Apache-Sitgreaves NFs
OUTREACH NOTICE
USFS Region 3, Springerville, Arizona
GS-0401-Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist
Permanent Position
The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests will soon be filling a permanent position as a Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialistat the Supervisor’s Office with a duty station of Springerville, Arizona. This is a rewarding and critical position with challenging opportunities involving the management of the largest current stewardship contract in the nation (White Mountain Stewardship Project), interfacing with three other National Forests to form the 4-FRI (Four Forest Restoration Initiative – to treat and restore 2.4 million acres of ponderosa pine forests in Arizona, and our ongoing Forest Plan Revision process. In addition, this position will help manage the long-term rehabilitation and restoration needs of the one-half million acre Wallow Fire, which burned in the summer of 2011.
This Outreach is a pre-announcement, Vacancy Announcement, and Open Continuous Recruitment (OCR). Persons interested in this position should complete the Outreach form located at the bottom of this page, and apply in USA JOBS. For more information contact Jerry Drury, at #928-333-6318.
TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE PERMANENT POSITION:Complete the attached outreach form and submit both the Outreach form and a resume to Jerry Drury, Natural Resources Staff Officer, ()) by COB March 4, 2013. If you have questions about the position, please contact Jerry Drury at #928.333.6318.
How to apply: Applicants should apply through USA JOBS when the job becomes available in the near future. The application deadline will close in the USA JOBS system two weeks after the job announcement is posted in USA Jobs. Qualified applications will be pulled soon thereafter.
This job will be advertised under both merit promotion (internal), and demonstration project (external) procedures under separate announcements. Applicants who wish to be considered under both procedures must apply to each announcement and follow specific instructions applicable to each procedure.
This is an OCR position, announcementnumber OCR13-401-FFUEL(H)-11G &DP.
GS-401 QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Those who are interested must meet the qualification requirements for the GS-401 series that are covered by the standards for Professional and Scientific Positions.The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review on the Internet at
ABOUT THIS POSITION
This non-supervisory position serves in a key fire management position in a field fire management organization as a Fire Management Specialist (Prescribed Fire and Fuel). The incumbent has program responsibility for prescribed fire, fuels management, and smoke management. The incumbent provides professional advice and assistance to meet resource management objectives with prescribed fire and/or multiple objective wildland fires.
Other important Information:
This position is categorized as a High Complexity Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist (PFFS) position in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard and Guide as designated by the W.O. Fire and Aviation Management. The IFPM selective placement factors (SPF) for this position must be attained by Oct 1, 2010, and thereafter must be met prior to entrance into the position as a condition of hire. Refer to the Forest Service IFPM Standard Position Description Crosswalk for a full description of the selective placement factors. Ninety (90) days of experience as a primary/rigorous firefighter or equivalent experience outside federal employment is a basic qualification for this position. This position matches PD# AFM022, which was approved by USDA on 06/28/05, C5, for CSRS and FERS secondary firefighter coverage under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) and U.S.C. 8412 (d). WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for certain IFPM or FS-FPM positions: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS, MODERATE, or LIGHT level is a condition of employment. The arduous, moderate, or light WCT is dependent on the incumbent's NWCG (National Wildfire Coordinating Group) incident management qualifications required for their IFPM or FS-FPM position. Bargaining Unit Status: Eligible - Coverage is dependent upon unit location. FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. Performsother duties as assigned.
Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) Standard:
This position has been identified as a Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist (PFFS) position in the Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) Standard, and will be subject to minimum qualification standards (MQS) that will become selective placement factors on October 1, 2013. Applicants hired prior to October 1, 2013 do not need to possess all of the MQS, but must attain them prior to or on that date to remain in the position.
- Key Fire Management Position: Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist (PFFS)(High)NWCG Incident Management Qualifications:
•Primary: Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2) (Currency required)
-and-
•Secondary: Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) (Currency required)
-or-
•Task Force Leader (TFLD) (Currency required)
Currency Requirement: After Oct 1, 2013, incumbent must provide documented evidence that they are or have been fully qualified in the past for the above NWCG qualifications. A copy of the IQCS master record (or agency equivalent) should be submitted along with the application as supporting documentation to validate NWCG Qualifications and Additional Required Training.
