Wildland Firefighter​/Prevention - Authority

The U.S. Department of the Interior is hiring a Wildland Firefighter (Prevention) in Cherokee, NC. This role involves implementing fire prevention education programs, evaluating wildfire prevention strategies, and collaborating with fire management staff. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and meet various requirements, including background checks and medical screenings. Experience at the GS-8 level is required for applicants.
Position: Wildland Firefighter (Prevention) - Direct Hire Authority
Location: Cherokee

This Wildland Firefighter (Prevention) position serves as the Prevention Mitigation Specialist with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Eastern Regional Office, Division of Wildland Fire Management, Duty Station:
Cherokee, North Carolina; and will be filled from Standard PD#: DX01600.

This announcement will be used to fill vacancies utilizing the Direct-Hire Authority (5

CFR 337.201). Category rating, veteran's preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do NOT apply for this vacancy.

Duties:
• Consolidates supporting documentation and implements unit level fire prevention education programs.
• Evaluates various wildland fire prevention and mitigation program packages and presentations.
• Facilitates wildland fire prevention and mitigation programs and activities.
• Implements comprehensive local level fire prevention education programs.
• Provides advisory opinions on annual program budget in compliance with program policy.
• Frequently monitors wildfire prevention and mitigation activities to evaluate effectiveness of the wildfire prevention plan. Reports annual accomplishments.
• Collaborates with fire management staff across all program areas in developing a coordinated approach to wildfire hazard and risk reduction in the wildland urban interface.
• Develops, coordinates, and disseminates internal and external information pertaining to wildfire prevention and mitigation activities at the unit/tribal level.
Requirements:
• U.S. Citizenship Required
• You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit
• You may be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
• If you are a male applicant born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
• This position has been designated as an Incidental Operator under the Indian Affairs Motor Vehicle Safety Program, therefore, the incumbent will be required annually to acknowledge and certify possession of a valid state driver's license.
• This position is subject to pre-employment and annual medical screening and must pass the appropriate work capacity test.
• This is a Testing Designated Position and is subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
Qualifications:
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

GS-9: 1 year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the GS-08 level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to, develops and implements wildland fire prevention and mitigation plans; coordinates wildland fire educational programs with tribes, other agencies, institutions, and/or communities; serves as a spokesperson on controversial issues or policies to media, interest groups, public, tribal leaders and other governmental officials;

leads in the development and implementation of prevention campaigns for wildfire causes; and provides assistance to, and/or serves as a qualified wildland fire investigator.

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…