Forestry Technician (Smokejumper) (Smokejumper Training Specialist) – Direct Hire Authority

Job title:

Forestry Technician (Smokejumper) (Smokejumper Training Specialist) – Direct Hire Authority

Company

Federal government of the United States

Job description

SummaryThis is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at:Explore a new career with the BLM – where our people are our most precious resource.This position is located in . Information about the surrounding area may be found by clicking on the location name listed.We expect to fill 1 vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.Overview

• Accepting applications

Open & closing dates06/06/2025 to 06/19/2025Salary$75,698 – $98,414 per yearSee marketing message section for additional details.Pay scale & gradeGS 8LocationFairbanks, AK 1 vacancyRemote jobNoTelework eligibleNoTravel Required50% or less – Frequent travel will be required during times of peak fire activity.Relocation expenses reimbursedNoAppointment typePermanent – This is a permanent seasonal appointment. You will be in pay status for at least 6 months; but less than 12 months in a calendar year. When work/funds are unavailable, you will be placed in non-pay status.Work scheduleFull-timeServiceCompetitivePromotion potentialNoneJob family (Series)Supervisory statusNoSecurity clearanceDrug testYesPosition sensitivity and riskTrust determination processFinancial disclosureBargaining unit statusAnnouncement numberFADHA-25-12746960-BMControl number838374700This job is open toClarification from the agencyAll U.S. Citizens – No previous federal service is required. This position is being advertised under an OPM government-wide Direct Hire authority. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.VideosDuties

• Parachutes into rugged terrain and performs fire suppression and related duties.
• Serves as an Initial Attack Incident Commander.
• Maintains smokejumper and firefighting equipment, tools, and supplies.
• Directs fireline activities and tactics of firefighters, resources, equipment, and aircraft.
• Serves as a parachute rigger to repair, pack and maintain parachutes and related smokejumper parachute equipment.
• Provides the necessary annual fire training to returning smokejumpers and training cadre.
• Develops and provides standardized parachute training techniques.
• Oversees an instructor cadre of highly skilled smokejumpers to provide fire and parachute training.
• Documents and evaluates the performance of individuals, maintains records that identify performance trends, and provides individual consultation as needed.

RequirementsConditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Be sure to read the HOW TO APPLY and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS Sections.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license; nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Land.
• Direct Deposit Required.
• Background Investigation Required.
• Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background investigation. Failure to possess or obtain a favorable determination will result in the cancellation of the offer or will be grounds for termination.
• You must meet specified levels on annual physical fitness tests, and pass periodic medical exams for wildland fire personnel, commensurate with current incident management qualification.
• You must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position.
• You must pass a pre-employment physical. You must also pass the work capacity test for arduous positions.
• Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use and to pass the test prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• This position requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work during peak fire season.
• May require completion of a one year probationary period.
• Applicants appointed to this position must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
• Driver’s License required – GSA Form 3607 will be required to be completed during onboarding process.

QualificationsSpecialized Experience Requirements:
In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement(s); please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled.To qualify for the GS/GW-08 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to GS/GW-07 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: suppression/control of forest or range wildfire and experience leading smokejumpers and/or other fire resources.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.Substitution of Education for Experience:
For GS/GW-08: 36 semester hours (2 years) of graduate education which is DIRECTLY related to work of the position OR an equivalent combination of specialized experience and education.Selective Placement Factor(s): This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified.1.) This position is a Primary Firefighter position and is subject to a maximum entry age (MEA). The MEA is the date immediately preceding your 37th birthday. Applicants must not have reached age 37 at the time of appointment, unless proof is provided of prior Federal service in another primary covered position, or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application may result in loss of consideration. Please refer to the Required Documents section for further guidance on what documentation is required to meet this requirement. If over the MEA and you are not a veteran, proof of prior covered service must be submitted prior to employment. Acceptable proof consists of SF-50s showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable appointments and copies of approved letters based on individual claims.2.) Prior smokejumping experience required. This experience must be documented in the online application or resume with specific to AND from dates (MM/YY), description of work performed, AND hours worked per week.**You must meet all qualification and selective placement factor requirements by the closing date of the announcement.**Medical Requirements: Please see the Department of Interior Medical Standards Program website for the Federal Interagency Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for your position:Physical Requirements: Employment in this position is conditional upon your successful completion of the following BLM smokejumper physical fitness performance tests: When you report for duty, you will be given a physical condition test. The test is given in one time period with a 5-minute break between exercises. The test consists of performing the following exercises:

• 30 push-ups
• 6 pull-ups
• Run 1.5 miles in 10.47 minutes or less OR backpacking a 110 pound load three miles in less than 65 minutes.
• Work Capacity Test at the Arduous Level: All arduous wildland firefighters must backpack a 45 pound load for three miles in 45 minutes or less.

Physical Demands: The incumbent must be able to work under extreme physical exertion regularly working 16 hour shifts or longer on the fireline. Work on the fireline requires considerable strenuous physical exertion.Work Environment: The majority of work is performed outdoors in a wide variety of weather and terrain conditions or in a crowded airplane.This is a primary firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). The position is subject to maximum entry age (MEA) requirements. The MEA for this position shall not exceed age 37. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. See Required Documents Section.FACT SHEET for Fire Positions:EducationSee Qualifications SectionAdditional informationDOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit .The new Special Base Rate (SBR) Salary Table for Federal wildland firefighters, General Wildland Firefighter (GW) pay plan effective March 23, 2025 was used to indicate the salary in this announcement. Salaries may vary dependent upon location selected. Once released, you will be able to access the new pay schedule through this link:Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for .Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM’s Career Transition Resources website at or . If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well-qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form.CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they exceed minimum qualifications for this position.Reemployment Priority List (RPL): The RPL is the mechanism agencies use to give reemployment consideration to their former competitive service employees separated by a RIF or who have fully recovered from a compensable injury after more than one year. If you are currently on a RPL, you may be given priority consideration.Certain incentives, such as, Recruitment, Relocation, or Student Loan Repayment, may be authorized to eligible selectees. If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis, and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: , or , orGovernment facilities are required to provide a smoke free environment for their employees. Smoking will be permitted only in designated areas.

• Benefits

Expected salary

$75698 – 98414 per year

Location

Fairbanks, AK

Job date

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 00:37:34 GMT

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