Forestry Technician (Fire) (Lead Engine)

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our greatest natural resource.  

For additional information about the BLM, please visit our website.

This position is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Information about the surrounding area can be found here: http://www.las-cruces.org/

We expect to fill one vacancy at this time for this location, however, this announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Qualifications:

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 - please be sure to include this information in your resume.  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-06 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 is required.  Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: on-the-line wildland fire experience performing fire engine operations as a senior crewmember of an engine or hand crew.

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:

GS-06: 18 semester hours of graduate education which is DIRECTLY related to work of the position OR an equivalent combination of specialized experience and education.

*You must meet the above qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard. This position has been categorized as a Senior Firefighter (SFF), and requires 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 www.ifpm.nifc.gov.

Selective Placement Factor(s): This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element.  Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified.

1) This position is a Primary Firefighter position and is subject to a maximum entry age (MEA). The MEA is the date immediately preceding your 37th birthday. Applicants must not have reached age 37 at the time of appointment, unless proof is provided of prior Federal service in another primary covered position, or you are a preference eligible veteran.

2) To meet IFPM requirements for this position, you must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required):

A) Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), AND;
B) S-290 “Intermediate Fire Behavior”

* You must meet all selective placement factors by the closing date of the announcement. 

Responsibilities:

- Drives and operates a wildland fire engine.
- Performs and directs others in operating wildland fire engine.
- Gathers data and considers information when responding to wildland fire incidents.
- Responsible for operation and maintenance of wildland fire engine.
- Performs hazardous fuel reductions projects and project work such as road and trail maintenance.
- Assists higher level workers in range research efforts.
- Assists in preparation of hazardous fuels treatment plans and burn plans.
- Works with local homeowners to educate and mitigate potential wildland fire threats.

Physical Demands: Duties involve rigorous fieldwork requiring above average physical performance, endurance, and superior conditioning. Work requires prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of heavy items.

Work Environment: Work is primarily performed in forest and range environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with vegetation, and in smoky conditions.