Wildland Firefighter (Fuels) - Direct Hire Authority
Bureau of Land Management
Summary
This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority
Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource.
1 position to be filled in Craig, CO, Information can be found by clicking on the location name listed.
Overview
- Accepting applications
-
Open & closing dates
07/10/2025 to 07/17/2025
-
Salary
$61,950 - $93,743 per year
-
Pay scale & grade
GW 7 - 9
- Help
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
- Craig, CO
-
-
Remote job
No
-
Telework eligible
Yes—The BLM has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.
-
Travel Required
25% or less - Travel is required to attend training, conferences, workshops, and/or field visits. Frequent travel will be required during peak fire activity.
-
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
-
Appointment type
Permanent - This is a permanent appointment.
-
Work schedule
Full-time
-
Service
Competitive
-
Promotion potential
9 - If filled at a lower grade level, subsequent promotion to the next grade level will be processed without further competition dependent upon administrative approval and the continuing need and performance of higher-level duties.
-
Job family (Series)
-
Supervisory status
No
-
Security clearance
-
Drug test
Yes
-
Position sensitivity and risk
-
Trust determination process
-
Financial disclosure
-
Bargaining unit status
-
Announcement number
FADHA-25-12761428-CG
-
Control number
840422000
This job is open to
- The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
- Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.
Clarification from the agency
All U.S. Citizens - No previous federal service is required. This position is being advertised under an OPM government-wide Direct Hire authority. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.
Videos
Duties
- Participate in planning, implementing, and coordinating all aspects of a fuels management program.
- Conducts routine project assessments to determine the condition presence or absence of wildland fuels.
- Collects data on fuel conditions and fire behavior through a variety of methods, including field surveys, computer modeling software, and prescribed treatment methods.
- Identifies fuels management objectives by reviewing various land management plans and recommends the appropriate treatment.
- Participates with higher-graded fuels management staff, fire management officers, and/or specialists in fuels management planning, implementation, and monitoring.
- Conducts routine field reconnaissance of prescribed fire/fuels treatment units, summarizes field findings, and makes basic recommendations on appropriate prescriptive criteria for meeting program objectives.
- Administers routine technical aspects of the prescribed fire plans, ensuring that preparation, ignition, holding, mop-up, and rehabilitation are completed to the standards specified.
- Administers routine technical aspects of mechanical and biological fuels treatment plans, ensures preparation, project layout, implementation and rehabilitation are completed to the standards specified.
- Review project plans and make recommendations for monitoring activities.
- Participates in preparedness reviews, proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and after-action reviews.
- Conducts fuels management inventories and monitoring to document presence, amount, and types of hazardous fuels.
- Participates in the implementation of prescribed fire Operations.
- Plan, conduct surveys and evaluate data to develop treatment prescriptions.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Be sure to read the HOW TO APPLY and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS Sections.
- You cannot hold an active real estate license; nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Land.
- Direct Deposit Required.
- Background Investigation Required.
- Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination. Failure to possess or obtain a favorable determination will result in the cancellation of the offer or will be grounds for termination.
- Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use and to pass the test prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
- May require completion of a one year probationary period.
- Driver’s License required – GSA Form 3607 will be required to be completed during onboarding process.
Qualifications
To qualify for the GS-07 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06) is required. Examples of specialized experience include: 1) Performing duties which provided a basic understanding of wildland fire management concepts, theories and practices including the assessment of fire effects on cultural and/or natural resources. 2) Assisting other fire management staffs in the development of complex presentations; presenting or conducting simple presentations of fire management concepts, topics, information. 3) Researching technical reports and/or other sources to obtain information used by higher graded professionals; applying basic formulas to routine calculations; and/or 4) Participating in the development and/or implementation of wildland fire management plans including carrying out initial attack incident management strategies and tactics to meet the stated resource objectives.
To qualify for the GS-08 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 is required. Examples of work experience include but are not limited to: assisting preparation and implementation of prescribed fire plans; assisting evaluating treatments, monitoring methods and new technologies; assisting with conducting fuels management surveys to document types of hazardous fuels.
To qualify for the GS-09 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-08 is required. Examples of work experience include but are not limited to: preparing and implementing prescribed fire plans; evaluating prescription of treatments, monitoring methods and new technologies; conducting fuels management surveys to document types of hazardous fuels.
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.
Substitution of Education for Experience: There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-06 and above grade levels for the 0456 series.
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.
To meet IFPM requirements, you must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required at time of referral, but may be required to obtain and maintain currency if selected):
A) Engine Boss (ENGB) or Crew Boss (CRWB) or Firing Boss (FIRB) or Helicopter Manager (HMGB) AND;
B) Incident Command Type 4 (ICT4)
You must meet all qualification requirements and Selective Placement Factors by the closing date of the announcement.
Physical Demands: Work in the office is primarily sedentary. Field work does require frequent physical exertion, involving walking over rough terrain, sometimes for extended periods, and working under occasionally inclement (hot, cold, snow, wind, etc.) weather conditions.
Work Environment: Work is performed in both an office and field setting with field work. Field work involves exposure to temperature extremes, both from weather and fire conditions where falling trees and the presence of smoke and/or dust conditions create hazardous conditions.
