What are the responsibilities and job description for the Wildland Firefighter - Direct Hire Authority. position at Bureau of Indian Affairs?
Duties
Conditions of Employment
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
To Qualify for the GS-12 grade level you must meet the following:
One (1) year of specialized wildland fire work experience equivalent to GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience: work involving managing a Fire Program Management. Financial management, project planning, and workforce development. Developing Cooperative Agreements and Annual Operating Plans (AOPs) with federal, state, and local agencies, enhancing interagency collaboration and resource sharing. Participation in committees and interdisciplinary teams, fire management planning and implementation of unit prevention or risk assessment management programs.
Operational experience in fire suppression and prescribed fire activities, managing and supervising initial attack modules, with engines, crews, and/or aviation resources, trains, certifies, and prepares personnel for wildland fire operations and prescribed fire implementation. Develops effective strategies and treatments in fire behavior, designing fuels treatments, overseeing mechanical fuels treatments, budgeting, and expenditure tracking.
Conducting comprehensive safety and risk assessments for all projects and ensuring appropriate risk mitigation measures are in place. Maintains qualification standards for all Incident Command System (ICS) positions and coordinates training for fire personnel. Conducts equipment and facilities inspections, maintains safe operational resources, and actively participates in community and interagency collaborations for safe fire management operations.
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: These are MANDATORY qualification prerequisites to qualify for this position. This position is one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard categorized as a Unit Fire Program Manager (UFPM) - Moderate Complexity and requires the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position:
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.
FERS TRANSITION REQUIREMENT: To be eligible for Secondary retirement coverage under FERS, an employee must: 1) transfer directly (without a break in service exceeding 3 days) from a primary position to a secondary position, AND 2) complete 3 years of service in a primary rigorous position including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld, AND 3) must be continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a primary rigorous position, except for any break in employment from a secondary position that began with involuntary separation (not for cause).
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your special retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your work history or other documentation that demonstrates work history of approved covered positions).
You must let this office know if you are in a Primary coverage position.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the closing date.
Physical Demands
The work is primarily sedentary, however, some physical exertion related to site visitations and fire line assignments is required. Walking on rough, uneven terrain, long periods of standing, and exposure to extreme heat, smoke, and temperatures is required.
Working Conditions: Work is normally performed in an office setting. During the wildland fire season, field work may involve high risk exposure to potentially dangerous situating or stress. The above work environment involves occasional exposure to moderate risks and discomforts which usually require protective equipment to be worn. A range of safety and other precautions are required. Exposure to risks such as wildfire, heat, smoke, falling rocks and trees, etc., are a part of the job during wildland fire season. Work may require flying in small fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Incumbent will adhere to all safety rules and regulating as prescribed in manuals/supplements or by the designated Safety Officer.
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
NOTE: The salaries listed in this announcement reflect the permanent pay increases for federal and tribal wildland firefighters, effective March 23, 2025. In addition to the listed base salary, firefighters are eligible for Incident Response Premium Pay when deployed to a qualifying incident, which may significantly increase overall compensation. Salaries may be adjusted for individuals onboarding on or before 4/14/25 once the updated GW pay schedule is finalized. The new pay schedule will be accessible here once released:
TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES MAY BE AUTHORIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATIONS.
TELEWORK: Indian Affairs has determined that the duties of the position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
This is a supervisory position. Under provision of the Civil Service Reform Act, first-time supervisors are required to serve a one-year supervisory probationary period before their appointment becomes final. Those who do not satisfactorily complete this probationary period will be returned to positions of no lower grade and pay than those they occupied before assuming their supervisory assignment.
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:
This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see USA Jobs
- Serve as a regional technical expert/authority providing guidance, advice and support for policy interpretation and implementation to fire management agencies, and in resource need forecasting and allocation.
- Provides strategic long-range planning, leadership, guidance, coordination, and evaluation for regional/state wildland fire and aviation programs.
- Assists in the formulation of annual program budgets, regional/state accomplishment narratives, recommends programmatic proposals, and record keeping of program budget.
- Implements and coordinates wildland fire protection programs on the public and Indian trust lands administered by the Bureau.
- Analyzes and assesses existing Departmental and Bureau policy and procedures to evaluate overall effectiveness in meeting Bureau objectives at the regional and/or state level.
