Smokejumper Supervisor Job Eastern WA

[Guest]

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FOREST SERVICE – REGION 6
OKANOGAN AND WENATCHEE NFs

ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: R617-087-04
OPENING DATE: June 7, 2004
CLOSING DATE: June 22, 2004
TITLE, SERIES and GRADE: Supervisory Forestry Technician (Smokejumper) GS-462-7/8
NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 1 or more positions may be filled
SALARY: GS-7: $33,071-$42,993; GS-8: $36,626-$47,615
LOCATION: North Cascades Smokejumper Base CITY/STATE: Winthrop, WA

If the position is filled at the lower grade level, the incumbent may be
promoted, non-competitively, to the target grade upon satisfactory completion of
qualification and time-in-grade requirements, and satisfactory performance.

TOUR OF DUTY: Permanent seasonal, 13 pay periods full time

PROMOTION POTENTIAL: None

DAY CARE FACILITIES: Forest Service day care facilities are not available

HOUSING: There is no government housing available.

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: The Master Agreement between the Forest Service and the
National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) does not cover this position.

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Region-wide. Current Region 6 Forest Service employees
having a career or career-conditional appointment will be considered.

OTHERS WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
Disabled veterans with a 30% or more disability, persons with disabilities,
former Peace Corps volunteers and Vista volunteers, may apply and may be
considered. The applicant must furnish required proof or certification of
eligibility.

Persons eligible for reinstatement, reassignment (lateral), or change to lower
grade may apply and will be considered.

Applicants covered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Career
Transition Assistant Program (CTAP) may apply and will be given priority
consideration if determined to be in the quality group as defined under the
Method of Evaluation.

DUTIES: Serves as a smokejumper supervisor of a crew of smokejumpers in parachute
jumping and wildland fire suppression. The Spotter/Squadleader is responsible for
assisting in the management of one or more specialty areas such as Operations,
Parachute Loft, Loadmaster, Paracargo, or Training.

This is a primary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d)
(FERS). Persons making their first entry into a firefighter position under these
authorities cannot be selected if they have reached age 37. Persons already in
covered secondary positions or persons with previously approved service who apply
for a primary position cannot be considered if their age at reentry into primary
position is 37 after subtracting service in approved positions. The burden is on
the applicant to prove he/she has previously served in approved positions (letter
from the previous agency, ruling from the Office of Personnel Management,
official position descriptions citing primary firefighter coverage, notification
of personnel actions (SF-50B) citing primary firefighter coverage, etc.).
Applicants need to provide their date of birth on their application/resume and
documents of previously covered service to verify this requirement. Applicants
over age 37 who do not provide proof with their application package will not
receive consideration.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must meet qualification requirements specified in the
Office of Personnel Management’s Qualification Standards Handbook. The Office of
Personnel Management’s Qualification Standards Handbook can be found in any
Federal government personnel office or website
http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/index.htm. These requirements include one year
of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

If you are changing series, provide a narrative statement addressing your
specialized experience for this position. This can only be experience gained at
the next lower grade or equivalent. Credit is given for the percentage of time
you have spent on those specialized duties.

