Wildland Firefighter (Engineering Equipment Operator Helper)

United-States-Forest-Service; Andalusia (AL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Forest Service unit in Alabama seeks an Engineering Equipment Operator Helper to assist with initial attack duties alongside a fire dozer operator on fire, fuels management, and related tasks.

The role supports other natural resource projects and requires adherence to safety and operational standards in a field setting. Applicants will be evaluated on their understanding of required job elements and compliance with qualifications.

Qualifications

• Experience operating motor vehicles such as cars, pickups, or vans to perform duties.
• Ability to keep work areas neat, clean, and organized.
• Ability to read and interpret instructions and specifications for mobile equipment.
• Reliability and basic driving safety for motor vehicles.
• Ability to operate non-motor safety-related equipment safely.

Responsibilities

• Assist the fire dozer operator with initial attack, fire and fuels management activities.
• Provide support to other natural resource project work as needed.

Skills

Operation of motor vehicles

Work practices

Ability to interpret instructions

Ability to drive safely (MVs)

Ability to operate safely (non-motor)

Job description

These positions will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit.

This position assists the fire dozer operator with initial attack, fire, and fuels management activities. The helper assists in support of other natural resource projects.

See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION for Regional contacts. 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.

Basic Requirement:

You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements to successfully perform the duties of Engineering Equipment Operator Helper.

Applicants will be evaluated on their ability to perform the duties of the position rather than length of experience. Eligibility will be determined by the relevance, scope and quality of all experience and training, regardless of where or how acquired. Applicants will be assessed based on their knowledge of the job elements identified in this announcement.

Screen-out Job Elements

• Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision.

In addition to the above requirements, applicants will be assessed based on their knowledge of the job elements identified below:

• Operation of Motor Vehicles (such as automobiles, pickup trucks, or vans to perform such duties as cutting, moving, digging, grading, and rolling earth, sand, stone, and other materials on flat and stable terrain).
• Work Practices (includes keeping things neat, clean, and in order)
• Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)
• Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles) Reliability and Dependability as an Engineering Equipment Operator
• Ability to Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)

Selective Placement Factors:

• Position may be required to drive vehicles that require a Class A or Class B Commercial Driver's License, based on type or kind of equipment being operated.
• Incumbent is subject to medical screening and must meet the Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Qualification Standards for moderate level duty wildland firefighting

Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement -OR-currently occupy a permanent position with primary fire fighter retirement coverage.

For those who do not currently occupy a permanent Federal position covered under primary fire fighter retirement, you must be under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position; or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and requesting a waiver to the requirement.

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 primary/rigorous position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System.

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 MODERATE level is a condition of employment.