Equipment Specialist

United-States-Forest-Service; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Forest Service in Missoula, MT is seeking an Equipment Specialist to apply expertise in wildland firefighting equipment management, focusing on smokejumper gear and aircraft accessories. Responsibilities include evaluating usability, testing equipment, and coordinating field data collection.

Qualifications emphasize specialized experience at GW-07 level or higher, with related education and knowledge of safety equipment and operational procedures.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GW-07 level.
• Experience with firefighting equipment usability testing and data collection.
• Knowledge of smokejumper operations and PPE considerations is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Assist in field evaluations and data collection for firefighting equipment.
• Support planning and testing for smokejumper equipment and aircraft accessories.
• Review specifications, standards, and manuals related to firefighter gear.

Skills

Wildland firefighting

Fire equipment testing

Data collection

Education

Master's degree or higher

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Engineering drawings

Job description

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]. 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.

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.

Specialized Experience Requirement

GW-09:

Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-07 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.

• Aided in field evaluations, testing, and/or data collection required for determining usability and service-wide acceptance of firefighting equipment including products for firefighter safety, water handling, aerial delivery, hand tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), or other equipment used in firefighting operations;
• Assisted in surveying and obtaining the technical information required to recommend, design, fabricate, and evaluate parameters of wildland firefighting equipment;
• Assisted in the planning, execution, and monitoring of projects evaluating the effectiveness of firefighter equipment for firefighter safety, water handling, aerial delivery, hand tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), helicopter rappelling, and/or smoke jumping.

GW-11:

Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-09 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.,(coursework must be directly related to the position being filled such as forestry, range management, agriculture); 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/54 quarter hours leading to a Ph.D.). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

• Conducted field evaluations, testing, and/or data collection required for determining usability and service-wide acceptance of firefighting equipment including products for firefighter safety, water handling, aerial delivery, hand tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), or other equipment used in firefighting operations;
• Assisted in making recommendations for safe and efficient program for some phases of the smokejumper operation to include: inspection procedures, planned and implemented testing of equipment to monitor results, and recommended changes in policies or procedures based on results to higher level manager;
• Assisted in the planning, execution, and monitoring of projects evaluating the effectiveness of firefighter equipment for firefighter safety, water handling, aerial delivery, hand tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), helicopter rappelling, and/or smokejumping;
• Read and interpreted specifications, standards, engineering drawings, statements of work, deviation requests, technical manuals, and other technical publications and documentation related to firefighter safety, water handling, aerial delivery, hand tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), or other equipment used in firefighting operations.

GW-12:

Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-11 level.

• Provided advisory services related to wildland firefighting personal protective equipment design, textile design, production, operation, and maintenance requirements for major components of new or extensively modified equipment systems or commodity classes;
• Assessed smokejumper operations, made recommendations for the implementation and execution of a comprehensive, safe, and efficient program for all phases of the operation to include: inspection procedures, planned and implemented testing of equipment to monitor results, and recommending changes in policies or procedures based on results;
• Addressed quality control issues related to major components of new or modified equipment systems related to wildland firefighting personal protective equipment and accessories;
• Prepared test plans, arranged for field testing of equipment used for helicopter rappelling and smokejumping including textile use and design.

Selective Placement Factors

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336 (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS).

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.