This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority This Wildland Firefighter (Prevention) position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-11 working in the following location(s): Medford, Oregon
In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below Only experience and education obtained by 05/04/2026 will be considered. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. Please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. Minimum Qualification: For the GW-11 level: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-09 level, or higher, in the Federal service, or equivalent; examples of specialized experience include, but not limited to: writing and implementing plans for wildland fire mitigation; developing and coordinating information pertaining to wildfire prevention and mitigation activities; coordinating wildland fire educational programs with other agencies, institutions, and/or communities; serving as a spokesperson on controversial issues or policies to media, interest groups, public, and government officials; developing prevention campaigns for wildfire causes; and acting as a wildland fire investigator and supporting the district fire trespass program. Please provide an SF50 with your application package to verify that you are a current or former federal employee. OR At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-10 level, or higher, outside of the Federal service; examples of specialized experience include, but not limited to: writing and implementing plans for wildland fire mitigation; developing and coordinating information pertaining to wildfire prevention and mitigation activities; coordinating wildland fire educational programs with other agencies, institutions, and/or communities; serving as a spokesperson on controversial issues or policies to media, interest groups, public, and government officials; developing prevention campaigns for wildfire causes; and acting as a wildland fire investigator and supporting the district fire trespass program; and providing training and guidance for new fire investigators. Prior on-the-line firefighting: This experience must be clearly documented in your resume with specific to and from dates, description of work performed, and hours worked per week in order to be considered. This is an administrative position in an organization having a firefighting mission and is in an established career path. Prior firefighting experience, as gained by substantial service in a primary firefighter position or equivalent experience outside the Federal government, is a MANDATORY PREREQUISITE. Candidates must possess substantial wildland firefighting experience, gained through fire line work in containment, control, suppression or use of wildland fire. The Department of the Interior defines wildland firefighting experience as any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland. Wildland firefighting experience is gained through work on the fire line in containment, control, suppression or use of wildland fire. This experience can be met by serving in a temporary, seasonal, or equivalent private sector fire position. Wildland fires are categorized into two distinct types: (1) Wildfires - Unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires; and (2) Prescribed Fires - Planned ignitions. This description includes only fireline experience on a Prescribed Fire; it does not include experience in the planning stages. Prescribed fire experience must be supplemented by fire suppression experience in order to be creditable as previous wildland firefighting experience. IMPORTANT-PLEASE NOTE: There is not an option to qualify for the 0456 series utilizing education at this grade level. Applicants must meet all minimum qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the Job Announcement. Secondary Firefighter Retirement Coverage - Applicants for this secondary administrative fire fighter position under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d), must possess knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of wildland firefighting as demonstrated by direct wildland firefighting experience. In order to receive credit, you must provide a written description of your experience in wildland firefighting. While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age policy, the selectee must have prior service in a primary position (3 years of service in primary/rigorous position(s)) and meet the transfer requirement for movement from a primary to secondary position to be eligible for special retirement coverage. Education without hands-on wildland firefighting experience does not meet this requirement. Periods of wildland firefighting experience, gained through militia and rural fire departments, can also be credited. Wildland fire is defined as any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland. Two distinct types of wildland fire have been defined and include wildfire and prescribed fires as follows: Wildfire: Unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires. Prescribed Fires: Planned ignitions. This description includes only fire line experience on a Prescribed Fire; it does not include experience in the planning stages. Prescribed fire experience must be supplemented by fire suppression experience in order to be creditable as previous wildland firefighting experience. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your SF-50). YOU MUST LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN A PRIMARY POSITION. Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary, although a level of physical fitness is required which will allow for work during periods of extended stress and in the field when wildland fire situations arise. During the fire season, extended fire assignments away from the unit may be required under very stressful conditions. Working Conditions: Work is generally performed in an office setting. Field work involves exposure to temperature extremes, both from weather and fire conditions where falling trees and the presence of smoke and/or dust conditions create hazardous conditions. The nature of fire investigation work requires that protective clothing (boots, hard hats, etc.) be worn. The incumbent must exercise a variety of safety practices and precautions for the well-being of self and of others.
As a Wildland Firefighter (Prevention) - Direct Hire Authority your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Develops, coordinates, and implements educational school programs, meetings, and events with tribal governments and local communities to reduce loss resulting from wildland fire. Leads the wildfire prevention and mitigation program and facilitates local, state, and regional/national/tribal forums. Leads planning and implementation of overall wildfire prevention and mitigation programs and activities for the unit/tribe (or tribes), communities, and the general public. Develops a wildfire prevention plan that incorporates the appropriate strategy to address the primary causes at the local unit. Performs administrative leadership responsibilities to include timekeeping, travel administration, government credit card management and maintaining records.