This position will be filled under the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority and is open to all United States citizens and U.S. nationals. Veteran's preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications do not apply. All qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration for this position. To learn more about Direct-Hire authority, go to: OPM.GOV Hiring Information: Direct Hire Fact Sheet
This key fire management position is a categorized under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard as a Wildland Firefighter. Minimum IFPM qualification standards must be met prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at https://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/. The maximum age is 37 (except for veterans preference eligibles). Individuals must be selected for these positions prior to their 37th birthday. Qualified preference eligibles may apply and be considered for vacancies regardless of whether they meet the maximum age requirements identified at 5 U.S.C. 3307, unless the hiring agency has determined age is essential to the duties of the job. Only experience and education obtained by 09/19/2025 will be considered. ***Your resume MUST include BEGINNING and END DATES specified in MONTH/YEAR to MONTH/YEAR format. In addition, your resume MUST reflect FULL-TIME/PART-TIME or total number of HOURS worked per week*** Please limit your resume to no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. You may qualify at the GW-06 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirements: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in the public or private sectors). Examples of specialized experience may include: perform fire prevention activities such as patrolling to gauge fire potential and occurrence; distribute literature explaining the fire prevention program to the public, and prepare fire reports; instruct and provide on-the-job training to personnel in the use of wildland fire control equipment, methods, and safety procedures; operate wildland fire engines weighing up to 18,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW); assist in maintaining records of fire time and attendance work done by fire crews, and related activities. You may qualify at the GW-07 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirements: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in the public or private sectors). Examples of specialized experience may include: lay out and organize lines of attack for a wildland fire; locate and construct firelines; dispatch fire crews and provides onsite direction and support to crew members on the fireline; ensure availability of equipment, water, and supplies; train others in equipment safety, maintenance and use; conduct informal on-the-job fire training sessions; distribute literature and explain the fire prevention plan to the general public; use computer software for database creation, management, and manipulation (e.g. Microsoft Access, WIMS, Fire Base, etc.) This position is subject to the qualifications and additional required training specified in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Qualifications Standards and Guide. NWCG Incident Management Qualifications: In addition to the specialized experience above, you must have the qualifications described below: Primary Core Requirement: ENGB (Engine Boss) AND Secondary Core Requirement: ICT5 (Incident Commander, Type 5) (You must provide a copy of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other equivalent documentation which verifies you meet the required minimum qualifications for this IFPM position. Failure to provide this documentation by the closing dated of the announcement will result in you being rated as not qualified). 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. Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GW-GW-7. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GW-GW-7. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
Fire Suppression, Monitoring, and Post-Fire Activities As an experienced leader within a wildland fire module or crew in fuels management, fire suppression, monitoring, and post-fire activities, applies an understanding of firefighter safety, fire behavior, topography of the area, weather, fuels, and training in fire management work to: 1) mentor and instruct lower graded employees on crewmember duties; 2) plan action and direct utilization of fireline resources on less complex fires; and 3) for more complex fires, direct assigned suppression operations and recommend and implement tactical strategy on attacking, controlling, or mopping up fires, building or patrolling firelines, cleaning up burned areas within firelines, suppressing spot fires, felling snags or trees, and cutting brush. Adjusts actions based on changing information and evolving situational awareness. Uses firing devices on a firing operation according to the ignition/firing plan (verbal or written). Coordinates with aircraft for aviation support missions. Coordinates module or crew logistics and places caches of equipment and supplies at strategic points. Fire Preparedness Directs the operation and use of special tools and equipment such as, but not limited to power saws, portable pumps, firing devices, and communication equipment (e.g., programming radio frequencies), and makes decisions as to when, where, and how equipment can be utilized to the greatest advantage. Directs and ensures proper assembly of equipment and supplies needed for fire assignments or daily work assignments. May serve as a subject matter expert on regional, state, and/or national interagency committees. Fuels Management and Prevention Directs moderately complex fuels management projects or participates in more complex hazard fuel reduction projects by conducting project assessments and gathering data (e.g., fuel quantity and conditions), planning (e.g., drafting or reviewing fuels management plans, assessing and recommending fuel treatment alternatives), preparing (e.g., ensuring proper training, placement and instruction of crews), and implementing (e.g., ignition, holding, mop-up, and rehabilitation) treatments. Fuels management projects include prescribed fire, and mechanical and biological treatments; inventorying fuel beds; and piling vegetation debris. May be required to use/operate specialized firing equipment. Leadership Leads firefighting personnel by directing their activities when suppressing wildland fires or by serving as a situational leader on wildland fires by directing the work of a small crew of firefighters in building firelines, burning out, mopping up, and patrolling firelines. During wildland fire and fuels management assignments, directs and provides on-the-job training opportunities to lower graded firefighters on the use of tools and equipment. Accounts for crewmembers' location, health, safety, and welfare. Briefs situational assessments to higher level leadership and crews and modules.