Heavy Equipment Operator - Wildland Fire Suppression

Duties

• Duties listed are at full performance grade WG-08 level.
• The primary purpose of this position is the operation of a variety of heavy equipment for fire suppression activities.
• Suppression activities may be under immediate supervision, however, incumbent may be required to conduct suppression activities independently.
• Operates one or more types of heavy equipment to push, pull, pile, or load materials such as sand, gravel, and earth.
• Clears brush, tree stumps, and rocks while constructing fire lines for suppression and prescribed fire activities.
• Adjusts the attachments for proper level, angle, or depth, according to the work to be done and the type of equipment used.
• Incumbent must have an understanding of fire behavior, fuels, weather and topography to safely and effectively perform initial attack on wildland fires.
  
  

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice.
• Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions.
• Must possess and maintain a valid commercial driver’s license.
• If selected, you must register with the DOT Clearinghouse as a driver at https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/Register and complete a Query Consent. You must respond to the consent within 24 hours.

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• Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
• There may be additional Conditions of Employment not listed here, however applicants will be notified of any specific requirements at the time a tentative job offer is made.
• Under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the requirement.
  
  

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements.

You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements to successfully perform the duties of Engineering Equipment Operator.

Applicants will be evaluated on their ability to perform the duties of the position rather than length of experience. Eligibility will be determined by the relevance, scope and quality of all experience and training, regardless of where or how acquired. Applicants will be assessed based on their knowledge of the job elements identified in this announcement.

Screen-out Job Element: Applicants who do not meet the screen-out job elements will not be further evaluated.

• Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision.
  
  

In addition to the above requirements, applicants will be assessed based on their knowledge of the job elements identified below:

• Experience operating engineering and construction equipment, such as graders, tractors with bulldozer or angle-dozer blades, front-end loaders, backhoes, trench diggers, and large industrial tractors with pan or scraper attachments to push, pull, fill, pile or load gravel or earth.
• Operation of Motor Vehicles to perform engineering/construction work (such as maintaining ditches, road shoulders, road beds, and/or firelines and clearing terrain of brush, tree stumps and rocks on flat or rolling terrain with simple terrain problems).
• Work Practices (includes keeping things neat, clean and in order).
• Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation).
• Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles) Reliability and Dependability as an Engineering Equipment Operator.
  
  

There is no substitution of education for this position.

Selective Placement Factors

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A Class A or Class B Commercial Driver's License is required.

Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement -OR-currently occupy a permanent position with primary fire fighter retirement coverage.

For those who do not currently occupy a permanent Federal position covered under primary fire fighter retirement, you must be under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position; or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and requesting a waiver to the requirement.

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.

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a primary/rigorous position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System.

WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the MODERATE level is a condition of employment.

To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

There are no education requirements.

Additional information

For additional information about the duties and location(s) of these positions, please contact regional representative: To see the different locations within the

Region 6: Pacific Northwest Region - Jason Heinz at

These are permanent positions with varying tours of duty and may include weekend work. Some positions may have irregular and protracted hours of work. Tours of duty include full-time or less than full time (guaranteed minimum 13 pay periods full-time employment).

Pay rates vary depending on location and may be higher or lower than the amount shown. Please visit the Appropriated Fund Wage Schedules webpage for additional information on pay rates.

Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.

The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the

Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email

Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE.

Forest Service daycare facilities may be available.

Government Housing may be available.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.