Wildland Firefighter (Fire Dispatching) (Emergency Operations Coordinator-Assistant)

U.S. Department of the Interior; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of the Interior seeks a Wildland Firefighter (Fire Dispatching) to plan and coordinate mobilization of wildfire resources in Boise, Idaho. You will act as the first-level decision maker for requests, ensuring resources align with priorities and cost considerations.

You will provide guidance to fire protection agencies, work on national committees, interpret fire weather data for planning, and train staff in the assigned area while maintaining up-to-date desk references.

Qualifications

• Knowledge and ability to independently plan and coordinate complex mobilization of wildfire and emergency resources.
• Experience providing guidance to fire protection and emergency response agencies to maximize resource usefulness.
• Ability to interpret fire weather forecasts for planning and priority setting.

Responsibilities

• Independently plans and coordinates mobilization of wildfire and emergency resources.
• First level decision maker for all requests, considering cost and priority.
• Provide guidance and technical advice to agencies for optimal resource use.
• Serve on national working committees to improve coordination systems.
• Train staff in assigned functional area and maintain desk materials up to date.

Skills

Emergency management

Fire dispatching

Decision making

Team coordination

Tools

NWCG Incident Qualification

IQCS Master Record

Job description

Summary

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 (Fire Dispatching) (Emergency Operations Coordinator-Assistant), position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-11 working in the following location(s): Boise, Idaho

Major Duties

• Independently plans, organizes and coordinates total mobilization of wildfire and emergency response resources in advance of and during emergency incident activity, following national priorities.
• First level decision maker for all requests received, regardless of agencies involved.
• Incumbent implements requests for assistance, cognizant of cost and ensures the disposition of resources is consistent with Directorate decisions.
• Provides guidance and technical advice to various fire protection and emergency response agencies to obtain maximum utilization of emergency response resources in relation to values threatened.
• Serves on national working committees to improve the coordination system.
• Monitors and reviews daily fire weather forecasts, probable risk and fire danger.
• Incumbent must interpret and use forecasts as a planning tool for determining national priorities, anticipating problems and resolving competition for critically short resources.
• Serves as the focal point for assigned functional area (ie; aircraft, overhead/crews, equipment) ensures that desk operations comply with appropriate contract specifications and agency policies.
• Provides training to employees assigned to functional area.
• Ensures that all desk reference materials are organized and up to date.

Education

IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: There is not an option to qualify for the 0456 series utilizing education at this grade level.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Suitability for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Direct Deposit Required.
• You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment.
• In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties.
• Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state driver's license throughout their employment in this position.
• A condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
• You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• Subject to frequent extended travel up to 25% of the time, particularly during fire season, and you must obtain a government charge card for travel.

Evaluations

Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. You will be evaluated based on how your application materials reflect the minimum qualification requirements of this position. Once the job opportunity announcement closes, your resume and all supporting documents will be reviewed by HR to determine if you are minimally qualified for the position. If an applicant's resume is incomplete or does not support the requirements for minimum qualifications or specialized experience a rating of "ineligible" or "not qualified" will be applied and no consideration for employment will be granted. Due to this vacancy being filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to positions filled under this announcement. Applications received as a result of job fairs, recruitment events, and emergency hiring mechanisms in support of this hiring initiative will also be accepted during the duration of the announcement. All minimally qualified candidates will be referred for consideration. Please note that the hiring office may conduct interviews at their discretion. Interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis. The competencies below provide an overview of what this position entails once encumbered:

• Knowledge Management:
• Monitors and reviews daily fire weather forecasts, probable risk and fire danger. Incumbent must interpret and use forecasts as a planning tool for determining national priorities, anticipating problems and resolving competition for critically short resources.
• Manages Resources:
• Independently plans, organizes and coordinates total mobilization of wildfire and emergency response resources in advance of and during emergency incident activity, following national priorities.
• Interpersonal Skills:
• First level decision maker for all requests received, regardless of agencies involved. Incumbent implements requests for assistance, cognizant of cost and ensures the disposition of resources is consistent with Directorate decisions.
• Technical Competence:
• Serves as the focal point for assigned functional area (ie; aircraft, overhead/crews, equipment) ensures that desk operations comply with appropriate contract specifications and agency policies. Provides training to employees assigned to functional area. Ensures that all desk reference materials are organized and up to date. Provides guidance and technical advice to various fire protection and emergency response agencies to obtain maximum utilization of emergency response resources in relation to values threatened. Serves on national working committees to improve the coordination system.

Required Documents

You must submit a complete application package. The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on August 24th, 2026. Resumes must show relevant experience and other information. Your resume MUST list your education and work experience including (1) the dates (mm/yy) of each employment, along with (2) the number of hours worked per week, and (3) work experience duties listed under each job entry. In addition, Civil Service employees must provide their current OPM title, series, and grade. If experience is for a career ladder position, please ensure to clearly show how long you were working in each grade level. Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s). Failure to provide required information will result in loss of eligibility. No assumptions will be made about your experience and/or education. You are welcome to submit a cover letter. Resumes must also include name and how to best contact you, including email address and phone number. Do not include the following types of information in your resume: Classified or government sensitive information Social Security Number (SSN) Photos of yourself Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. Visit the USAJOBS Help Center for more information on What should I include in my federal resume and/or OPM Resume Writing Tips. In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you are required to submit the following supplemental documentation as applicable:

• Qualification Requirement - You must provide a copy of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other equivalent documentation which verifies you meet the required NWCG minimum qualifications for this IFPM position. Failure to provide this documentation will result in you being rated as not qualified.
• CTAP/ICTAP Documentation: documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location. Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.