Wildland Fire Job Vacancy

***OUTREACH NOTICE***

Wildland Fire Job Vacancy

Forestry Technician (Fire Engine Crewmember), GS-0462-04

Permanent Seasonal 13/13

Tongass National Forest

Thorne Bay Ranger District

Position Title:Forestry Technician (Fire Suppression Crewmember-Engine) GS-0462-04

Tour of Duty: 13/13 Permanent Seasonal. 13/13 means you are guaranteed to work 13 Pay Periods (26 weeks) and are laid off for 13 Pay Periods each year. Work is typically from April-September. From October –March, you’ll be furloughed.

Duty Station: Thorne Bay, Alaska

Government Housing: Barracks available to rent

Transfer of Station: Not available for Demo

The Tongass National Forest is currently outreaching for a qualifiedpermanent-seasonal13/13 to fill a Forestry Technician (Fire Engine Crewmember), GS-0462-04 position to be located at Hoonah, Alaska. For additional information on this position or location information, please contact Robert Berney at 406-250-7836.

To respond to this outreach please fill out the form at the end of this document and submit to Una Pesata at by December 16, 2017. This vacancy will be advertised in the near future at USAJobs ( as an individual DEMO vacancy announcement. Those who reply to this Outreach notice will be notified of the Job Announcement number. The Fire Activity is categorized as Low Complexity.

Description of Duties:
Serves as a crewmember on a type 6 engine. Works as a trainee engine operator;operating the pump and making hose lays under the direction of the engine foreman. May drive and operate the fire engine or apparatus. Responsible for positioning the fire engine or apparatus for safe and efficient operation.
Services and makes minor repairs to engine; inspects, checks and services accessories such as pump, water lines, tank, reels, or pump power plant; and keeps in fire readiness. Inspects, cleans and stows hose.
Receives training and performs simple engine operation duties. Performs basic fire line activities such as line construction, hose layout, operations of pumps and accessories, lopping and scattering of fuels using hand tools and holding, patrolling, monitoring, and mop-up operations. Moves dirt, chops brush, small trees, etc. to construct fire line. Is responsible for observing the rules of wildland firefighting safety. Applies practices and techniques to minimize resource damage.
Independently or with one or two other crewmembers may be assigned to carry out specialized assignments such as tree falling, backfire and burnout, mobile and stationary engine attack.
Serves as a skilled wildland firefighter on an organized crew during prescribed burns, monitoring and controlling the fire, and collecting data on fire weather and fire behavior. Also performs project work such as fuel inventory and hazard fuel reduction projects.
Participates in fire and safety training in the techniques, practices and methods of fire suppression and in the safe, efficient operation and use of tools, equipment and vehicles used in fire line activities, with emphasis on those used in the particular function to which assigned.
Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills. Participates in safety sessions and fire critiques. Ensures own and others' welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignments.
Cleans, maintains, reconditions, and stores firefighting tools and equipment. Inventories fire supplies and equipment.
May be assigned to fire lookout to provide detection and reporting of wildfires. Reports smoke and fire to a dispatcher giving location, estimated size and other pertinent information. Reports weather and fire behavior information keeping the dispatcher and/or other officials informed of current conditions.
May perform project work such as fuel inventory, preparing associated reports, and hazard fuel reduction projects.
May perform project work such as road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, and miscellaneous equipment and facilities maintenance.
Performs as a member of a fire crew assigned to suppress the full range of difficulty and complexity of fires.
NOTE: As a field going position working in brown or black bear habitat, this position is required to be firearm certified for personal and/or crew safety. Executive Order 12564 requires employees designated to carry a firearm to be subject to random drug testing. This position will be subject to random drug testing and will be placed in the applicant testing pool. Additional certifications such as: chainsaw operator and boat operator are encouraged but not required.
Qualification Requirements
Must possess a valid state driver’s license.
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 ARDUOUS level is a ''condition of employment.'' The Arduous fitness (Pack) Test requires completing a three (3) mile hike within forty-five (45) minutes, while carrying a forty-five (45) pound pack.
Bargaining Unit Status: Eligible
FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a primary/rigorous firefighter position under the provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS).
Performs other duties as assigned.

The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook Manual is available for review at any federal personnel office OR on the Internet at

About Thorne Bay:

Thorne Bay, Alaska is on Prince of Wales Island in southern southeast Alaska. The Thorne Bay and Craig Ranger Districts encompass approximately two million acres on Prince of Wales Island and adjacent islands. Prince of Wales is approximately 140 miles long and 30 miles wide. About 6,000 people live on Prince of Wales Island and of those about approximately 500 people live in Thorne Bay. Transportation to and from Prince of Wales is by Inter-island Ferry or small plane. The only airport is in Klawock so much of the fixed-wing travel is by floatplane. Ketchikan has a bigger airport and is a short flight from Klawock.