The work requires arduous physical exertion, such as regular and recurring
running, walking, hiking, bending, shoveling, throwing, lifting, walking or
climbing over rocky areas or other uneven surfaces; cutting own path through
dense vegetation, and in mountainous terrain while operating hand and power tools
for long durations and while carrying over 50 pounds of gear. The work frequently
involves long shifts, complex decision-making, and extended periods of time away
from home. In many situations, the duration of the activity contributes to the
arduous nature and physical and mental demands of the jobs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Height: Individuals without shoes must not exceed 77 inches or be less than 60
inches. Weight: Individuals must weigh no less than 120 pounds and no more that
200 pounds without clothes.
Eyes: Individuals must be free from acute or chronic eye disease. Corrected
distant vision must test at least 20/20 (Snellen) in one eye and at least 20/30
(Snellen) in the other. Individuals must be able to read printed material the
size of typewritten characters, correction permitted.
Ears: Individuals must not have acute or chronic disease of the external, middle,
or internal ear. Using an audiometer for measurement, there should be no loss of
25 or more decibels in each ear at the speech frequency range. A hearing aid is
not permitted.
Nose, Mouth, and Throat: Must be free from acute or chronic sinus disease or
other nasopharyngeal conditions that interfere with distinct speech or free
breathing.
Teeth: Must be free from any mouth or dental defect that interferes with proper
incision and mastication of food.
Lungs: Must not have any acute or chronic disease of the lungs that impairs
pulmonary function.
Heart & Blood Vessels: Must not have organic heart disease, compensated or not,
valvular diseases, coronary heart disease, cardiac enlargement, angina pectoris,
cardiac arrhythmia or irregularity other than sinus arrhythmia, arteriosclerosis,
blood pressure readings that consistently exceed 150 systolic or 90 diastolic.
High blood pressure that is regulated without side effects to no more than the
above systolic and diastolic readings may be qualifying.
Abdomen: Cannot have acute or chronic disease of the abdomen, significant
enlargement of the liver or spleen, or hernia that interferes with lifting,
stretching, bending, or working with tools.
Genitourinary/Metabolic: Cannot have acute or chronic genitourinary disease,
acute or chronic prostatitis, large and/or painful varicocele or hydrocele with
functional impairment, or unreconciled abnormal finding on urinalysis, including
drug use. Diabetes mellitus may be disqualifying if means or extent of treatment
and control are incompatible with working conditions.
Spine, Pelvis, Sacroiliac, and Lumbrosacral joints: Must not have restricted
mobility of the spine and pelvic joints that interfere with normal function.
Individuals cannot have any significant abnormal curvature of the spine or
deformity or malformation of the parts, spondylolisthesis, or a history of
herniated nucleus pulposus, with or without surgery, that may be reinjured on
impact landing.
Extemeties: Cannot have anomalies in the number, form, proportion, and movement
of the extremeties that interfere with function. This includes non-united
fractures, non-reducible dislocations, united fractures and reduced dislocations
with incomplete restoration of function, amputation of arm, hand, leg, or foot,
loss of any skeletal portion of the thumb of either hand, loss of more than the
two distal phalanges of the ring or little fingers of either hand, ankylosed
joints, pes cavus, weakfoot, or clubfoot, flatfoot with symptoms unresponsive to
orthotics, loss or deformity of great toe or any two toes on the same foot, torn
cartilage or loose foreign bodies within the knee joint, instability of the knee
joint, or inadequately healed surgical procedure.
Nervous System: Must not have mental, nervous, organic, or functional
neuro-psychiatric disorders likely to interfere with performance, medical history
or clinical diagnosis or a seizure disorder showing systems that are likely to
recur or disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory explanation of the
cause; paralysis or paresis, muscular atrophies or dystrophies that would
interfere with proper functioning in the position.
Skin: Cannot have debilitating acute or chronic skin disease or extensive
scarring that interferes with function.
Other Conditions: Conditions or other diseases not included herein which will not
exclude an individual from consideration providing the condition is
satisfactorily corrected.
Immunization: Tetanus immunization or booster within the last 10 years is
required.

The Forest Service has adopted the Work Capacity Test (WCT) as the medthod for
assessing employee fitness level for fire qualifications. Because this position
participates in wildland firefighting activities, TAKING AND PASSING the Work
Capacity Test is a “condition of employment.” Arduous fitness (Pack) test will
consist of a three (3) mile hike, within forty-five (45) minutes while carrying a
forty-five (45) pound pack. You are strongly encouraged to consult with your
physician and begin training at least four (4) w eeks prior to taking the Work
Capacity Test.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: The duties of this position require sustained, arduous
physical exertions under rigorous and unusual conditions. Persons appointed will
be potentially subject to extreme physical danger and to irregular and protracted
hours of work. The health of individuals must be such that they have the capacity
to meet demands for performance in the position and for human reliability. Before
entrance on duty and periodically during employment, individuals must undergo a
medical examination. Failure to meet any of the required medical qualifications
will usually be considered disqualifying for employment or a basis for
termination.

TIME-IN-GRADE: Applicants for promotion must have one year of service at the next
lower grade level.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: To be creditable, must have been at least equivalent to
the next lower grade level and have equipped the applicant with the particular
knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the
position. It typically is in or related to the type of work in this position.
Specialized experience for this position would be experience as a smokejumper
fighting wildland fires.

