U.S. Department of the Interior

Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch) - Direct Hire Authority


Pay$35373.00 - $51446.00 / year
LocationLewistown/Montana
Employment typeFull-Time

This job is now closed

  • Job Description

      Req#: 776433300
      ** This vacancy announcement has been EXTENDED ; previous applicants need not reapply **

      Explore a new career with the BLM -
      where our people are our most precious resource.

      We expect to fill 1 vacancy in Miles City, MT and 1 vacancy in Lewistown, MT at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

      This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority here.

      Duties


      • Receives fire reports, determines location, land status, and current fire information to dispatch personnel, equipment, aircraft, and/or supplies.
      • Track resource requests for fire and other emergency incidents.
      • Initiate requests for additional resources as needed.
      • Maintain resource status and tracking systems.
      • Input data into a number of fire-related computer applications.
      • Monitor all fire radio communications and maintain telephone and radio conversation logs.
      • Gathers data to perform briefings and provide information to supervisors and fire management personnel.
      • Coordinate and assist with fire training and orientation.

      Requirements


      • U.S. Citizenship is required.
      • Be sure to read the HOW TO APPLY and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS Sections.
      • You cannot hold an active real estate license; nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Land.
      • Direct Deposit Required.
      • Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination. Failure to possess or obtain a favorable determination will result in the cancellation of the offer or will be grounds for termination.
      • 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.
      • This position requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work.
      • May require completion of a one year probationary period.
      • Applicants appointed to this position must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.

      Qualifications


      General/Specialized Experience Requirements :
      In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement(s); please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled.

      To qualify for the GS-04 grade level, 6 months of general work experience, which can be any work experience AND 6 months of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-03 level duties. Examples of specialized work experience include, but are not limited to: performing dispatching work or experience that provided you with a familiarity with the subject matter and/or processes of dispatching, such as: performing wildland fire suppression duties, reviewing/receiving fire incident reports, and working with fire/dispatch computer programs.

      GENERAL EXPERIENCE : (1) Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Specialized experience may be substituted for general experience.

      SEASONAL EXPERIENCE : A season of experience is considered to be a period of no less than 3 months of continuous employment on a seasonal basis. Shorter periods may be combined to make a season, provided a total of at least 3 months' experience is shown. For any period where the work exceeded 3 months, the excess work is credited towards an additional season of experience.

      To qualify for the GS-05 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04 is required. Examples of specialized work experience include, but are not limited to: providing efficient and effective support to a wildland fire management program; operating fire/incident related telecommunications equipment and other related equipment; providing local/regional, geographic fire mobilization and demobilization support by monitoring and tracking resources; obtaining and documenting incident size-up information; administering preparedness dispatch support services by relaying daily fire weather forecasts, "Red Flag" warnings, spot weather forecasts, predicted weather and burning indices.

      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.

      Substitution of Education for Experience:
      To qualify for a GS-04, 2 years of education above the high school level which included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine biology and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 3 semester hours of mathematics is creditable toward this requirement; OR- a combination of the education and experience described above.

      To qualify for a GS-05, successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as those shown above for GS-4. No more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable.; OR- a combination of education and experience as described above.

      You must meet all qualification and selective placement factor requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

      Physical Demands: The work is primarily performed in an office setting, but demands long hours of sitting and irregular shifts. Long periods of intense concentration and working at peak proficiency/intensity levels.

      Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in an office setting. During peak activity, long hours, increased radio traffic, numerous ringing phones, and conversations result in high noise levels, which require a high level of concentration to perform duties. The duties of the position create a highly stressful environment during peak activity, required the ability to keep calm in emergency situations.

      This is a secondary/administrative firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age policy, the selectee must have prior service in a primary position (3 years of service in primary/rigorous position(s)) and meet the transfer requirement for movement from a primary to secondary position to be eligible for special retirement coverage. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your SF-50). YOU MUST LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN A PRIMARY POSITION.

      FACT SHEET for Fire Positions: Information on Special Retirement.
  • About the company

      The United States Department of the Interior is a federal executive department of the U.S. government. It is responsible for the management and conservation of most federal lands and natural resources, and the administration of programs relating to Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, territorial affairs, and insular areas of the United States, as well as programs related to historic preservation. About 75% of federal public land is managed by the department, with most of the remainder managed by the United States Department of Agriculture's United States Forest Service. The department was created on March 3, 1849.

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