Wildland Firefighter (Situational Intelligence Assistant)
What you'd do
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 (Situation Intelligence Assistant) position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-11 working at the National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) in the following location: Boise, Idaho
Major duties
As a Wildland Firefighter (Situational Intelligence Assistant) your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Independently coordinates fire intelligence activities supporting operations within an interagency coordination center and provides analytical support related to intelligence functions that support wildland fire suppression, preparedness, and prescribed fire activities. Interprets fire danger indices, fuel conditions, weather forecasts, wildfire intelligence center information, and historical fire occurrence data to assess current and anticipated fire activity within the geographic area or nationally, depending on the coordination center assignment. Analyzes fire potential and evaluates burning conditions across fuel models to support fire behavior assessments used by fire managers, agency administrators, and incident management personnel. Evaluates multiple sources of fire intelligence information to identify emerging fire activity trends, potential problem areas, and resource shortages affecting coordination center operations. Prepares intelligence products summarizing fire activity, incident complexity, resource commitments, environmental conditions, and projected fire potential. Provides technical information and analytical support for development or revision of operational guidance, information bulletins, and coordination center procedures related to intelligence activities. Participates in agency and interagency meetings, working groups, and committees related to fire intelligence, predictive services, and coordination center operations.
What you need to qualify
In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below. 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.) Prior Primary Wildland Firefighting Experience: Applicants must have documented prior primary firefighting experience, with substantial service defined as either: At least one full fire season working in a primary wildland firefighting role (e.g., Engine Crew, Fire Effects Crew, Prescribed Fire/Fuels Crew, Hand Crew, Helitack Crew, Hotshot Crew, Smokejumper, Wildland Fire Modules or Fire Suppression Crews, etc.) with a federal, state, tribal, local, or private-sector organization; - OR - At least 14-days of on-the-ground fireline experience (cumulative or consecutive). Prior primary wildland fire experience must be clearly documented in your resume. Note: an IQCS Master Record or equivalent document will not be used to determine or calculate prior primary wildland fire experience eligibility for this requirement. In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional experience is required. Only experience and education obtained by 08/24/2026 will be considered. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. Please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. Minimum Qualification: For the GW-11 level: To qualify for the GW-11 grade level, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GW-09 or higher, within of the Federal service is required. Examples of qualifying experience include but are not limited to: Collecting and consolidating wildland fire incident situation data and assisting in preparing situation reports or briefings; Monitoring fire activity, weather, fuels, and resource status to identify developing issues or potential shortages; Using wildland fire intelligence systems to gather data, produce standard reports, or support users; Communicate with interagency partners to verify incident information and help maintain accurate national resource and incident status; Assist with maintaining reporting procedures, operating plans, and other intelligence related administrative documents. OR At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-10 level, or higher, outside of the Federal service; Examples of qualifying experience include but are not limited to: Directing the collection and consolidation of wildland fire incident situation data and independently preparing situation reports or briefings; Monitoring fire activity, weather, fuels, and resource status to identify developing issues or potential shortages; Using wildland fire intelligence systems to gather data, produce standard reports, or support users; Communicate with interagency partners to verify incident information and help maintain accurate national resource and incident status; Maintaining reporting procedures, operating plans, and other intelligence related administrative documents. 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. *Applicants must meet all minimum qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the Job Announcement. Secondary Firefighter Retirement Coverage - Applicants for this secondary administrative fire fighter position under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d), must possess knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of wildland firefighting as demonstrated by direct wildland firefighting experience. In order to receive credit, you must provide a written description of your experience in wildland firefighting. Education without hands-on wildland firefighting experience does not meet this requirement. Periods of wildland firefighting experience, gained through militia and rural fire departments, can also be credited. Wildland fire is defined as any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland. Two distinct types of wildland fire have been defined and include wildfire and prescribed fires as follows: Wildfire: Unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires. Prescribed Fires: Planned ignitions. This description includes only fire line experience on a Prescribed Fire; it does not include experience in the planning stages. Prescribed fire experience must be supplemented by fire suppression experience in order to be creditable as previous wildland firefighting experience. Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary and performed in an office or coordination center environment. Duties involve extended computer use and may require long work hours during emergency operations. Working Conditions: Work is performed primarily in a coordination center environment. During periods of high fire activity the incumbent may work extended hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.
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