Duties

Summary

This Washington Office position is located in Washington, D.C. and serves as the National Assistant Director for the Doctrine, Communications, and Risk Management staffs in the Boise and D.C. offices of Fire and Aviation Management (FAM), State and Private Forestry (S & PF).

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Frank Hahnenberg at 703-605-5340 or by email at frank.hahnenberg@usda.gov

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• This position is responsible for risk management in fire and aviation operations, doctrinal development and communications. Assists the Director, FAM in leading and managing the complex fire and aviation management program of the Forest Service.
• Requires an understanding of strategic communications and information management in emergency operations. Also requires leadership and knowledge of the interdisciplinary program components in both internal and interagency environments.
• Directs the analysis of risk management programs, standards and processes in Forest Service Fire and Aviation Programs and recommends changes in policy or strategy to FAM leadership.
• Assists in implementation of policy and programs to enhance the management of risk in Forest Service Fire and Aviation operations; recommends policy changes as appropriate and advocates for needed changes to Forest Service Leadership.
• Leads risk assessments of programs and functional areas to identify needed improvements. Gathers input from field personnel on the effectiveness of risk mitigations currently employed along with suggestions for improvements.
• Makes recommendations that affect USDA FS policies or programs. Work is of major importance and scope. Conducts national and field level reviews in Regions and Areas for compliance with standards and direction.
• Works with staff from all functional areas within Fire and Aviation Management, along with interagency partners, to identify foundational doctrine for fire and aviation operations.
• Works to develop, publish, and disseminate Forest Service Fire and Aviation Doctrine and integrate doctrinal thinking into all FAM operations.
• Coordinates the acquisition of intelligence and the release of information related to all aspects of Fire and Aviation Management activities. Works with FAM program areas to develop briefing papers, talking points and media releases.
• Approves information for public release, paying special attention to information that may be sensitive or that has high consequences for the Forest Service?s public image or reputation.
• Works to develop and sustain an effective lessons learned program for Forest Service and interagency Fire and Aviation operations. Ensures that the lessons learned program is applicable to and useful for field fire management operations.

Travel Required

50% or less - Overnight travel may be required to attend meetings, conferences and training. Travel may also be required to participate in incident and fire related support activities.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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.gov
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• This is a Test Designated Position. You will be tested for illegal drugs prior to appointment and randomly thereafter. Appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results.
• Selectee is subject to financial disclosure requirements and must submit form OGE-450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.
• Minimum of 90 days of wildland firefighting experience is required.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GS14: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: Directed the analysis of risk management programs, standards and processes in Fire and Aviation Programs and recommended changes in policy or strategy to Fire and Aviation Management leadership. Assisted in implementation of policy and programs to enhance the management of risk in Forest Service Fire and Aviation operations; recommends policy changes as appropriate and advocates for needed changes to Forest Service Leadership. Conducts national and field level reviews in Regions and Areas for compliance with standards and direction. Worked with staff from all functional areas within Fire and Aviation Management, along with interagency partners, to identify foundational doctrine for fire and aviation operations. Assists efforts to develop and integrate Doctrine into FAM operations by disseminating information to internal audiences.

For the GS15: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: Directed the analysis of risk management programs, standards and processes in Fire and Aviation Programs and recommended changes in policy or strategy to Fire and Aviation Management leadership. Made recommendations that affect agencies policies or programs. Served as top technical expert and consultant in field of expertise. Work is typically of major importance and scope. Conducts national and field level reviews in Regions and Areas for compliance with standards and direction. Worked with staff from all functional areas within Fire and Aviation Management, along with interagency partners, to identify foundational doctrine for fire and aviation operations. Builds on previous doctrine development and initiates new efforts.

Selective Placement Factor:

A minimum 90 days experience performing on-the-line (Primary/Rigorous) wildland fire suppression duties as a member of an organized fire suppression crew or comparable unit that utilized knowledge of wildland fire suppression, containment or control techniques and practices under various conditions. This experience must be documented with specific dates in the online application or resume.

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.

TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).

Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.

Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.

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 asc_tos@fs.fed.us .

Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.

This position is eligible for telework and other flexible work arrangements.

If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed.

Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period (unless prior service is creditable). New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required new supervisory training program before the end of their probationary period.

For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Veteran's Recruitment Act (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website

This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). At least 90 days of wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the competencies listed below:

• Education and Training
• Oral Communication
• Risk Management
• Strategic Thinking
• Supervision
• Workforce Environment

Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position.

If you meet the qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified, you will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities must meet minimum qualifications to be referred.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10496340

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

• Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisor's phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications.
• If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit: a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.

In addition to the above, you must submit the documents below if you claim any of the following:

• Current and former Federal employees: 1) Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing that you are/were in the competitive service, highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND 2) Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Do not submit a performance plan.
• Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Eligible Applicants: please review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide on the Forest Service website.
• Current permanent FSA County employees: most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action, (SF-50 or equivalent) showing your highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) per above.
• VEOA, VRA and 30% Disabled Veterans: please review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide on the Forest Service website.
• If claiming eligibility under a special hiring authority not listed above, please review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide on the Forest Service website.