This position is located at a USDA Forest Service Unit in the Pacific Southwest, Region 5. The incumbent serves as a Training Program Specialist and technical advisor to the Fire Staff Officer and unit Leadership Team. In addition, engages in employee and organization development with a focus on diversity, inclusiveness, and retention of top employees. See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION for Regional contacts.
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-9 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level; OR a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related; OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Specialized experience is defined as: Assisting in developing and presenting wildland firefighting courses such as aviation, fire prevention, fire suppression, fuels management, and fire related aviation operations. Monitoring training programs for workforce capability and capacity goals and identifying training objectives and course requirements. Assisting with coordinating work and budget proposals to support training and workforce development programs. Providing administrative and technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit. For the GS-11 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least to the GS-9 grade level; OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related; OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). Specialized experience is defined as: Developing and presenting wildland firefighting courses such as aviation, fire prevention, fire suppression, fuels management, and fire related aviation operations. Monitoring training programs for workforce capability and capacity goals and identifying training objectives and course requirements. Assisting with coordinating work and budget proposals to support training and workforce development programs. 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 position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System. 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. To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Duties listed are at full performance grade GS-11 level.
Evaluates interagency fire management training and development programs and assists in the notification and development of new national and regional initiatives to meet workforce objectives.
Serves as a technical advisor, consultant, or Subject Matter Expert (SME) to regional, field units, or interagency efforts. May assist regional training and development staff with various working groups, projects and programs.
Incumbent serves as a technical advisor in outreach, recruitment, hiring, employee training and development, leadership development, retention, and organizational learning to the Fire Staff Officer and Leadership Team.
Develops strategies and assists with creating or updating policy direction that follow Forest Service Handbooks and Manuals. Prepares documents for briefing papers, formal presentations and other types of material to help implement changes.
Incumbent may coordinate the development of annual program of work and budget proposals to support program and initiatives. Coordinates budget development and advanced acquisition plan with other staff areas on the unit/zone.