Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Smokejumper)

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

Job summary

The United States Forest Service unit in California seeks a Smokejumper Program Specialist to assist in managing the Smokejumper Group and provide expert technical guidance in smokejumper operations, loft, loadmaster duties, training and prescribed fire.

Candidates must meet the specialized experience standards (GW-08/GW-09) with demonstrated roles in smokejumper safety, parachute rigging, aerial delivery, and aircraft coordination, and must pass medical and fitness requirements.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience as a smokejumper or related wildland fire operations is required.
• Experience with parachute rigging, aircraft loading, and safety procedures is essential.
• Familiarity with smokejumper safety programs and training standards is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing the Smokejumper Group and provide technical guidance in operations.
• Support training, loft, loadmaster duties, and prescribed fire activities.
• Coordinate with aircraft, safety personnel, and ground crews during missions.

Skills

Smokejumper operations

Parachute rigging

Aircraft loading

Safety program support

Job description

These position are located at a USDA Forest Service Unit.

The primary purpose of this position is to assist in managing the activities of the Smokejumper Group and to provide the Forest Service's highest level of technical expertise in the field of smokejumping operations, loft, loadmaster, training and prescribed fire.

See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section for the specific contact information. 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.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GW-08: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-07) in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience may include:

• Performed as an Initial Attack Commander responsible for leading a squad of personnel in wildland suppression activities;
• Directed and coordinated all types of related aircraft, fire line personnel and equipment;
• Led other crew members in all applicable smokejumper duties including parachute rigging and repair, paracargo rigging, aircraft loading, sewing and manufacturing, equipment maintenance and other duties which support the smokejumper program.

For the GW-09: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-08) in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience may include:

• Served as spotter and made critical safety decisions on jump actions and fire strategies and tactics;
• Assisted in managing Smokejumper Safety Programs such as Smokejumper First Aid or Prescribed Fire/Fuels Treatment and Chainsaw Safety, or Smokejumper Spotter/Pilot Program;
• Served as a cargo dropper in charge of aerial delivery missions in a variety of aircraft involving both paracargo and free-fall delivery using systems.

Smokejumper duties present unusual hazards and require that personnel be in excellent physical condition and possess a high degree of emotional stability and mental alertness. The health of individuals must be such that they have the capacity to meet demands for performance in the position and for human reliability. Before entrance on duty, and periodically during employment, smokejumpers must undergo a medical exam, physical conditioning, and an adeptness test. Failure to meet any of the required standards will be considered disqualifying for employment or a basis of termination.

See Medical Requirements for Smokejumper Positions.

During the training period, incumbents are continually evaluated on their ability to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in various aspects of parachute jumping and smokejumper-related tasks, including aircraft exit procedures, parachute landing falls, parachute maneuvering, timber let-down procedures, parachute and cargo retrieving, tree climbing, and chainsaw and hand tool use. Incumbents who cannot perform up to the required standards of proficiency will be terminated from the smokejumper program. Smokejumpers must perform safely and efficiently in extreme temperatures and weather conditions, often with severe smoke and dust. Terrain may be extremely steep, uneven, rocky, and covered with thick tangled vegetation. Conditions riding in aircraft may be hot, cramped, and extremely turbulent, which may promote airsickness. The hazardous nature of the work requires that protective clothing (jump suit, helmet, boots, gloves, fire resistant clothing, etc.) be worn and protective equipment, including fire shelters, be carried.

Selective Placement Factors

• Must be licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Senior Parachute Rigger under FAR part 65.
• Must be currently or have been previously qualified as a smokejumper on an organized wildland fire smokejumper crew.

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 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.

WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters

This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS level is a condition of employment.

To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.