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Form of workExplore 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 1 position(s) at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.
This position requires a special qualification that has 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 factor(s) will be rated not qualified:
- SPF #1: Prior Smokejumping Experience Required
- Prior smokejumping experience required. This experience must be documented with specific dates in the online application or resume.
- SPF #2: FAA Certified Senior or Master Rigger
- SPF #3:Maximum Entry Age
- This position is a Primary Firefighter position and is subject to a maximum entry age (MEA).The MEA is the date immediately preceding your 37th birthday. Applicants must not have reached age 37 at the time of appointment, unless proof is provided for prior Federal service in another primary covered position, OR proof of land management workforce flexibility act (LMWFA) eligibility (see required documents section for more information on proof for LMWFA), OR you are a preference eligible veteran. If you meet any of the previous exemptions to MEA you must provide the required documents.
In order to be rated as minimally 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. Failure to provide required information on resume could result in ineligibility for consideration.
To qualify for the GS-08 grade level, 1 year of creditable specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 is required. Examples of work experience include but are not limited to: Forest or range fire control, prevention or suppression. Experience utilizing technical skills as related to smokejumper operations. Experience with loft operations, paracargo operations, aircraft operations, and fire suppression and management. Experience with loft equipment, sewing, sewing machines, materials, blueprints, and written instructions,
OR Two full years (36 semester hours) of graduate level education or a master's degree directly related to the work of a Forestry TechnicianOR an equivalent combination of specialized experience and education.
To qualify for the GS-09 grade level, 1 year of creditable specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: Forest or range fire control, prevention or suppression. Experience utilizing technical skills as related to smokejumper operations. Experience with loft operations, paracargo operations, aircraft operations, and fire suppression and management. Experience training new and existing employees on use of loft equipment, sewing, sewing machines, materials, blueprints, and written instructions. Supervisory/leadership experience in planning, organizing and assigning work to subordinates to meet workload accomplishments.
OR Two full years (36 semester hours) of graduate level education or a master's degree directly related to the work of a Forestry TechnicianOR an equivalent combination of specialized experience and education.
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 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.
For questions regarding this position, please contact the Boise Smokejumpers at 208-387-5426.
Work Environment:
The majority of work is performed outdoors in a wide variety of weather and terrain conditions or in a crowded airplane.
FIREFIGHTER SPECIAL RETIREMENT:
This is a primary fire position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). The position is subject to maximum entry age (MEA) requirements.
The MEA for this position shall not exceed age 37; unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian firefighter or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position on or after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement.
If over the MEA and you are not a Veteran, proof of prior covered service must be submitted prior to employment. Acceptable proof consists of SF-50s showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable appointments and copies of approved letters based on individual claims.
Incentives:
Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees. If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive or Student Loan Repayment.
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.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.
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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/