Qualifications and time-in-grade requirements must be met within 60 calendar days
of the closing date of this announcement.

EVALUATION CRITERIA: Applicants are strongly encouraged to respond to all of the
Evaluation Criteria listed. Use examples that show depth of knowledge, level of
skill, or degree of ability.
GS-7:
1. Knowledge and substantial experience in complex wildland firefighting
techniques and procedures, firefighting equipment, advanced fire behavior, fuel
models, Incident Command System, fire management objectives and policies, and
firefighting strategies and tactics pertinent to initial attack and large fire
suppression activities.
2. Thorough knowledge of aircraft communication and navigation systems
capabilities, and operation to serve as a smokejumper spotter. Working knowledge
of aircraft before takeoff and before landing check lists and procedures.
Thorough knowledge of parachutes, parachuting, jump hazards, weather and fire
conditions.
3. Knowledge of aircraft contract administration and contract provisions to
effectively administer aircraft contracts as a Project Inspector, recommend
contract language changes to the Contracting Officer’s Representative or Base
Manager.
4. Knowledge of parachute loft operations, equipment and regulations including
FAR part 65. Must be licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a
Senior Parachute Rigger under FAR part 65 to advise and perform a variety of
technical parachute and loft functions including the packing, maintenance and
repair of cargo, main, reserve, and emergency parachutes.
In addition for GS-8:
5. Knowledge of acceptable flight practices to evaluate pilot performance.
Working knowledge of safe mountain flying techniques, aircraft aerodynamics and
flight characteristics. Working knowledge to review and correctly interpret
technical material, such as flight handbooks, aircraft logbooks, aircraft
performance charts, aeronautical sectional charts used for navigation and other
aeronautical literature.
6. Knowledge to provide administrative and direct technical supervision to one to
five assistants and ensure the efficient day-to-day operation of specific
functional areas of smokejumper program.

METHOD OF EVALUATION: Personnelists shall evaluate candidates and document the
basis for placing them in the appropriate group: eligible or quality.
Subject-matter specialists may be consulted as needed. Applicants for promotion
and CTAP/ICTAP eligibles will be evaluated and placed in the appropriate group
(eligible or quality).

ELIGIBLE = Candidates who meet the basic requirements of OPM Qualification
Standards.
QUALITY= a. Specific job related experience that is clearly above the minimum
requirements listed in the OPM Qualification Standards for the General Schedule
positions; that is, the candidate has experience that clearly meets the
advertised Evaluation Criteria; OR b. Evidence of high ability for the work of
the position gained through further related education, training, volunteer work,
etc.

HOW TO APPLY: Applications received under this announcement will not be returned.
Please do not submit your application package in a notebook or binder. Applicants
will be evaluated only on the information postmarked by the closing date of this
announcement. Allow 10 working days before contacting this office on the status
of this vacancy.

Submit the following:

1. Application for Employment (Required). You may apply for this position
by submitting the Employee Biographical Sketch (attached) or an OF-612, Optional
Application for Federal Employment OR any other written format you choose.***

2. Narrative Response to the Evaluation Criteria.

3. College Transcripts if applicant wishes to have education credited.

4. Persons applying under the Career Transition Assistance Program must
provide one of the items below.

A. RIF Separation notice; or
B. Certificate of expected separation; or
C. Other agency certification identifying you as being in a surplus
organization or occupation.

5. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or form used in lieu of SF-50,
(required from non-Forest competitive status employees)

6. SF-15, Claim for 10-Point Veteran, as well as proof required on reverse
of form, if you are claiming compensable disability preference.

***If you submit any other form of written application, it must contain the
following information:

---Job Information – Announcement number, title, and grade of the job for which
you are applying.
---Personal Information – Full name, mailing address, day and evening area code
and phone number, social security number, country of citizenship, and the
following if applicable: proof of veteran’s preference, proof of Federal
employment or reinstatement eligibility and highest Federal civilian grade and
series held.
---Education – High school (name, city, state, zip code), date of diploma or GED,
colleges and universities (name, city, state, and zip code), majors, type and
year of degrees received (if no degree, show total semester or quarter hours
earned). A copy of your college transcript must be submitted if requested in the
vacancy announcement.
---Work Experience – Give the following information for paid and nonpaid
experience related to the job for which you are applying: job title, (include
series and grade if Federal job), duties and responsibilities, employer’s name
and address, supervisor’s name and phone number, starting and ending dates (month
and year), hours per week worked, and salary. Do not send job descriptions; and
indicate if we may contact your current supervisor.

