Equipment Specialist

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service in Missoula, MT seeks an Equipment Specialist to manage projects related to wildland firefighting and fire aviation equipment, focusing on Smokejumper gear and aircraft accessories.

The role requires developing charters, plans, and specifications, with emphasis on safety and quality. The position involves evaluating equipment, drafting standards, and coordinating with portfolio managers.

Qualifications

• Experience writing specifications for fire equipment.
• Knowledge of fire equipment design and evaluation.
• Project management experience with timelines and milestones.
• Ability to assess equipment failures and recommend corrective actions.
• Experience with quality assurance inspections and technical evaluations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Project Manager specializing in specification writing and fire equipment design.
• Develop project charters, plans, timelines, and milestones.
• Draft policy and standards to improve fire safety equipment and training.
• Prepare specifications and determine component requirements for items or systems.
• Conduct QA inspections and evaluate contractor items against specifications.

Skills

Project management

Specification writing

Fire equipment design

Quality assurance

Technical evaluation

Documentation

Job description

Summary

This position is located within the USDA Forest Service National Forest System, National Technology and Development Program in Missoula, MT. The Equipment Specialist position provides expertise and accomplishes projects related to wildland firefighting and fire aviation equipment management, with a focus on Smokejumper equipment and aircraft accessories. For additional information about the duties and location of this position, please contact Shawn Steber at [e-mail].

Major Duties

Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-12 level.Serves as a Project Manager specializing in specification writing and fire equipment design, development, and evaluation. Develops project charters and project plans.Develops project timelines and milestones. Documents project status and communicates with portfolio managers and stakeholders.Assists in the drafting of policy, technical guidelines, and standards that improve fire safety equipment and training. Studies requirements for specialized equipment and prepares project plans to accomplish development.Prepares specifications for equipment items or equipment systems. Determines specific requirements concerning quality of components, design, and construction details for completed items or systems.Performs analyses of engineering drawings, military specifications, blueprints, commercial catalogs, and other documents for the purpose of revising, collaborating on, and incorporating information into specifications and technical publications.Plans and supervises investigations or reviews of equipment related failures or deficiencies. Evaluates equipment failures or deficiencies and makes recommendations for corrective actions.Conducts quality assurance inspections and/or technical evaluation of items manufactured by contractors to Forest Service or accepted industry specifications.

Education

See QUALIFICATIONS section for education requirements.

Requirements

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. 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. This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice. Secondary Coverage: Prior 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Evaluations

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position. Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given a new appointment. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration. Resume that includes: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; Work Experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications. Resume cannot exceed 2 pages. If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation. Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), current performance appraisal with rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.

Other Information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. This is a permanent, full-time position and may include weekend work. The duty station for this position will be Missoula, MT. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates. PROMOTION POTENTIAL: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied or guaranteed. This is a bargaining unit position and is represented by NFFE. Government Housing is not available. Forest Service daycare facilities may be available.