Supervisory Forestry Technician (Handcrew)

Company: Department Of Agriculture
Location: Detroit
Posted on: June 6, 2021

Job Description:

• Duties

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Duties

Summary

THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. This type of announcement provides the Forest Service with a readily available source of applicants when vacancies occur. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified when there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied. Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates applications are due for these locations can be found on theForest Service website.

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Responsibilities

• Duties listed are at full performance GS-08 grade level.
• Supervises a group of employees performing firefighting work. Provides administrative and technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit.
• Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff members, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system.
• Observes workers' performance. Demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques. Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance.
• Provides advice and counsel to workers related to work and administrative matters. Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests.
• Furnishes employee assignments and a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm; refers matters that exceed the incumbents authority to higher levels of management for decision.
• Complies with occupational safety and health standards applicable to USDA FS and with all rules, regulations, and orders issued by USDA FS with respect to the occupational safety and health program.
• Ensures that personnel management within the organizational entity under supervision is accomplished without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.
• Is responsible for keeping abreast of developments, policy issuances, and other similar material in the equal opportunity field, and for fully supporting USDA FS Equal Opportunity Program.
• Is responsible for directing a module of a 10 to 20 person Handcrew.
• Performs various technical duties that involve differing and unrelated processes and methods. Coordinates the activities of a unit or team of firefighters in wildland fire and all-hazard situations.
• Uses technical equipment such as programmable two way radios, GPS units, weather monitoring equipment, computers for accessing fire weather, and fire modeling and mapping programs.
• Recognizes, reacts to, and communicates changes in predicted weather and fire behavior, topography and fuel types, and adapts planned strategies and tactics to identify and relocate firelines, escape routes, and safety zones.
• Performs in other assignments on incidents involving wildland urban interface/intermix situations, or other incidents which may require other specialized training and qualifications; i.e., Incident Commander, etc.
• Works with other resource managers in the development and implementation of prescribed burn plans. Executes prescribed burns commensurate with qualifications such as burn boss, firing boss or holding boss.
• May be required to operate a crew carrier. If a CDL is required, the position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Department of Transportation (DOT)/Forest Service Alcohol and Controlled Substance Testing Program.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire related assignments.

Supervisory status

Yes

Promotion Potential

8

• Job family (Series)

0462 Forestry Technician

• Requirements

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of training.
• This is a Test Designated Position. You will be tested for illegal drugs prior to appointment and randomly thereafter. Appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results.
• Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
• Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver's license; a commercial driver's license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination.
• There may be additional Conditions of Employment not listed here, however applicants will be notified of any specific requirements at the time a tentative job offer is made.
• Under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the requirement.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GS-07: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6); OR one full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture); OR combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

Examples of specialized experience include: Served on a specialty crew (hotshot, helitack, engines, etc.) or assigned to lead fire suppression under the most adverse conditions of climate, fuels, and terrain and/or performed interdisciplinary tactical methods and techniques for use of water and other additives in controlling and mopping-up fires in order to efficiently and effectively to accomplish objectives and/or made initial evaluation of fire situations, determined rate of spread, potential hazards to property and other improvements, suppression method to use, hose lays, deployment of crew, point of initial attack and type of tools to use.

For the GS-08: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7); OR two full years (36 semester/54 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level education or master's degree if the coursework is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture); OR combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position (in excess of 18 semester/27 quarter hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

Examples of specialized experience include: Independently practiced methods and procedures associated with wildfire suppression to resolve a full range of irregular or problem situations when suppressing wildland fires and/or coordinated and assisted in the development of fire/aviation training and instructional programs and/or independently implemented many technical specialized objectives such as coordinating resources, vehicle, supplies & equipment and other tactics used in fire suppression and prescribed fire.

Selective Placement Factors

Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Crew Boss (CRWB) - AND - Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5).

Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement.

In order to be considered for this position, copies of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training documents) which contain documented proof of the certification or attainment of the IFPM Selective Placement Factor for this position MUST be attached to your application. Red cards are not acceptable documentation. Currency Requirement: Required to maintain currency once hired into the position. Currency of NWCG qualifications is not required for selection. If not currently qualified, the applicant must provide documented evidence that they have been fully qualified in the past, and are able to regain currency within one year of being hired. Failure to provide this documentation will result in disqualification.

This position has been identified as High Complexity under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) or Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) and is subject to selective placement factor requirements contained in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard and Guide when filling this vacancy. IFPM or FS-FPM selective placement factors are made up of a primary and secondary National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) core Incident Management Qualifications and Required Training. The applicant must possess these qualifications at the applicable complexity level to be considered eligible for this position.

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.

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a primary/rigorous position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System.

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.

To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Keywords: Department Of Agriculture, Salem , Supervisory Forestry Technician (Handcrew), Other , Detroit, Oregon