Firefighter in field performing duties

Wildland Fire Operations Specialist

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This position is available in the following series:

GS-0401 - Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences

Position Overview

We are looking for people to serve in a key fire management position, the Wildland Operations Specialist is a sensational career that will allow you to determine risk and develop or deploy programs designed to help combat wildfires with the best objectives. If you want a challenging career with growth opportunities and one that has the ability to make a difference or impact consider joining us!  

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 has prior firefighting experience, with in depth knowledge of the policies, techniques, and practices of wildland firefighting. Extensive practical knowledge of fire behavior to ensure safe wildland fire suppression operations, in addition knowledge of safety policies, guidelines, and procedures specific to wildland fire suppression and prescribed fire activities. 

Work Environment

Work is performed in both an office and field setting. The work performed in an office setting is primarily sedentary. The work performed outdoors is in forest, range and desert environments or in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, or covered by vegetation. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and fall 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 Technical and Medical Support Positions Group Qualification Standard on the OPM websites.

Primary Core Education Requirement depending on complexity: ENGB, CRWB, FIRB, HMGB, HEBM, TFLD, ASGS, DIVS from National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Secondary Core Education Requirement depending on complexity: ICT4, ICT3, RXB2 from National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Mid:

    • Develops alternative wildland fire strategies, considering values to be protected and selecting the appropriate alternative.  
    • Identifies wildland fire training needs for unit personnel and submits training nominations. May manage national wildland fire support resources (e.g., lnteragency Hotshot Crews, aviation assets, or other types of specialized modules).  
    • Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees 
    • Develops and coordinates plans of action with interagency cooperators. Coordinates program activities with federal, state, tribal, and local government entities/agencies.  
    • May perform as a duty officer strategies and tactics, to provide for safe operations and cost effective incident management Conducts After Action Reviews and offers suggestions for improvement. 
    • Provides leadership, allocates resources, and implements activities to accomplish DOI's multicultural organization direction and Equal Opportunity requirements, goals, policies, and objectives.  

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Strengths by Level

Mid 9
  • 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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    Mid 9
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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    Mid 9
  • Compliance
    Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
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    Mid 9
  • 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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    Mid 9
  • 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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    Mid 9
  • 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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    Mid 9
  • 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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    Mid 9
  • 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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    Mid 9
  • 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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    Mid 9
  • 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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    Mid 9
  • Reasoning
    Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
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    Mid 9
  • 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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    Mid 9
  • 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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    Mid 9
  • 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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    Mid 9