Wildland Firefighter Apprentice - Direct Hire Authority

This position will serve in a developmental trainee capacity as a Wildland Firefighter Apprentice within the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort Apache Agency, Branch of Fire Management, Duty Station: Whiteriver, Arizona. 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: All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. To Qualify for the GS-03 grade level you must meet one of the following: A. Six (6) months of general work experience. The 6 months of general experience is any work experience or military service that demonstrated the ability to follow directions and to read, understand, and retain a variety of instructions, regulations, and procedures and that otherwise demonstrates the ability to perform or learn to perform the duties of the position. NOTE: Appropriate firefighter training may be substituted for experience on a month-for-month basis. Firefighter training obtained as part of a high school curriculum- may be substituted for the 6 months of general experience required for this GS-3 position. OR B. Successful completion of one (1) year related education or training above the high school level (30 semester hours or 45 quarter-hours). OR C. Combination of education and work experience that when combined meet 100% of the qualification requirements. For example, 3 months of general experience as described in A above (50% of the experience requirement), and 15 semester hours of the required education as described in B above (50% of the education requirement) when combined meets the total requirements for the position. To Qualify for the GS-04 grade level you must meet one of the following: A. Six (6) months of general work experience and six (6) months of specialized work experience. The 6 months of general experience is any work experience or military service that demonstrated the ability to follow directions and to read, understand, and retain a variety of instructions, regulations, and procedures and that otherwise demonstrates the ability to perform or learn to perform the duties of the position. And the 6 months of specialized experience must be equivalent to at least the GS-3 grade level in the Federal (1) controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade; (2) forest fire control, prevention, or suppression work; (3) rescue operations; (4) detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards; (5)operation of fire communications equipment when it requires specialized knowledge of firefighting techniques, equipment, and procedures to prevent and manage fires; (6) controlling hazardous materials incidents and/or (7) developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention. OR B. Successful completion of a two (2) year course of study in an accredited college or university (60 semester hour or 90 quarter-hours) in Fire Training, Fire Science, Fire Technology or other directly related fields of study, such as forestry, range management or conservation, or natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography). OR C. Combination of education and work experience that when combined meet 100% of the qualification requirements. To Qualify for the GS-05 grade level you must meet one of the following: A. One (1) year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience work include on-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention, or suppression work as a skilled wildland firefighter, utilizing a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment. In addition, such duties may include, but are not limited to (1) controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade; (2) forest fire control, prevention, or suppression work; (3) rescue operations; (4)detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards; (5) operation of fire communications equipment when it requires specialized knowledge of firefighting techniques, equipment, and procedures to prevent and manage fires; (6) controlling hazardous materials incidents and/or (7) developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention. OR B. Successful completion of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in an accredited college or university (120semester hour or 180 quarter hours) with major study in Wildland Fire Science, Wildland Fire Training, Wildland Fire Technology, or other related fields of study which included 24 semester hours of coursework such as forestry, range management or conservation, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography). OR C. Combination of education and work experience that when combined meet 100% of the qualification requirements. MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE (MEA) AND FIREFIGHTER SPECIAL RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a Primary/Rigorous Firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) (FERS). The maximum entry-age (MEA) for this position shall not exceed age 37, unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian law enforcement or firefighter experience, or you are a preference eligible veteran. Applicants must be 18 years of age but not have reached their 37th birthday by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants over the MEA of 37 MUST have enough prior covered service under the Firefighter Special Retirement benefit to be eligible for re-entry into a primary firefighter position. These positions are covered by the special enhanced annuity retirement provisions for Federal Firefighters and Law Enforcement officers and have a mandatory retirement age of 57. Two exceptions are allowed: 1) an applicant has prior Federal service in documented special retirement covered position(s) sufficient to count toward 20 years of covered service on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57; or 2) an applicant is a qualified veterans' preference eligible, in which case the MEA is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Applicants are responsible for submitting all supporting documentation prior to the closing date of a vacancy for an MEA determination. Acceptable forms of documentation consist of SF-50's showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable Federal civilian appointments or copies of agency approved certification letters based upon individual claims for coverage. Failure to provide this documentation with your application may result in the loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement. The duties of this position are so rigorous that employment is limited to physically vigorous individuals who must meet established maximum age and physical qualification requirements. Physical Demands: Arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity. Work Environment: Forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing. Firefighters may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (e.g., boots, hardhat, gloves, flame resistant clothing).