WHERE TO APPLY:

ELECTRONICALLY: Send to:
kmpalmer@fs.fed.us
Subject: Application to Vacancy #R617-087-04

OR

FAX to: (509) 664-9287.
PLEASE do not duplicate the submission by sending a hard copy as a followup.

VIA SURFACE MAIL

USDA, Forest Service
Attn: Human Resources, Vacancy #R617-087-04
215 Melody Lane
Wenatchee WA 98801

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The Forest Service assumes no responsibility for the delivery of applications. It
is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure receipt of their application
regardless of the method used. Applications must be postmarked no later than the
closing date of the announcement. Non-selected applicants will not be notified.

Use of Postage-paid government envelopes to file job applications is a violation
of federal law and regulation. Applications received in postage-paid government
envelopes will not be considered.

For specific information concerning this job, please contact John Button at
509-997-2031. For information about the application procedure, you may contact
Human Resources at 509-664-9388. For workforce diversity information, contact
Human Resources.

This position is being advertised under the Forest Service Merit Promotion Plan.

REASONABLE ACCOMODATION: The USDA Forest Service provides reasonable
accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable
accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify
Human Resources at (509) 664-9388 for assistance. The decision on granting
reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the bases of race,
color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs,
sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply
to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.)
should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file an informal complaint of discrimination (EEO), based on your race, color,
national origin, gender, religion, age, disability (physical and/or mental)
and/or reprisal for participation in an EEO related activity, write USDA, Forest
Service, Civil Rights Staff, 201-14th Street, SW, RM 4, SW-Wing, Washington, DC
20250, OR call (202) 720-7467 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity
provider and employer.

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[Amazon 7]

Hmm Eastern WA huh.. I know where it is.... Wintrop.. is the big town up there on WA 20 the North Cascades Hwy, nice place to visit but well I like being near the big city

Its a good thing the people who do those jobs do it for the love of it.. GS-7/8 eeesh...

[Guest]

Jah, GS-7/8 with no COLA would suck if it was in Seattle, but it's out in the boonies.

What I found surprising is that they don't even provide a bunkhouse...sheesh.

mh

.

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[Zenister 0]

wonders how anyone with 30% or more disability could possibly meet those physical requirements?

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[freeflir29 0]

Quote

wonders how anyone with 30% or more disability could possibly meet those physical requirements?

Dude....it's "Disability." Hell....I'm 20% and should be at least 30%. I just haven't pursued it as hard as I should! As far as "Smoke Jumper" jobs go......good luck. You gotta play the game to get there. I once looked into an "Aerial Coordinator" job with them. Funny that it was the EXACT same thing I was doing in the Air Force..........the guy gave me the "Well....you have to be around here for a few years." speech.

[slug 1]

Hi Mark

Based on 25 yr's with the feds I buzzed thru that job announcement in 2 minutes. Surprise!!!! One of the locals has already been chosen.

The announcement is a formality

DUTIES: Serves as a smokejumper supervisor of a crew of smokejumpers in parachute
jumping and wildland fire suppression. The Spotter/Squadleader is responsible for
assisting in the management of one or more specialty areas such as Operations,
Parachute Loft, Loadmaster, Paracargo, or Training.

If your already there you don't need to worry housing etc.Who else would have the job skills except a experienced smoke jumper

If your going to Lost Praire boogie there will be some smoke jumpers there ask them who got the job
R.I.P.

[steve1 5]

One of my goals in life was to be a Smoke Jumper. It's very very hard to get hired by them. I made their alternate list one year, but that was as close as I got to the job. They main requirements are a lot of fire experience. Several years is minimal. There are a lot of firefighters competing for a few Smoke Jumper positions each year.

When I was on a fire crew being a minority had everything to do with your advancement or even getting hired. We used to joke that if you were a disabled black woman who was also a veteran you could get almost any federal job. But if you were a white male, forget it.....Steve1