Forestry Technician (Smokejumper) Assistant Operations Manager

Selective Placement Factors (SPFs): This position requires special qualifications that have been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factors will be rated not qualified: SPF #1: Prior Smokejumping Experience Required: this must be documented with specific dates in the resume. SPF #2: FAA Certified Senior or Master Rigger. Specialized Experience: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the minimum qualification requirements – please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. For GS-09: To qualify for the GS-9 grade level, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-8 is required. Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is directly related to: performing aerial delivery of firefighting personnel and equipment into rugged terrain; coordinating logistical needs, and interfacing with management, cooperators, and the public; operating as an Initial Attack Incident Commander; instructing or independently directing work projects of crewmembers; management and supervision of smokejumper specific resources and operations; functioning as a FAA Senior or Master Parachute Rigger. – OR – Education: Master’s degree OR 2 years (36 semester hours) of graduate education which is DIRECTLY related to work of the position. – OR – Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. For GS-10: To qualify for the GS-10 grade level, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 is required. Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is directly related to: performing aerial delivery of firefighting personnel and equipment into rugged terrain; coordinating logistical needs, and interfacing with management, cooperators, and the public; operating as an Initial Attack Incident Commander; instructing or independently directing work projects of crewmembers; independently managing a remote smokejumper operation; functioning as a FAA Senior or Master Parachute Rigger. There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-10 level. 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. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level. If selected at the lower grade, subsequent promotion to the next grade level will be processed without further competition dependent upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties. Medical Requirements: Please see the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website for the Medical Standards for Smokejumper Positions: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/forestry-technician-series-0462/ Please see the Department of Interior Medical Standards Program website for the Federal Interagency Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for your position: http://www.nifc.gov/medical_standards/index.html Physical Requirements Employment in this position is conditional upon your successful completion of the following BLM smokejumper physical fitness performance tests: When you report for duty, you will be given a physical condition test. The test is given in one time period with a 5-minute break between exercises. The test consists of performing the following exercises: 30 push-ups 6 pull-ups Run 1.5 miles in 10.47 minutes or less OR backpacking a 110 pound load three miles in less than 65 minutes. Work Capacity Test at the Arduous Level: All arduous wildland firefighters must backpack a 45 pound load for three miles in 45 minutes or less. Physical Demands: The incumbent must be able to work under extreme physical exertion regularly working 16 hour shifts or longer on the fireline. Work on the fireline requires considerable strenuous physical exertion. Work Environment: Work is primarily in an office. Approximately 35 percent of the time is spent in the field. Firefighter Special Retirement (Secondary Coverage): This is a secondary/administrative fire position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age policy, the selectee must have prior service in a primary position and meet the transfer requirement for movement from a primary to secondary position to be eligible for special retirement coverage. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your SF-50). YOU MUST LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN A PRIMARY POSITION. THIS IS A DRUG TESTING DESIGNATED POSITION in accordance with Executive Order 12564, and under the Department’s Drug Free Workplace Program. Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use and to pass the test prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
Explore a new career with the BLM – where our people are our greatest natural resource. This position is located with the BLM Fire & Aviation Directorate, located at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), in Boise, Idaho. Information about the surrounding area can be found at https://www.boisechamber.org/ We expect to fill one (1) position at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.