Forestry Technician (Wildland Fire Operations Technician) - Direct Hire Authority

Summary
This position is located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Southern Plains Region, Division of Natural Resources, Branch of Forestry and Fire with the Duty Station in Shawnee, Oklahoma and will be filled from Standard PD No. FDI0230B/A.
This announcement will be used to fill vacancies utilizing the Direct-Hire Authority (5CFR 337.201). Category rating, veteran's preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do NOT apply for this vacancy.
This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency
ALL U.S. CITIZENS. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: These positions will be filled using Direct Hire Authority for this occupation. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.
Duties

• Provides oversight during initial and extended attack fires, directs fireline activities and tactics of dispersed firefighters, resources, equipment and aircraft
• Assigns missions to ground and aviation Wildland Fire suppression resources.
• Coordinates with the dispatch office regarding current fire behavior and fire conditions, release of resources, and other logistical considerations.
• Perform and supervise employees in fire prevention, preparedness, detection, resource rehabilitation, mobilization, prescribed fire, aviation operations, and training programs.
• Ensures preparedness of Wildland Fire suppression equipment and personnel.
• Conduct field reconnaissance of proposed prescribed burn units, make recommendations on appropriate treatment techniques for meeting management objectives, drafts prescribed burn plans to meet objectives and implements approved prescribed burn plans.
• Develop and revise interagency annual operating plans, annual budget requests, the fire management plan and operating procedures pertaining to preparedness, Wildland Fire suppression and prescribed fire.
• Plans and directs overall work to be accomplished by subordinate positions, sets and adjusts priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit
• You may be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
• If you are a male applicant born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
• This position requires the incumbent to possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
• This is a Testing Designated Position and is subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
• This position is subject to pre-employment and annual medical screening and physical fitness testing for arduous duty.

Qualifications
NOTE: This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard. This position has been categorized as a Wildland Fire Operations Specialist - Low Complexity, and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at http://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for Technical and Medical Support Positions and Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0462: Forestry Technician Series; and Interagency Fire Program Management Qualifications Standards and Guide; and Interagency Fire Program Management Qualifications Standards Guide)
GS-8: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 grade level in the Federal service with Forestry Technician work; forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work; performs oversight during initial attack and extended attack fires, directs fireline activities and tactics of firefighters, resources, equipment, and aircraft; conducts after action reviews; initiates share agreements for payment of expenses for individual incidents; ensures preparedness of Wildland Fire suppression equipment and personnel; assists in developing and revising interagency annual operating plans, annual budget requests, fire management plan and operating procedures pertaining to preparedness, Wildland Fire suppression and prescribed fire; coordinates Wildland Fire and aviation related training courses
GS-9: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-8 grade level in the Federal service in Forestry Technician work; forest or range fire control, prevention or suppression work; assigns missions to ground and aviation Wildland Fire suppression resources; makes effective use of multiple types of interagency Wildland Fire suppression resources with varying capabilities; participates in the development of incident objectives, strategies and tactics; serves on preparedness review teams; develops and prioritizes equipment and personnel funding requests; conducts field reconnaissance of proposed prescribed burn units; performs prescribed burn evaluation and completes documentation; assists in Wildland Fire management planning, coordination and implementation such as program coordination, contracting, fire rehabilitation planning and fire mitigation measures OR two (2) full years of graduate education in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter directly related to the position (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours).
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS: These are MANDATORY qualification prerequisites to qualify for this position. This position has been categorized as a Wildland Fire Operations Specialist (WFOS) - Low Complexity, therefore, the applicant must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position:

• Primary Core Qualification: Engine Boss (ENGB) or Crew Boss (CRWB) or Helicopter Manager (HMGB) or higher.
• Secondary Core Qualification: Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) or higher.
• Prior Wildland Firefighting Experience: This position requires a minimum of 90 days previous Wildland Firefighting experience which provided knowledge of the techniques, policies, and practices of Wildland Fire management. Wildland fires are categorized into two distinct types: 1) Wildfires - unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires; 2) Prescribed Fires - Planned ignitions. This description includes only fireline experience on a Prescribed Fire; it does not include experience in the planning stages.

NOTE: Selective factors are knowledges, skills, abilities, or special qualifications that are in addition to the minimum requirements in a qualification standard, but are determined to be essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Applicants who do not meet the selective factors are ineligible for further consideration. You MUST provide a current copy of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other agency equivalent documentation which verifies you meet the required NWCG qualifications for this IFPM position when submitting your application. Selectees for IFPM positions requiring currency will be required to obtain and maintain currency for the NWCG qualifications listed above.
FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This position is covered under the secondary/administrative firefighter special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c)(CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d)(FERS) when it is filled by an incumbent who transfers directly from a primary or another secondary law enforcement or firefighting position with no break in service to this position. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent will depend upon his or her individual work history. You may meet the qualification requirements, but not be eligible for special retirement coverage. If you are not eligible for special retirement coverage, you will be placed in the regular retirement system.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
If you are qualifying based on your education, you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
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.
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.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education which shows the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: FOREIGN EDUCATION
Additional information
Indian Preference Policy: Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC Section 472). Verification form BIA-4432 must be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference. No other documents will be accepted as proof of Indian Preference.
All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2023 Salary Tables here and select the duty station from Anadarko, Oklahoma to choose the appropriate pay chart. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart.
TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL BE AUTHORIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATIONS.
TELEWORK: Indian Affairs has determined that the duties of the position are suitable for SITUATIONAL telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
This position has been designated as an Incidental Operator under the Indian Affairs Motor Vehicle Safety Program and requires the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle in order to properly carry out his/her assigned duties but whose principal duties are not operating a motor vehicle and his/her position is not classified as a motor vehicle operator. The incumbent will be required annually to acknowledge and certify possession of a valid state driver's license.
The full performance level of this position is GS-9. Promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. A career ladder promotion is at the discretion of management, and in no way guaranteed.
This position has been designated as an Incidental Operator under the Indian Affairs Motor Vehicle Safety Program and requires the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle in order to properly carry out his/her assigned duties but whose principal duties are not operating a motor vehicle and his/her position is not classified as a motor vehicle operator. The incumbent will be required initially and annually to acknowledge and certify possession of a valid state driver's license.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) OR Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Programs provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF50 noting position, grade level, duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp
Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the closing date.

• Benefits
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  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 You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your resume will be evaluated after the closing date to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position described above.
Under this Direct-Hire announc...