Outreach Notice
FORESTRY TECH (FUELS)
(DFUEL)
GS-0462-6/7
REGION 1
CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST
ASHLAND RANGER DISTRICT
fs.usda.gov/custer
The Custer National Forest is outreaching for a Fuels Technician position on the Ashland Ranger District in Ashland, Montana. The position is permanent full time and will serve as the GS-0462-6/7 Forestry Technician (Fuels) FS0932/FS0933. The position is subject to the Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) Standard and Guide, as designated by the W.O. Fire and Aviation Management.
A referral list will be requested on January 3rd, 2014.
www.usajobs.gov
Announcement #: OCR14-462-DFUEL-6/7G (MERIT) for permanent Federal employees or
OCR14-462-DFUEL-6/7DP (DEMO) for US Citizens
Job Title: Forestry Tech (FUELS)
Duty Location: Ashland, MT
Position Information: Full Time - Permanent
Series and Grade: GS-0462-06/07
Program Overview
The Ashland Ranger District maintains a proactive Inter-agency fuels and fire suppression program. The Forest Service maintains fuels and Rx responsibilities and BLM out of Fort Howes has suppression responsibilities on the District. Both programs collaborate together on projects including some sharing of positions. The District averages 50-60 fires per year. The majority of fires are lightning caused, with July and August being the busiest months. The District has an active fuels management program, treating 500 acres of mechanical fuels reduction and 1,000 to 2,000 acres of prescribed fire annually. The primary Rx season being April to May and September to October. This is an integrated fuels program, and employees are expected to be available and participate in all aspects of the program. Fuels employees also regularly do work for other functional areas on the district, such as assistance with Range and Rec.
Duties
Performs work in fuels management, wildland fire prevention (pre-suppression) and suppression. This includes planning as well as implementation with the expectation of coordinating 2-3 seasonals on saw and other mechanical fuels projects
Works on prescribed fire plans, fuels project planning, assists in monitoring fire behavior, evaluating fire effects, identifying potential problems and making basic recommendations.
Assists in conducting field reconnaissance of prescribed fire/fuels treatment units, summarizes field findings and makes basic recommendations on appropriate prescriptive criteria for meeting program objectives.
Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical capabilities and other duties as assigned. Duties listed are at the full performance level.
Minimum Federal Qualification Requirements
This position has been identified as a Moderate Complexity Supervisory Fire Engine Operator in the Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) Standard. The selective placement factors for a DFUELS are:
Primary NWCG Core Requirement: Squad Boss (FFT1)
Secondary NWCG Core Requirement: Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5)
Qualifying experience for the GS-6 level includes one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5. Qualifying experience for the GS-7 level includes one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-6. Specialized experience is experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Substitution of Education for Experience:
For the GS-06 there is no substitution of education for experience for this position.
The experience requirements for the GS-7 level may be met by completion of one (1) year of graduate level education in a position-related field of forestry or natural resources management.
Combination of Education and Experience:
For the GS-06 there is no combination of education and experience for this position.
For the GS-07 equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements.
Selective Placement Factors:
A minimum 90 days experience performing wildland fire suppression duties as a member of an organized fire suppression crew or comparable unit that utilized knowledge of wildland fire suppression, containment or control techniques and practices under various conditions.
FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). At least 90 days of 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.
How to Apply
1. Only on-line applications are accepted through USAJobs at www.usajobs.gov
2. Applicants who have not applied through USAJobs before must create a new profile.
3. If you have previously applied for this position through other online services, you will need to re-apply with your USAJobs profile.
4. This is a continuous open announcement, and you have to check “Ashland, Montana” to make it on our referral list. We will request a referral list on 01/03/2014. You must have your application posted prior to this date to be considered for this position.