- Serves as a senior technical expert and provides high level technical guidance on wildland fire and aviation management activities.
- Exercises delegated supervisory authorities and responsibilities 15% of the time. Plan, assign and evaluate work to be accomplished by subordinates; and approves leave.
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship Required
- Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
- 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 has been designated as an Incidental Operator under the Indian Affairs Motor Vehicle Safety Program, therefore, the incumbent will be required annually to acknowledge and certify possession of a valid state driver's license.
- This position is subject to pre-employment and annual medical screening and physical fitness testing for employment purposes.
- 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.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
To Qualify for the GS-12 grade level you must meet the following:
One (1) year of specialized wildland fire work experience equivalent to GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience: work involving managing a Fire Program Management. Financial management, project planning, and workforce development. Developing Cooperative Agreements and Annual Operating Plans (AOPs) with federal, state, and local agencies, enhancing interagency collaboration and resource sharing. Participation in committees and interdisciplinary teams, fire management planning and implementation of unit prevention or risk assessment management programs.
Operational experience in fire suppression and prescribed fire activities, managing and supervising initial attack modules, with engines, crews, and/or aviation resources, trains, certifies, and prepares personnel for wildland fire operations and prescribed fire implementation. Develops effective strategies and treatments in fire behavior, designing fuels treatments, overseeing mechanical fuels treatments, budgeting, and expenditure tracking.
Conducting comprehensive safety and risk assessments for all projects and ensuring appropriate risk mitigation measures are in place. Maintains qualification standards for all Incident Command System (ICS) positions and coordinates training for fire personnel. Conducts equipment and facilities inspections, maintains safe operational resources, and actively participates in community and interagency collaborations for safe fire management operations.
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: These are MANDATORY qualification prerequisites to qualify for this position. This position is one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard categorized as a Unit Fire Program Manager (UFPM) - Moderate Complexity and requires the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position:
- Pathway #1: Task Force Leader (TFLD) and Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2) or higher and Required Training Course M-581 - Fire Program Management
- Pathway #2: Helibase Manager Type 1 (HEB1) and Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) or higher and Required Training Course M-581 - Fire Program Management
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.
FERS TRANSITION REQUIREMENT: To be eligible for Secondary retirement coverage under FERS, an employee must: 1) transfer directly (without a break in service exceeding 3 days) from a primary position to a secondary position, AND 2) complete 3 years of service in a primary rigorous position including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld, AND 3) must be continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a primary rigorous position, except for any break in employment from a secondary position that began with involuntary separation (not for cause).
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your special retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your work history or other documentation that demonstrates work history of approved covered positions).
You must let this office know if you are in a Primary coverage position.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the closing date.
Physical Demands
The work is primarily sedentary, however, some physical exertion related to site visitations and fire line assignments is required. Walking on rough, uneven terrain, long periods of standing, and exposure to extreme heat, smoke, and temperatures is required.
Working Conditions: Work is normally performed in an office setting. During the wildland fire season, field work may involve high risk exposure to potentially dangerous situating or stress. The above work environment involves occasional exposure to moderate risks and discomforts which usually require protective equipment to be worn. A range of safety and other precautions are required. Exposure to risks such as wildfire, heat, smoke, falling rocks and trees, etc., are a part of the job during wildland fire season. Work may require flying in small fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Incumbent will adhere to all safety rules and regulating as prescribed in manuals/supplements or by the designated Safety Officer.
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
NOTE: The salaries listed in this announcement reflect the permanent pay increases for federal and tribal wildland firefighters, effective March 23, 2025. In addition to the listed base salary, firefighters are eligible for Incident Response Premium Pay when deployed to a qualifying incident, which may significantly increase overall compensation. Salaries may be adjusted for individuals onboarding on or before 4/14/25 once the updated GW pay schedule is finalized. The new pay schedule will be accessible here once released:
TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES MAY BE AUTHORIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATIONS.
TELEWORK: Indian Affairs has determined that the duties of the position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
This is a supervisory position. Under provision of the Civil Service Reform Act, first-time supervisors are required to serve a one-year supervisory probationary period before their appointment becomes final. Those who do not satisfactorily complete this probationary period will be returned to positions of no lower grade and pay than those they occupied before assuming their supervisory assignment.
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:
This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see USA Jobs
- A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Salary : $88,621 - $115,213
