Wildland Fire Training Officer - Direct Hire Authority

This Training Specialist position serves as the regional Wildland Fire Training Officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Great Plains Regional Office, Division of Natural Resources, Branch of Fire Management, Duty Station in Aberdeen, South Dakota. This announcement will be used to fill vacancies utilizing the Direct-Hire Authority (5CFR 337.201). Category rating, veteran's preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do NOT apply for this vacancy.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for Administrative and Management Positions and Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-1712: Training Instruction Series). All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR GS-1712: A. Undergraduate or Graduate Education - in a major field of study that is directly related to this position. Examples of directly related education: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position such as environmental science, environmental management, earth science, and atmospheric science, or closely related to Training Instruction discipline appropriate to the position. -OR- B. Specialized Experience - that demonstrates practical knowledge of this position and of the methods and techniques of Instruction. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Teaching or instructing in an adult education program, secondary school, college, military installation, or industrial establishment in the appropriate field(s). Supervising or administering a training program. Development or review of training/course materials, aids, devices, etc., and evaluation of training results. Work in the occupation or subject-matter field of the position to be filled that required training or instructing others on a regular basis. IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR THE GS-1712 SERIES, APPLICANTS MUST ALSO HAVE THE FOLLOWING: GS-09: 1 year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal Service grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service (as described below); OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL. B or J.D., in a field related to this position. The specialized experience qualifying for the GS-09 level must include at least 2 of the 4 following duties: 1.) Takes part in fire management training for a Fire Management Program, assisted with training needs through the design and development of comprehensive fire management training curriculum, courses, and materials; 2.) Monitors and tracks the development of training programs to achieve workforce capability and capacity goals at a local level; 3.) Provides oversight in areas of administrative operations in different components of the organization. 4.) Assists with defining viable career paths to ensure future fire, fuels, and aviation management personnel achieve experience, training, and education; examines mechanism for career advising; and fosters student success. GS-11: 1 year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal Service grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service (as described below); OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M., in a field related to this position. The specialized experience qualifying for the GS-11 level must include at least 3 of the 5 following duties: 1.) Provide program leadership and direction in fire management training for a Fire Management Program. Works with the regional and unit fire management officers to assist with training needs through the design and development of comprehensive fire management training curriculum, courses, and materials; 2.) Monitors and tracks the development of training programs to achieve workforce capability and capacity goals.; 3.) Coordinates the development of annual program of work and budget proposals to support regional training and workforce development programs. coordinates budget development with other staff areas and coordinates the annual reporting of program accomplishments; 4.) expertise in all areas of administrative operations in different components of the organization. Prior Wildland Firefighting Experience: This is a secondary-administrative position in an organization having a firefighting mission, and is clearly in an established career path. Prior firefighting experience, as gained by substantial service in a primary firefighter position or equivalent experience outside the Federal government is a MANDATORY PREREQUISITE. FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This position is covered under the secondary/administrative firefighter special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c)(CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d)(FERS) when it is filled by an incumbent who transfers directly from a primary or another secondary law enforcement or firefighting position with no break in service to this position. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent will depend upon his or her individual work history. You may meet the qualification requirements, but not be eligible for special retirement coverage. If you are not eligible for special retirement coverage, you will be placed in the regular retirement system. FERS TRANSITION REQUIREMENT: To be eligible for Secondary retirement coverage under FERS, an employee must: 1) transfer directly (without a break in service exceeding 3 days) from a primary position to a secondary position, AND 2) complete 3 years of service in a primary rigorous position including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld, AND 3) must be continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a primary rigorous position, except for any break in employment from a secondary position that began with involuntary separation (not for cause). It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your special retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your work history or other documentation that demonstrates work history of approved covered positions). You must let this office know if you are in a Primary coverage position. NOTE: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.