the Maximum Entry Age requirements for this position.
C. I am age of 37 years of age and older and not currently in a special retirement position. However, I would qualify as a veterans' preference eligible. NOTE: You MUST submit the necessary documentation to support this claim (the Member-4 copy of your DD-214 showing your dates of service and an Honorable Discharge; your VA letter showing your percentage of disability; and your SF-15). You will not be considered under this option if you do not submit this required documentation.
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.
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this position will be considered.Education
PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.
PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.htmlAdditional information
SELECTIVE SERVICE: To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx
TELEWORK: This position is not eligible for telework.
RELOCATION EXPENSES: Limited moving benefits area authorized (no temporary quarters, no house-hunting trip, no contract for home sale)
NOTE: We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of 10/11/2018; OR More than one position may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO APPLY ONLINE: If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.
CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CTAP) or INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ICTAP): These programs apply ONLY to Federal employees who have been or may be involuntarily separated (e.g. reduction in force, declining to relocate/transfer outside their local commuting area) from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal or Removal Notice; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; or Removal and most recent performance appraisal.). For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
VETERANS: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit the Member Copy 4 copy of your DD-214 showing your military service that that you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach the Member Copy 4 copy of your DD-214 showing your military service and that you were honorably discharged as well as a SF-15," Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" along with your Department of Veterans Affairs letter stating % of disability.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: Firefighting is extremely arduous and hazardous. The work requires strenuous physical exertion, including carrying heavy objects, walking, climbing, bending, stooping, hacking through underbrush and using heavy tools for long periods of time. Most work is performed outdoors ina forest and/or rangeland setting. Terrain ranges from flat and swampy to seep and rock and is often covered with thick, tangled vegetation or various trees and grasses. Temperature extremes, smoke, and dust are frequently severe. The hazardous nature of the work requires the u se of protective gear and closing (boots, hard hat, nomex closing, gloves, etc.). This work is typically performed in isolated locations, which are often away from roads and water sources; camping is necessary for extended periods of time.How You Will Be Evaluated
Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and transcripts will be used to determine whether you meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements, your resume and transcripts will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. Therefore, your resume MUST support and clearly show your responses to the assessment questions. And your transcripts MUST show the coursework you have completed as well as the degree you were awarded and the date this degree was conferred (if applicable). A list of coursework without any identifiable college or degree information will be not accepted. If, after reviewing your resume and transcripts, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
(1) Knowledge of fire behavior including causes of wildland fire, influence of temperature, humidity, wind, topography, slope and fuel moisture conditions, and fuels in order to know where to attack the fire, build fire line, where to be positioned to manage a wildland fire, and to identify hazards
(2) Knowledge of accepted fire practices and procedures to prevent injury and loss of life
(3) Skill in oral communication sufficient to effectively interact with people at all levels, internal and external to the organization, including the public
(4) Knowledge of policies and procedures concerning fire management, safety, vehicle and equipment utilization, procurement, communications, training, and personnel
(5) Skill in use of hand tools such as Pulaskis, shovels, McLeods; as well as power tools including chainsaws and portable pumps to build fire line, control wildland fire, and maintain specialized fire equipment
All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category ratings for this position are: Best Qualified, Well Qualified; Qualified. The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. This means that veterans with preference will be referred over non-veterans per rating category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and Selective Factors and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).Background checks and security clearance
Security clearance
Drug test required
No
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
Resume or Application. At a minimum, your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month/day/year), hours worked per week, and salary. If you do not include this information, we may not be able to qualify you for this position. Your resume must also clearly show the responses you choose under Minimum Qualification Requirements and the Assessment Questionnaire or you may be determined to be not qualified for this position or you may be placed in a lower rating category. USAJOBS has a template to ensure a complete resume. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk
Other supporting documents:
Cover Letter, optional
Official or unofficial College Transcript(s), if the position has education requirements, or if you are using your education to qualify. NOTE: To be considered, your transcripts MUST show your coursework as well as the degree awarded and the date this degree was conferred (if applicable). If you claim that you are qualified for this position based, in whole or part on education, and you do not submit transcripts or your transcripts do not include the required information, your education will not be used in making a qualification determination and you may be found "not qualified". NOTE: A list of coursework without any identifying college or degree information will not be considered. A copy of your final, official transcripts will be required if you are selected. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the transcripts from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See: https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx. Also see the "Education" section of this announcement for what documentation is required if your education is from a foreign institute.
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable. You must provide the Member 4 copy of your DD-214 showing your military service and honorable discharge; your SF-15 Form; and your Department of Veterans Affairs letter stating % of disability.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) / Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
IQCS Master Record. You MUST submit your IQCS Master Record or other equivalent documentation which verifies you meet the mandatory NWCG qualification and training (Selective Factors) as well as shows your additional training. Failure to provide this documentation will result in your being rated as not qualified for this position.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How to Apply
Resume or Application. At a minimum, your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month/day/year), hours worked per week, and salary. If you do not include this information, we may not be able to qualify you for this position. Your resume must also clearly show the responses you choose under Minimum Qualification Requirements and the Assessment Questionnaire or you may be determined to be not qualified for this position or you may be placed in a lower rating category. USAJOBS has a template to ensure a complete resume.USAJOBS has a template to ensure a complete resume.
Online Application and Assessment Questionnaire. You must also complete the online application and assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
DEADLINE DATE: A complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/11/2018 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is received. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To view the assessment questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10319260
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.