This is a secondary/administrative firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age policy, the selectee must have prior service in a primary position (3 years of service in primary/rigorous position(s)) and meet the transfer requirement for movement from a primary to secondary position to be eligible for special retirement coverage. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your SF-50). YOU MUST LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN A PRIMARY POSITION.
FACT SHEET for Fire Positions: Information on Special Retirement.
Education
See Qualifications Section.
Additional information
The new Special Base Rate (SBR) Salary Table for Federal wildland firefighters, General Wildland Firefighter (GW) pay plan effective March 23, 2025 was used to indicate the salary in this announcement. Salaries may vary dependent upon location selected. You can access the new pay schedule here.
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/e-verify.
This position is considered a career ladder opportunity, with a full performance level of GS-09. If selected at a lower grade level, you may be non-competitively promoted to the next grade level at the discretion of your supervisor and is contingent upon meeting regulatory and legal requirements for promotion, satisfactory performance, and the availability of higher-level work. Promotion is not guaranteed, and no promise of promotion is implied.
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on how your application materials reflect the qualification requirements of this position.
Once the job opportunity announcement closes, your resume and all supporting documents will be reviewed by HR to determine your eligibility for Federal employment and your qualifications for this position specifically. Due to this vacancy being filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to positions filled under this announcement. Applications received as a result of job fairs, recruitment events, and emergency hiring mechanisms in support of this hiring initiative will also be accepted during the duration of the announcement. All qualified candidates will be referred for consideration; the hiring office may conduct interviews at their discretion. Interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis.
Your responses to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and/or job elements) in the following areas:
- Planning and Evaluating
- Fire Management
- Technical Competence
Required Documents
Resumes must show relevant experience and other information. Your resume MUST list your education and work experience including (1) the dates (mm/yy) of each employment, along with (2) the number of hours worked per week, and (3) salary information. In addition, Civil Service employees must provide their current OPM title, series, and grade. Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s). Failure to provide required information will result in loss of eligibility. You are welcome to submit a cover letter.
In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. Visit the USAJOBS Help Center for more information on What should I include in my federal resume and/or OPM Resume Writing Tips.
In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you are required to submit the following supplemental documentation as applicable:
- Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.
- Copy of your IQCS master record.
Hard copy paper supplemental documents, submitted without prior Human Resources approval, will be considered as an incomplete application.
Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.
If you are determined to be eligible and best qualified, you will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Applicants should monitor their status for positions by regularly checking their public status notifications in the USAJOBS profile.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes ALL of the following items: 1) Your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire; 2) Your resume; and 3) Applicable supporting documents specified in the Required Documents section of this job announcement.
THIS IS AN ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS THROUGH USAJOBS. Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time by the closing date of the announcement . If you need assistance in applying on-line, please contact the HR Office at blm_fa_nifc_hr_external@blm.gov. If applying on-line poses a hardship for you (i.e. you do not have access to the Internet) you must contact us prior to the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have access to a public library, State Job Service Office, etc., you should use these resources to apply online.
YOU MUST HAVE OR CREATE A PROFILE IN USAJOBS. Your profile must contain a current resume for submission. See Required Documents section for what to include in your resume.
INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION COULD RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING.
The USAJOBS Resume Builder was designed to ensure that your resume includes the standard information needed. The Resume Builder is an available tool when you log in to your USAJOBS account.
1. Review the Appointment Eligibility Criteria: The eligibility section of the application process is designed to allow you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. You will ONLY be considered for the appointment eligibilities you selected. You must provide proof of your eligibility to be considered.
2. You must submit a resume and also complete the online application and assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
- To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
- Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
- The eligibility portion of the application process is designed to allow you to choose how you wish to be considered for this announcement. You may choose more than one eligibility. You must provide proof of your eligibility and will only be considered for the questions that you answer "yes".
- Please note, your eligibility will be based solely on the selections you have indicated in this section. You must provide the supporting documentation to support your claim to be considered. You may choose more than one eligibility in this section.
- To view the assessment questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12761428
FOLLOW UP. Check your application status before the announcement closes. It is your responsibility to ensure that a complete application (including a resume, on-line questionnaire, and applicable supplemental documentation) is received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. NOTE: Technical problems may take at least 1 business day to resolve; therefore, you are highly encouraged to complete the application process prior to the closing date.
Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
Agency contact information
- Address
- BLM Colorado State Office
Denver Federal Center
Building 40
Lakewood, CO 80225
US
Next steps
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJOBS account. You will receive an acknowledgement email from USAJOBS that your submission was successful once we have received your online questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application and/or referral to the hiring official via your USAJOBS account after the evaluation process is complete. You will be contacted if further evaluation is required or if interviews are conducted.
If you are not referred and/or have questions or concerns regarding your rating determination or referral status, you must submit your inquiry in writing within 7 calendar days of receiving a Notice of Results and Referral notification email. Please submit inquiries to BLM_FA_NIFC_HR_External@blm.gov. Please include the announcement number to better assist our team in reviewing your inquiry.
Inquiries submitted AFTER the 7-day period, will NOT be accepted or reviewed.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.