THE APACHE-SITGREAVES NATIONAL FORESTS
The Apache and the Sitgreaves National Forests were administratively combined in 1974 and are now managed as one unit from the Forest Supervisor's Office. The forest is 2,110,000 acres in size and is located in east-central Arizona along the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountains. The forest covers portions of Coconino, Navajo, Apache, and Greenlee counties; borders the Coconino, Tonto, and Gila National Forests; and borders the White Mountain Apache and San Carlos Indian Reservations.
The Apache-Sitgreaves has 34 lakes and reservoirs and more than 680 miles of rivers and streams - more than can be found in any other Southwestern National Forest. The White Mountains contain the headwaters of several Arizona Rivers including the Black, the Little Colorado, and the San Francisco. The forest ranges in elevation from 3500 feet near Clifton to nearly 11,500 feet on Mount Baldy. The congressionally proclaimed Mount Baldy, Escudilla, and Bear Wallow wilderness areas and the Blue Range Primitive Area make the forest one of America's premier backcountry Forests.
The management concerns on the Apache-Sitgreaves include the health and restoration of the forest, watersheds, and ecosystems, and providing sustainable recreation and livestock grazing programs. Over one-quarter of the forest (538,000 acres) was burned by the 2011 Wallow Fire. The highest priority work is associated with rehabilitation of the burned area, reducing the dangers associated with wildfire in the urban interface, forest restoration, and Forest Plan Revision.There will be continued opportunities to work with forest leadership as they incorporate restoration and recovery into the forest-wide program of work.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Springerville is located in East-Central Arizona on U.S. 60 and State Highways 180-191, approximately 220 miles Northeast of Phoenix and sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Combined with a mild climate and proximity to a wealth of outdoor recreation year round, ranging from hunting and fishing to winter skiing, Springerville is a haven for recreational enthusiasts in Arizona and New Mexico. The towns of Springerville and Eagar are contiguous and make up the area referred to as Round Valley. A variety of industries shape the economic profile. In the early days, cattle and sheep ranching were principal economic activities, but these have gradually been augmented by tourism, agriculture, construction, forestry, and retail sales in support of the 6,000 local residents.
Springerville and Eagar offer a range of facilities to their residents, including a library, hospital, museum, and numerous athletic facilities as well as a campus for Northland Pioneer College. Sunrise Ski area, located on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, is 30 minutes away. Springerville is also home to Casa Malpais, a nationally recognized archeological ruin. There are several local restaurants offering a variety of food and drink.
There are two supermarkets and a variety of convenience stores located in the Round Valley. There is also one drug store, one Alco (mini Wal-Mart style) store, automotive parts stores and several specialty stores located in the Round Valley area. Shopping in Pinetop-Lakeside and Show Low 45 miles away includes Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Home Depot, larger grocery stores, clothing and shoe stores, and many other specialty stores. There are two banks located in Eagar and one bank in Springerville. There are seven motels ranging from Best Western to local owned.
WEBSITES
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests:
Apache County Chamber of Commerce:
Town of Springerville:
Town of Eagar:
Town of Pinetop-Lakeside:
Town of Show Low:
OUTREACH RESPONSE FORM
SOUTHWESTERN REGION
APACHE-SITGREAVES NATIONAL FORESTS
Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist,Springerville, AZ
GS-401-11
Please return your completed outreach form and resume by COB March 4, 2013, by email to Jerry Drury, Natural Resources Staff Officer,
NAME:E-MAIL:
MAILING ADDRESS:
PHONE:
Agency: / USFS / BLM / Other
Type of Appointment: / Permanent / Temporary / Term / VRA / PWD / Other
Current Title/Series/Grade:
Current Location (Region/Forest/District):
If not a current permanent (career or career conditional) employee, are you eligible to be hired under any of the following special authorities to the best of your knowledge?
______PERSON WITH DISABILITIES
______VETERANS READJUSTMENT
______DISABLED VETERANS WITH 30% COMPENSABLE DISABILITY
______VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPROTUNITIES ACT OF 1998
______FORMER PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER
______A STUDENT CAREER EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
______OTHER______
Briefly explain your interest in this position and attach a resume:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN OUR VACANCY!
The USDA Apache-Sitgreaves Forest is an equal opportunity employer.