All of Southeast Alaska experiences a maritime climate. The heavy precipitation months occur fromOctober through January and the driest months are May through August. The yearlyaverage precipitation in Thorne Bay is 100 inches but precipitation can range up to 200inches on parts of Prince of Wales. Snow usually melts soon after if falls in Thorne Bay but accumulates to over ten feet deep in the higher elevations. Temperatures range from highs in the upper 60's and lower 70's in the summer to lows in the 30's in the winter.Temperatures very rarely fall below 15 degrees in the winter. Daylight ranges from 18 hours on the longest days in June to seven hours on the shortest days in December.

The topography of Prince of Wales is steep. The highest mountain peaks are just under

4,000 feet. The area is mostly heavily forested with hemlock and Sitka spruce. Sitka blacktailed deer, black bear, wolves, and bald eagles make this coastal rain forest their home.

The abundance of coho, pink, sockeye, and chum salmon and steelhead in the streams and king salmon in saltwater make the area an angler's paradise. Halibut, crab, shrimp, clams, sea cucumbers, and other seafood are plentiful in the waters surrounding the island.Whales, sea lions, seals, sea otters, and porpoise heavily populate the waters.

Parts of Prince of Wales have been extensively roaded in support of logging operations.

The island includes about 120 miles of paved road, and 2,000 miles of shot rock logging

roads. The road system provides access to much of the island, while some areas remain

unroaded in a wilderness state. Many unroaded areas can be fairly easily accessed via

saltwater in good weather. The many outlying islands protect Prince of Wales from the

rough seas of the open Pacific providing ample boating opportunities. Outdoor recreationalopportunities include fishing, boating, kayaking, hunting, and photography, hiking, biking, anddiving. An active parks and recreation program provides numerous organized recreational activities.

Health care services on Prince of Wales include clinics in Craig and Klawock staffed by

physicians. These facilities treat minor injuries and illnesses. Thorne Bay has a part-time

satellite clinic. The nearest hospital is in Ketchikan. The island has two dental clinics, a

physical therapist and an eye doctor.

The economy is tied heavily to the rich natural resource base of the area. Commercial

fishing remains a primary occupation for many residents. Logging has provided much of the infrastructure on the island. Tourism plays an increasingly important role, primarily during the summer months. A number of charter fishing lodges operate in Prince of Wales communities. Construction jobs provided much employment in recent years in surrounding communities.

The cost of living in Alaska is high but locality pay is available at time of hire. There is no state income tax in Alaska.

Living on Prince of Wales Island is truly an experience. The public spirit and rich native

culture is long remembered by people after they leave. However, it is not for everyone!

Some folks move on after a few years while others find the life-style and natural

environment so appealing they spend their career here. Be sure to ask questions and give

thought to the needs of you and your family before you apply.

Outreach Response

GS-0462-04 Forestry Technician (Fire suppression Engine Crewmember)

PLEASE RESPOND BY 12/16/2017

If you are interested in this position, please send this Outreach response to Una Pesata . If you have any additional questions please contact Robert Berney at 406-250-7836.

NAME: ______

ADDRESS: ______

PHONE: ______EMAIL: ______

Are you currently a Federal Employee? ______YES ______NO

If Yes, Current Agency______

Current Title/Series/Grade:______

Current Duty Station: ______

Type of Appointment you are currently under: ______(e.g., Career, Career-Conditional, Excepted VRA, etc.):

Attach Resume/Transcripts/IQCS master record if available and briefly describe why you will be a quality candidate for this position (Enter below; it will expand as needed)

If not a Federal Employee:
Current Employer:
Current Position Title & Salary:
Type of Appointment / Permanent Term Temporary
If you are not a current permanent (career or career conditional) employee, are you eligible for appointment under any of the following special authorities?
Former Peace Corps
Person with Disabilities
Reinstatement Eligibility
Other
Veteran’s Employment Opportunities Act of 1998
Veterans Recruitment Act / Veteran with 30% Compensable Disability
Spouse of a member of the armed forces serving on active duty who has orders specifying a permanent change of station (not for training)
Spouse of a 100% disabled service member injured while on active duty
Un-remarried widow or widower of a service member who was killed while performing active duty

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