Forestry Technician

Duties

Serves as a full assistant to the Handcrew Supervisor in the technical and administrative supervision of a work force of a 10 to 20 person.

Uses technical equipment such as programmable two way radios, GPS units, weather monitoring equipment, computers for accessing fire weather, fire modeling and mapping programs. Assists in the technical decisions and implementing appropriate strategy and tactics.

Participates in the planning and implementing work activities such as setting priorities, identifying objectives, coordinating resources, vehicles, supplies and equipment, developing job hazard analysis, and conducting job skill training.

Recognizes, reacts to and communicates changes in predicted weather and fire behavior, topography and fuel types, and adapts planned strategies and tactics to identify and locate firelines, escape routes and safety zones.

Works with other resource managers in the development and implementation of prescribed burn plans. Participates with the supervisor in developing and implementing training programs (mandatory, formal and informal) to comply with policy and regulations and to develop and implement a comprehensive physical training program.

Qualifications

You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements.

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.

GS-07: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level; or one year of graduate level education in a position-related field of forestry or natural resources management; or combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Examples of specialized experience are: recognized, reacted to, and communicated changes in predicted weather and fire behavior, topography and fuel types, and adapted planned strategies and tactics to identify and relocate firelines, escape routes, and safety zones; served as a crew leader for a small fire crew responsible for the suppression of wildland fires and/or fuels management duties; conducted initial evaluation of fire situation and determined suppression method to use; and conducted formal training in the techniques of fire suppression and prescribed burning.

Selective Placement Factors:

• Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement -OR- eligible under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, older than 37, and requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement.
• Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1).
• Successfully completed the Secondary NWCG Core Requirement of Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5).

In order to be considered for this position, copies of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training documents) which contain documented proof of the certification or attainment of the IFPM Selective Placement Factor for this position MUST be attached to your application. Currency Requirement: Required to maintain currency once hired into the position. Currency of NWCG qualifications is not required for selection. If not currently qualified, the applicant must provide documented evidence that they have been fully qualified in the past, and are able to regain currency within one year of being hired. Failure to provide this documentation will result in disqualification. Red cards are not acceptable documentation.

To receive consideration for this position, you must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.