Forestry Technician (Airtanker Base)

Company: Department Of Agriculture
Location: Porterville
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 when applications are due for these locations can be found on the Forest Service website

See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section for details.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• Duties are listed at full performance level
• Serve as an expert in aviation safety and retardant aircraft limitations.
• Applies multi-agency policy, agreements and protocols to ensure effective interagency aviation operations.
• Responsible for the overall efficiency, safety and security of ground and aviation operations.
• Oversee the planning, scheduling and monitoring of all flights and resources assigned to the airtanker base.
• Determine flight information such as location, heading, radio contacts, frequencies and possible hazards.
• Oversee mixing and loading of retardant chemicals to ensure that individual aircraft weight limitations are not exceeded.
• Direct and oversee the activities at an airtanker base in support of wildland fire suppression.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel overnights on fire suppression or fire related assignments for this position.

Supervisory status

Yes

Promotion Potential

9

• 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.
• Minimum of 90 days of 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.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GS-08 level you 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 are: Inspecting, mixing and loading retardant chemicals to assure quality control and not to exceed aircraft limitations. Dispatching fixed and rotor wing aircraft after determining flight information. Record keeping such as incident and accident reporting, retardant deliveries, consumption levels, and retardant costs per operation. Completing daily flight invoices and contract daily diaries.

For the GS-09 level you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-8); 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 are: Planned, scheduled, and monitored all flights out of a base for resource and fire related projects; provided facility maintenance oversight and procurement for repairs and improvements; managed safe and efficient loading of properly mixed retardants into airtankers; prepared and directed the implementation of airtanker base operational plans and administered aircraft and retardant contracts.

Selective Placement Factors

Successful completion of the NWCG Core Requirement of Airtanker Base Manager (ATBM).

A minimum 90 days experience performing on-the-line (Primary/Rigorous) wildland fire suppression duties as a member of an organized fire suppression crew or comparable unit that utilized knowledge of wildland fire suppression, containment or control techniques and practices under various conditions. This experience must be documented with specific dates in the online application or resume.

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 secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). At least 90 days of 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.

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

See QUALIFICATIONS section for education requirements.

Keywords: Department Of Agriculture, Porterville , Forestry Technician (Airtanker Base), Other , Porterville, California