Firefighters in field performing a prescribed burn

Fire Management Specialist (Prescribed Fire/Fuels Technician)

This position is available in the following series:

Position Overview

Are you looking for a career with growth and opportunity? Do you want something that can be challenging and rewarding? Join the Wildfire Community and become a Fire Management Specialist. You will be participating in planning and assigning priorities to develop competencies that assume the full program responsibility for prescribed fire, fuels management, fuels monitoring, smoke management, and wildfire response. You will also be able to provide professional advice and assistance to meet resource management objectives with prescribed fire, fuels management and/or wildfire response.   

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Land Management
National Park Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate will have knowledge of environmental laws, regulations, and policies including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Air Act, Threatened and Endangered Species Act, and the Wilderness Act sufficient to prepare routine reports and make presentations. Knowledge of wildland fire safety policies, practices and procedures to ensure the welfare and safety throughout all aspects of project implementation. Knowledge of, and skill in applying, natural resource management, fire ecology, fire behavior, and fire management theories, concepts, principles, and standards in a wildland fire environment sufficient to participate in the development and management of a fuels management program and independently perform recurring, well-precedented projects using standard methods and techniques.

Work Environment

Work is perform both in-doors (office) and out-of-doors (field work). Office conditions require long periods of sitting, working with computers and general lifting, and bending and reaching. The field work is performed in various conditions and environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with vegetation, and in smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures vary from above 100 degrees Fahrenheit to below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material.

Minimum Education Requirements

Please see the Individual Occupation Requirements and the Professional and Scientific Positions Group Qualification Standard on the OPM websites.

Primary Core Education Requirement depending on complexity: ENGBCRWBFIRBHMGBRXB2 from National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Secondary Core Education Requirement depending on complexity: ICT4ENGBCRWBHMGBICT3TFLDHEBM from National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Entry:

    • Reviews individual fuels treatments as well as the effectiveness of the assigned program and makes recommendations for improvement.  
    • Develops, reviews, and monitors fuels management plans.  
    • Participates in special assignments (as qualified) to plan, implement, and participate in prescribed fire activities, wildfire response, and fuels management activities to ensure targets are achieved, management objectives are met and mitigation measures are adequate 

  • Mid:

    • Participates in the establishment, definition, and planning of work assignments for the module/staff.  
    • Provides leadership and implements activities to accomplish DOI's multicultural organization direction and Equal Opportunity requirements, goals, policies, and objectives. 
    • Responsible for the smoke management program and for ensuring that all fuel treatment actions are compliant with state air quality standards.  
    • Implements and administers prescribed fire activities, wildfire incidents, and other fuels management activities to ensure targets are achieved, management objectives are met and mitigation measures are adequate.  

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Strengths by Level

Entry 7
Mid 9-11
  • Accountability
    Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
  • Compliance
    Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
  • Creative Thinking
    Uses imagination to develop new insights into situations and applies innovative solutions to problems; designs new methods where established methods and procedures are inapplicable or are unavailable.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
  • Customer Service
    Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
  • Flexibility
    Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
  • Integrity/Honesty
    Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
  • Oral Communication
    Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
  • Problem Solving
    Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
  • Teamwork
    Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
  • Technical Competence
    Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
  • Writing
    Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11