Forestry Aid (Fire Suppression)

FOREST SERVICE

MANY vacancies in the following locations:

  •  Callahan, CA
  •  Cecilville, CA
  •  Fort Jones, CA
  •  Happy Camp, CA
  •  Klamath River, CA

More Locations (4)

Work Schedule is Full-Time – Temporary

Opened Friday 4/28/2017(3 day(s) ago)

 Closes Friday 5/5/2017(4 day(s) away)

  • Salary Range

    $12.53 to $12.53 / Per Hour

  • Series & Grade

    GS-0462-03/03

  • Promotion Potential

    03

  • Supervisory Status

    No

  • Who May Apply

    US Citizens and Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required

  • Control Number

    468711100

  • Job Announcement Number
  • 17-TEMPF-S5-0462-3FAFSUP-DT

Job Overview

Summary

A career with the Forest Service will challenge you to manage and care for more than 193 million acres of our nation’s most magnificent lands, conduct research through a network of forest and range experiment stations and the Forest Products Laboratory, and provide assistance to State and private forestry agencies.

It’s an awesome responsibility – but the rewards are as limitless as the views.

USDA is a great place to start or continue your career. USDA is ranked as one of the top 10 “Best Places to Work in the Federal Government” by the Partnership for Public Service (http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/rankings/overall/large). Rankings are based on employee feedback regarding satisfaction with their work experience.This position is temporary and has a Not-to-Exceed date. However, an extension of the appointment may be possible without further competition. The appointment may also end early due to lack of work or funds.

The position is located on a fire crew as a crewmember within the fire management organization.

The purpose of the position is wildland fire suppression/management/control, as a firefighter on an engine, hotshot, helitack or hand crew. Other wildland fire related duties might involve fire prevention, patrol, detection, or prescribed burning. The incumbent will also be involved with the maintenance and repair of firefighting tools equipment and facilities, and will receive firefighting training. 

This vacancy announcement is for one or more locations throughout Region 5 on the Klamath National Forest. The number and location of positions to be filled will be dependent upon individual unit needs.

For additional information about the duties of the position, please contact, Kip Van de Water, PH: 530-598-9354, eMail: kvandewater@fs.fed.us OR Katherine Lawson, PH: 971-207-5008, eMail: kelawson@fs.fed.us

TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT: Considerable travel may be required. Some positions involve work that requires travel away from the official duty location to remote worksites within commuting distance (49 miles).

Positions will be filled as a temporary appointment up to 6 months.

Hourly wage as shown is Rest of U.S. (RUS). Specific wage rate will vary by location and may be higher or lower than the amount shown on the vacancy announcement. http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/

The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career- Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.

Duties

Performs assignments to develop knowledge of fuels management and fire suppression techniques and practices such as fireline construction, use of pumps and engines, hose lays, foam and retardant, working around aircraft, safety rules, and fire and fuels terminology.

Searches out and extinguishes burning materials by moving dirt, applying water by hose or backpack pump, etc.

Moves dirt, chops brush, or fells small trees to build fireline using various hand tools such as axe, shovel, Pulaski, McLeod and power saws to control spreading wildland fire and to prepare lines prior to prescribed burning. Chops, carries and piles logging slash.

Patrols the fireline to locate and extinguish sparks, flareups, and hot spot fires that may threaten developed firelines.

Cleans, reconditions and stores fire tools and equipment.

May be assigned to other resource management activities such as recreation, timber, or reforestation when not performing fire suppression or fuels management duties.

Travel Required

  • Occasional Travel
  • Per Fire Assignments

Relocation Authorized

  • No

Job Requirements

Key Requirements

  • Position requires a Work Capacity Test (WCT).
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
  • Satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint check

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. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements.

GS-03: (6) Six months general experience.

General experience is defined as: Performed farm/ranch labor, such as feeding and tending livestock or general maintenance of farm/ranch facilities; Worked in a greenhouse or nursery moving, watering, and tending plants and performing other general labor tasks; Fed and watered animals, such as in a laboratory, pet store, or zoo; Any work experience, paid or unpaid. Unpaid experience, for example, may be regular volunteer work, such as at a park, community sports league facilities, etc.-OR

Successful completion of 1 year of study above high school that included at least 6 semester hours in a combination of courses such as range management or conservation, agriculture, forestry, wildlife management, engineering, biology, mathematics, or other natural or physical sciences. -OR

Completion of an intensive, specialized course of study of less than 1 year may meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. Courses of this type normally require completion of up to 40 hours per week of instruction rather than the usual 20 hours per week, and are usually of at least 3 months duration. Such courses may have been obtained through a variety of programs such as those offered by business or technical schools, and through military training programs. To be creditable, such a course must have been designed specifically as career preparation for the work of the position being filled, and must have provided the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work.-OR

A combination of education and experience listed above.

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

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.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

ARDUOUS FIRE POSITIONS: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be employed in a position performing hazardous duties. An initial pre-employment medical examination is required for arduous fire positions. Failure to meet any of the required medical qualifications will be considered disqualifying for employment.

WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS level is a “condition of employment.” The Arduous fitness (Pack) test requires completing a three (3) mile hike within forty-five (45) minutes, while carrying a forty-five (45) pound pack. You are strongly encouraged to consult with your physician and begin training immediately if applying for this position. This announcement constitutes the required 30 days advanced notice for testing requirements.

Security Clearance

Other