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Forestry Technician - Prevention - Wildland Firefighter

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service

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Summary

These positions will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit.

The position serves as Fire Prevention Officer on a Forest Service unit. The primary purpose of this position involves planning and execution of fire prevention, suppression, and education programs.

See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section for the specific contact information.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
08/22/2025 to 09/23/2025
Salary
$66,948 to - $93,743 per year
Pay scale & grade
GW 8 - 9
Locations
MANY vacancies in the following locations:
Springerville, AZ
Sonora, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel overnight on fire suppression, fire related assignments, meetings and/or training for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
9
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
26-FIRE-P1VA-PREVNS-89DH
Control number
844040000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

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Duties

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  • Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-09 level.
  • Provides technical expertise on fire protection and prevention/ suppression issues. Supervises inspections in compliance with Federal, State and local codes and Special Use permit requirements and contract provisions relating to fire precautions.
  • Develops, implements and makes presentations on the role of fire in ecosystem management educational programs on unit, both internally and externally.
  • Develops and presents fire prevention training for unit and forest personnel and cooperating agencies, public utilities and citizens groups.
  • Develops district or unit fire prevention plan by analysis of fire occurrence data, hazard and risk, values, suppression capabilities and potential for the loss of resources.
  • Cooperatively designs/executes joint programs in fire prevention; reviews development plans for compliance with fire safe practices; provides technical expertise on fire protection in special use permits, service contracts and timber sale contracts.
  • Advises responsible parties of hazards or other unsatisfactory conditions and of governing laws and regulations.
  • Prepares written reports and plans, including case reports, narratives, investigation reports, maps, site sketches etc. Documents findings, issues citations as necessary.

Requirements

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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.
  • This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice.
  • Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions.
  • Secondary Coverage: Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
  • 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.

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.

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.

GW-08: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-07);

Examples of specialized experience include: Provided technical expertise on fire protection and prevention/suppression issues; Made inspections of lands and buildings for compliance with Federal, State and local codes and Special Use permit requirements and contract provisions relating to fire precautions; Reviewed fire control plans and documents relating to fire prevention, detection, and hazard reduction, pre-suppression and suppression tactics and strategies; Assisted in the development, implementation and presentation of the role of fire in ecosystems management educational programs.

GW-09: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-08);

Examples of specialized experience include: Assisted in developing and executing plans to solve complex problems involving fire preparedness, fuels management, fire prevention, and/or training; Assisted the management of fire prevention and detection programs, scheduling staffing, maintenance and/or training; Assisted the development of fire control plans and/or documentation relating to fire pre-suppression, prevention, detection, suppression tactics and/or strategies.

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8836 (c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history.

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, MODERATE, or LIGHT 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

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

For additional information about the duties and location(s) of these positions, please contact regional representative: To see the different locations within the Regional Offices | US Forest Service (usda.gov)

Region 3: Southwestern Region - Tobe Haught at tobe.haught@usda.gov
Region 5: Pacific Southwest Region - Brian Grabowski - brian.grabowski@usda.gov

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors.

These are permanent positions with varying tours of duty and may include weekend work. Some positions may have irregular and protracted hours of work. Tours of duty include full-time or less than full time (guaranteed minimum 13 pay periods full-time employment).

Availability of government housing, federal day care facilities, and telework may be available. Some positions filled via this announcement are bargaining unit positions represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees, IAMAW. This is dependent upon unit location.

The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates.

Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.

The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website.

Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email SM.FS.asc_tos@usda.gov

PROMOTION POTENTIAL: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied or guaranteed.

Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position.

Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given a new appointment.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12780762

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