Summary This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. This position is located in Faribanks, AK. Information about the surrounding area may be found Fairbanks, AK. We expect to fill 1 vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available. Responsibilities Parachutes into mountainous, remote, rugged terrain and performs as a wildland firefighter, primarily as an Incident Commander or other leadership role. Makes strategic and tactical decisions on wildland fires based on objectives, priorities, and limitations given by Fire Management Officers (FMO) or other land manager(s). Serves as a Smokejumper spotter. Plans and directs the aerial attack of single or numerous fires. Directs smokejumper aircraft and other aerial resources assigned to the incident. Performs a wide variety of administrative functions from the field, including maintenance of unit logs, aircraft records, and safety tracking records. Operates a remote spike base with up to 40 smokejumpers and 3 aircraft. Serves as the satellite base Manager or Liaison Officer for the Great Basin Smokejumpers. Manages and oversees Smokejumper parachute loft operations including parachutes and related equipment, sewing and materials, training, documentation, and research and development, following FAA and BLM guidelines. Develops internal guidelines, manuals, operating plans, standard loft procedures outlining policies, safety, priorities, and objectives associated with the smokejumper loft. Manages a budget for assigned loft personnel, loft facilities, loft operations, and annual work plan. Maintains accurate inventory of loft materials, supplies, and equipment. Completes reports and alerts, ensuring information and actions are communicated to all necessary personnel and cooperators. Maintains a strong skill set in oral and written communication, problem solving, and interpersonal skills. Acts as Chief of Smokejumpers, or Deputy Chief of Smokejumpers in their absence, serving as the representative for the smokejumper unit. Provides technical and administrative supervision for positions within the Smokejumper Loft Unit, this includes one Assistant Loft Manager, two Loft Technicians (materials/sewing) and (rigging/R/D), and two GS-8 Smokejumper Loft Specialists. Initiates and completes Employee Performance Appraisals Plans (EPAP) and Individual Development Plans (IDP) for subordinates, addresses expectations, evaluates performance, provides feedback. Identifies and resolves minor complaints, conflicts or conduct issues. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Specialized Experience Requirements: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement(s); please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled. For GS-10: To qualify for the GS-10, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 is required. Qualifying experience includes but is not limited to: Experience utilizing technical skills as related to smokejumper loft operations. Experience with federal and agency policies, regulations, reporting systems and procedures. Experience with the BLM ram-air parachute system and related equipment and manuals. Experience in project planning, supervising, and training subordinates. Experience parachuting into rugged terrain to perform fire suppression and related duties as a qualified smokejumper. For GS-11: To qualify for the GS-11, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-10 is required. Qualifying experience includes but is not limited to: Experience as a technical expert on smokejumper loft operations and ability to communicate verbal and written technical information to the smokejumper group, cooperators, and managers. Experience with federal and agency policies, regulations, reporting systems and procedures. Experience with the BLM ram-air parachute system and related equipment and manuals. Experience in project planning, supervising, and training subordinates. Experience parachuting into rugged terrain to perform fire suppression and related duties as a qualified smokejumper. There is no substitution of education for specialize experience at the GS-10 or GS-11 grade level. 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. Selective Placement Factor(s): This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified. 1) Prior smokejumping experience required. This experience must be documented in the online application or resume with specific to AND from dates (MM/YY), description of work performed, AND hours worked per week. 2) A valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Senior or Master Rigger certificate with Back and Chest rating.. You must meet all selective placement factor requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Medical Requirements: Please see the Department of Interior Medical Standards Program Website for the Federal Interagency Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for your position: http://www.nifc.gov/medical_standards/index.html. Physical Demands: Employment in this position is conditional upon your successful completion of the following BLM smokejumper physical fitness performance tests: When you report for duty, you will be given a physical condition test. The test is given in one time period with a 5-minute break between exercises. The test consists of performing the following exercises: 30 push-ups 6 pull-ups Run 1.5 miles in 10.47 minutes or less OR 3 mile backpacking 110-pound load three miles in less than 65 minutes. Work Capacity Test at the Arduous Level: All arduous wildland firefighters must backpack a 45-pound load for three miles in 45 minutes or less. Work Environment: Work is performed out of doors in a wide variety of weather and terrain conditions or in a crowded airplane. 40% of the work is done in a sometimes tense and stressful office environment. This is a secondary/administrative firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age policy, the selectee must have prior service in a primary position (3 years of service in primary/rigorous position(s)) and meet the transfer requirement for movement from a primary to secondary position to be eligible for special retirement coverage. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your SF-50). YOU MUST LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN A PRIMARY POSITION. FACT SHEET for Fire Positions: Information on Special Retirement. Education Additional Information DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/e-verify. Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service. Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at CTAP or ICTAP. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well-qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form. CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they exceed minimum qualifications for this position. Reemployment Priority List (RPL): The RPL is the mechanism agencies use to give reemployment consideration to their former competitive service employees separated by a RIF or who have fully recovered from a compensable injury after more than one year. If you are currently on a RPL, you may be given priority consideration. Certain incentives, such as, Recruitment, Relocation, or Student Loan Repayment, may be authorized to eligible selectees. If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis, and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentives (OPM.gov), or Relocation Incentives (OPM.gov), or Student Loan Repayment (OPM.gov) The BLM has determined that the duties of this position are not suitable for telework. Government facilities are required to provide a smoke free environment for their employees. Smoking will be permitted only in designated areas.