5. In USAJOBS, apply to OCR14-462-DFUEL-6/7G (MERIT) for permanent Federal employees
OCR14-462-DFUEL-6/7DP (DEMO) for US Citizens
6. Attach IQCS records, college transcripts, most recent SF50 and any additional pertinent records
Interested applicants should respond to Ted Frazer, District AFMO, at or by calling 406-784-2335 x 113.
Community Information
Custer National Forest
The 1.2 million acres of land on the Custer National Forest lies predominantly in south central and south eastern Montana, with approximately 74,000 acres in South Dakota. They are scattered from the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park to the northwestern corner of South Dakota. It is about 400 road miles between the eastern and western-most districts on the Forest. Both the Ashland and Camp Crook District offices are located in rural locations. The Beartooth Ranger District, in Red Lodge, MT is typical of a Mountain resort community. The Ashland Ranger District is located about 120 miles southeast of Billings. The Sioux Ranger District office is located in the northwest corner of South Dakota at Camp Crook, approximately 270 miles from Billings. The Custer National Forest is currently in the process of combining with the Gallatin National Forest.
Ashland Ranger District
The Ashland Ranger District is located in southeast Montana approximately 120 miles from Billings, Montana. The District cover 436,000 acres in Rosebud and Powder River County. It is the largest contiguous block of Federal ownership in eastern Montana. This District has the largest grazing program of any National Forest Ranger District in the Nation. The District has 11 employees and shares summer crews with the BLM which hold suppression responsibilities for the District and has their work center based out of Fort Howes on the Forest.
Large wildfires impacted the counties containing the Ashland RD, with over 155,000 acres burned on the District.
Town of Ashland
Ashland has a population of approximately 400 people and is situated on the Tongue River, a tributary to the Yellowstone River. The town contains two grocery stores, two gas stations, four churches, one hardware store, an automotive/tire repair shop, one bank, a heritage living center and a medical clinic. The St. Labre Indian School is located here, which is the largest single employer in the area. In addition to a medical clinic, there is a first responder (EMT) service.
Ashland has several options regarding schools. There is a local public, K-8 grade school and the St. Labre Indian School, K-12. Grades 9-12 have the option of attending high school in Broadus or Colstrip, both are located approximately 40 miles from Ashland.
The cities of Billings (Montana’s largest city-approx. 100,000), Miles City and Sheridan, Wyoming, are within 120-mile radius of Ashland and the amenities offered by these cities are available on a day trip. Ashland provides a rural living environment with access to urban facilities.
Geographic Characteristics:
The district, which is approximately 500,000 acres, is a unique landscape of ponderosa pine forest and woodland with large upland grassland parks. The topography is marked by sandstone/scoria outcrops and cliffs that create distinctive, forested “badlands” appearance. The District has large range, fuels, and fire programs.
The climate is dry, mid-continental with summer day temperatures averaging in the high 90’s and evening temperatures averaging in the 60’s. Winter temperatures range from below zero on the coldest days to the mid-40’s on warmer days. Precipitation averages 13-18 inches per year.
Housing: Government housing is available.
Further information about the Custer National Forest can be found at: fs.usda.gov/custer
Further Information about Ashland, Montana can be found at: www.city-data.com/city/Ashland-Montana.html
CUSTER NATIONAL FORESTOUTREACH RESPONSE FORM
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Position Identification
Position Title: / Forestry Technician (FUELS)Series/Grade: / GS-0462-6/7
Location: / Ashland, MT
Applicant Information
Name: / E-Mail Address:
Current Title, Series, Grade
Current Organization/Location:
Work Phone: / Alternate Phone:
Current Appointment: / Permanent Temporary Term Not Current Employee
If you are NOT a current permanent (career or career conditional) employee, are you eligible to be hired under any of the following authorities:
Reinstatement
Disabled Veteran with 30% Compensable Disability
Veteran’s Employment Opportunities Act of 1998
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Demonstration Project
(external recruitment from the general public)
Position Interest
I would like to be considered for this position in the series identified.
Series currently identified and classified
Other appropriate series for which I am qualified
Target grade level currently identified
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