PDF versionJob Summary
This position is part of the R2-Texas Chenier Plain Refuges Complex. As a Fire Management Officer you will be responsible for planning, developing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating an integrated fire management program to achieve resource management objectives on all Fish and Wildlife Service lands on the Refuge .
Major Duties
Program Management
The FMO directs all phases of a fire management program with a high complexity level and is responsible for its planning, program direction, coordination and evaluation. Analyzes current fire management plans and initiates changes within guidelines or makes recommendations to meet changing conditions within the limits of current or anticipated funding.
Ensures that the fire management program is in compliance with environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
Provides leadership, coordination and direction in the application of standards, methods, and guidelines for all fire and aviation management program elements. Provides advice and guidance in the implementation of policies and standards received from higher authorities.
Ensures that the fire prevention program is effective and meets short-term objectives and long- term goals. Develops and reviews fire prevention plans. Works with other agencies in the development and delivery of cooperative fire prevention programs and training.
Develops and implements a communication plan. Briefs decision makers. Coordinates plans of action with affected cooperators. Ensures information related to wildland fire, prescribed fire, and fire program components for internal and external audiences is accurate and timely.
Coordinates program activities with federal, state, tribal, and local government entities/agencies.
Develops, implements and administers grants and agreements (e.g., Emergency Equipment Rental
Agreements, mutual assistance, and Rural Fire Assistance).
Serves on various interagency committees, teams and work groups dealing with specific local, geographic, or national fire management issues. Identifies research needs and applies new technology. Manages unit aviation programs or operations.
Directs and supervises all phases of the budget formulation process to assure balance in the fire organization at varying levels of funding, and initiates changes as appropriate. Monitors the expenditure of funds to assure fiscal integrity and correct application of financial standards.
Planning
Ensures that all phases of fire and aviation management planning are completed. Planning involves interacting with all disciplines as well as officials from other federal, state, tribal, and local agencies and the public. Plans include short-range issues as well as long-range strategies.
Reviews preparedness actions and operating plans used in the management of wildland fires. Negotiates cooperative agreements and resolves difficult and controversial public relations problems. Develops alternative wildland fire strategies by taking into consideration values to be protected and selects the appropriate alternative.
Ensures that the fuels management program is consistent with ecosystem management principles and land use plans and is applied on a landscape basis. Establishes priorities for fire hazard reduction and fuels management based upon minimizing potential damage and maximizing multiple resource benefit and enhancement. Reviews and evaluates fuels management and fire use plans and prescriptions to achieve specific ecosystem and resource management objectives. Identifies and evaluates the implications of the fuels management program on air quality standards, and provides operational guidance to mitigate potential impacts from smoke to sensitive areas.
Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team in the development of land use plans.
Operations
Coordinates and initiates all fire management activities based on firefighter and public safety, cost effectiveness, and values to be protected consistent with resource objectives, by using the full range of strategic and tactical options otherwise known as Appropriate Management Response (AMR) as described in an approved Fire Management
Plan (FMP).
Coordinates AMR on wildland fires. Initiates a Wildland Fire Implementation Plan (WFIP) for all wildland fires and ensures a Wildland Fire Situation Analysis (WFSA) is completed and retained for all fires that escape initial attack.
Coordinates operations with cooperating agencies on multi-jurisdictional wildland fires addressing risk to human safety and potential for damage to resources and improvements.
Monitors fire season severity predictions, fire behavior, and fire activity levels and takes appropriate actions to ensure safe, efficient and effective operations.
Responsible for aviation activities at the local level and may serve as the unit aviation officer or subject matter expert.
Organizes, trains, equips, and directs a qualified work force to meet local, geographic area, or national level fire program management needs.
May serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and may be responsible for the preparation of contract specifications and performance measures.
May manage national wildland fire support resources (e.g., Interagency Hotshot Crews, aviation assets, or other types of specialized modules).
Qualifications
Only experience and education obtained by 11/26/2019 will be considered. Basic Requirements for the 0401 Occupational Series (must meet A or B below to qualify:
A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, or related discipline appropriate to the position being filled. OR B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in biological sciences, agriculture, or natural resources - or at least 24 semester hours in biological sciences, natural resources, wildland fire management, forestry, or agriculture course work equivalent to a major field of study -- plus -- appropriate experience or -additional education that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in the biological sciences; agriculture, or natural resources. Specialized Experience Requirements: In addition to meeting one of the basic entry requirements listed above, you must have the appropriate specialized experience as described below:
You must have at least one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the next lower level (equivalent to grade GS-11) in the Federal service.
Applicants must have a minimum of one year of creditable specialized wildland fire management experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Possession of the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities can be evidenced by:
- reviewing and evaluating fire management plans for ecological soundness and technical adequacy.
- conducting field inspections before and after prescribed or wildland fires to determine if objectives were achieved and/or evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken.
- developing analyses on the ecological role of fire and its use and/or exclusion, and smoke management. In addition to fire program management, appropriate experience must have included either prescribed fire/fuels management - OR - fire management operations as described below:
Prescribed fire/fuels management - experience in a broad range of activities such as:
- inventory methods and procedures
- fuel treatment methods and programming
- land use planning and environmental coordination
- evaluating prescribed burn plans or fire management plans to ensure containment is possible and identify contingencies if containment is not obtained.
Fire management operations - analyzing and applying fire management strategies, plus experience in at least five of the following activities:
- mobilization and dispatch coordination
- fire prevention and education
- training
- logistics
- equipment development and deployment
- fire communication systems
- suppression and preparedness
- aviation 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. The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures:
Current appointees:
Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA.
·Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency.
·Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND
·Must have performed at an acceptable level.
Former appointees:
·Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency,
·Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years;
·Must apply for position within 2 years after separation,
·Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND
·Must have performed at an acceptable level NWCG INCIDENT MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATIONS (CURRENCY NOT REQUIRED):
Pathway #1
1) Task Force Leader (TFLD)
2) Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, Type 2 (RXB2) Pathway #2
1) Helibase Manager Type 1 (HEB1)
2) Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) "Fire Program Management" (M-581) is no longer a selective factor and is now a condition of employment. *NOTE: You must submit a copy of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master record showing your qualifications in one of the above pathways with your application. Prior experience in wild land firefighting is required in order to carry out the duties of this position. You will not be considered for this position if you do not have prior wild land firefighting experience. Note: The position is covered under the secondary/administrative category for special firefighter retirement provisions. You may meet qualification requirements but not be eligible for special retirement coverage. If you are not eligible for special retirement coverage, you will be placed in the regular retirement system. This key fire management position is categorized under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard as a Unit Fire Program Manager (moderate complexity). Minimum IFPM qualification standards must be met prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found at https://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority:
Note: You must provide a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Compliance Hiring Based for Public Land Corps Service.
(1) In order to be eligible for PLC non-competitive status, a former member of the PLC must provide documentation, as part of their application, verifying their eligibility and meet the following criteria:
(a) Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC;
(b) Applied to a vacancy announcement for which applications are being accepted from individuals with non-competitive status;
(c) Meet the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) minimum qualification standards stated in the vacancy announcement for the position which you are applying; and
(d) Completed his/her most recent Corps service, which provided him/her with a total of 640 hours, inclusive of 120 hours on a PLC project as defined in 16 USC 1723(d), within the last two (2) years.
(2) Appointments must be effected within the two years requirement.
(3) The two year time-frame cannot be extended.
(4) Selectees will be subject to a probationary period.
(5) This authority may be used for General Schedule and Federal Wage System positions.
Pay Range
$85,475.00 - $111,122.00