Job Information
National Park Service Wildland Firefighter - Helitack in Yosemite National Park, California
Summary Positions at the GS-06 level have been identified as key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard. These positions have been categorized as a Senior Firefighter (SFF), and require 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 the IFPM website. Responsibilities This is a Public Notice for positions being filled under the Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) for Wildland Fire. Under this recruitment procedure applications will be accepted for each location identified in this Public Notice. Veterans' Preference is not applicable to this announcement. To learn more about Direct-Hire Authority, go to: OPM.GOV Hiring Information - DHA. The National Park Service (NPS) is looking for temporary employees to work on Helitack (helicopter) Crews in Yosemite NP, CA (Yosemite NP). For more information on Types of Crews, click here. A Wildland Firefighter (GS-06) serves as an experienced wildland firefighter on a Helitack crew performing the following duties: locates fire line, directs and participates in fire line construction, backfiring and burnout operations, tree felling and holding/patrol mop-up operations. Directs the fire suppression efforts of the helicopter module. Directs the loading of helicopter personnel and cargo, considers weight and balance, securing cargo. Completes manifests of personnel and equipment being transported to the fire or other work sites. Inventories and inspects helicopter accessories, fire tools, and equipment. Ensures that needed tools and equipment are available for firefighting tasks. For contact information and housing availability, visit Fire Contacts on the DOI FIRES website. To view a list of contacts by agency, select California. For more information about temporary fire positions with DOI, go to the following link: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/. Requirements Conditions of Employment SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. To register or verify your registration, go to the Selective Service System website. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Failure to satisfy the background check will result in cancellation of offer of employment or may be grounds for termination. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/TESTING: You must pass an initial pre-employment physical examination and must be able to pass the work capacity fitness test (must carry a 45 lb pack for 3 miles within 45 minutes). Failure to meet any of the required medical qualifications will disqualify you for employment. Any condition, which would cause you to be a hazard to yourself or to others, will disqualify you for employment. DRUG TESTING: Positions require a mandatory pre-employment drug test. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. The drug test will be provided at Government direction and expense. Once hired, employees are also subject to random drug testing during employment. This is in accordance with Executive Order 12564 and under the Department's Drug Free Workplace Program. Positions may require a valid state driver's license. Some positions may require a CDL; information will be provided at job offer. You must be 18 years of age or older at the time of appointment. All positions have medical qualification requirements. You may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service fire uniform standards. Qualifications Hours worked per week must be stated for each season and position held in your resume. *Experience listed will need to include specific duties about the work being performed and should not be only the general language stated below in the examples. To qualify for a GS-06 You must meet the following Experience AND the Selective Factors: 1). One year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-05 level duties. Examples of specialized work experience include: On-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention or suppression work; operating and maintaining specialized wildland fire tools/equipment/vehicles and may include leading crewmembers. Selective Factors for GS-06: In addition to the basic qualifications listed above, you must have possessed the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualification and training requirement to be considered eligible. 1. Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) And 2. Successful completion of S-290 "Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior" And 3. Helicopter Crew Member (HECM) And 4. Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) And 5. Completion of S-211 "Portable Pumps and Water Use" Course And 6. Completion of S-212 "Wildland fire Chainsaw" Course You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Physical Demands: Arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity. Work Environment: Forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor bivouac and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances. Firefighters may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (e.g., boots, hard hat, gloves, flame resistant clothing). Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft. Education Additional Information A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. Pay rates vary depending on location. For additional information on pay rates: Click here for the OPM Salaries and Wages to calculate locality pay. Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS). If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility. Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. For more information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well-qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Temporary employees hired in wildland fire or wildland fire support positions are eligible for the following: -Annual, sick leave, and paid federal holidays -Depending on tour of duty - Sunday, holiday, shift differential and/or hazard pay -Participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program - Employees electing to participate in the FEHB will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency roles, which is deducted from bi-weekly earnings. After separating from federal employment, employees will be offered to continue participation in FEHB under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) option. Employees electing to continue coverage under the TCC provision will be responsible for the full premium amount plus a 2% administration fee. A supplemental pay increase of $20,000 or 50% of base pay per year, is authorized under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as long as funding is available.