Transcript Shoshone National Forest Fire Management Wildland Firefighter

Shoshone National Forest
Fire Management
Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship
Outreach Notice with Intent to Fill
Announcement Number- 14(1)-WFAP-462-3/4/5DP
Certificate of eligible candidates will be requested on February 26th, 2014
The Shoshone National Forest intends to fill 2 Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship positions.
One position located in Cody, WY and one position in Lander, WY. Openings may be available
at the GS-03, GS-04 and GS-05 levels.
This notification is being circulated to inform prospective applicants of this upcoming
opportunity. This Demo (DP) announcement will be open to members of the general public,
temporary government employees (seasonal firefighters), Veterans, and current Federal
employees.
The Wildland Firefighter Apprentice Program (WFAP) is an educational program designed to
enhance and develop future Fire and Aviation Managers. The intent of the Program is to provide
an entry level firefighter with training and work experience over a 12 to 48 month period
depending on experience. This is a 3,000 hour on-the-job developmental program which
includes 2 one month-long residential firefighting academies at the Wildland Fire Training
Center in McClellan, California. Initial appointments are permanent seasonal: guaranteed 13 pay
periods (6 months) plus an additional 2 pay periods as needed. Upon completion of program
requirements, Apprentices are eligible for noncompetitive promotions to the GS-462-5 Forestry
Technician Senior Firefighter positions on engines, handcrews, helitack or rappel crews without
further competition. Some positions may require a Commercial Driver’s license.
Duties: Serves as an apprentice firefighter on a wildland fire crew performing fire suppression
and/or fuels management duties under the most adverse conditions of climate, fuels, and terrain.
Performs various aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations including; driving engines,
preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, mop-up, laying hose, loading helicopter personnel and
cargo, weight distribution calculations, and completes manifests of personnel and equipment
being transported to the fire or other work site via helicopters. These duties will also include the
use of a variety of hand tools such as an axe, Pulaski, shovel, McLeod and chain saws.
Applicants must be a US Citizenship and have a High School Diploma or GED. Applicant must
be at least 18 and under 37 years of age at the time of selection. Selectees are required to
maintain a valid State Driver’s License. Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with the
Selective Service.
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 ARDUOUS level is a "condition of employment." The Arduous
fitness (Pack) test requires completing 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 immediately if applying for this position.
This announcement constitutes the required 30 days advanced notice for testing
requirements.
FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a primary/rigorous firefighter position
under the provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS).
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applicants must access the vacancy announcements through USAJobs – http://usajobs.gov/ .
Applicants will be required to create a USAJOBS account at www.usajobs.gov in order to apply.
Applicants will need to select a specific duty station location or locations in order to be
considered for this vacancy, (duty stations are Cody, WY and Lander, WY).
Direct Link to Vacancy Announcement: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/356444000
Veterans are encouraged to apply on the USAJobs web site under the Demo Authority (DP)
where Veterans Preference is applied to eligible applicants. Veterans MUST submit a DD-214 if
you are claiming Veteran’s Preference. Veteran applicants may qualify for funding under the
GI Bill as the WFAP education/training is recognized by the Veterans Administration.
Pay and locality scales are available on this web site http://www.opm.gov/policy-dataoversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2014/general-schedule/.
For more information on the Apprenticeship program go to www.wfap.net
Refer to http://www.wfap.net/forms/Final_Standards9_24_10.pdf for program standards and
apprentice requirements and responsibilities
For further information please contact:
Cody, WY duty station:
Tim Haas, North Zone Assistant Fire Management Officer, Clarks Fork, Wapiti, and Greybull
Ranger Districts; 307-578-5207, or by email at: [email protected]
Lander, WY duty station:
Jay Slagowski, South Zone Fire Management Officer, Wind River and Washakie Ranger
Districts; 307-455-4156, or by email: [email protected]
The Forest:
Shoshone consists of five Ranger Districts: Wind River located in Dubois, WY and Washakie located in
Lander, WY, creating the “South Zone” of the Forest and then there is the Clarks Fork, Wapiti and
Greybull Ranger Districts which are consolidated into the “North Zone” and is headquartered in Cody,
Wyoming. (click) http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/shoshone/ for a complete description. The Shoshone National
Forest was established in 1891 as a part of the Yellowstone Timberland Reserve. The forest is an integral
part of the 10 million acre Greater Yellowstone Area which is centered in Yellowstone National Park.
The Shoshone consists of 2,470,430 acres of varied terrain ranging from sagebrush flats to rugged
mountain peaks. Over one half of the forest is designated wilderness. With Yellowstone National Park on
its western border, the Shoshone encompasses an area from the Montana state line south to Lander,
Wyoming, and includes portions of the Absaroka, Wind River, and Beartooth mountain ranges. The
western boundary of the forest to south of Yellowstone is the crest of the Continental Divide. Elevations
on the Shoshone ranges from 4,600 feet at the south of the spectacular Clarks Fork Canyon, to 13,804 feet
on Gannett Peak, Wyoming's highest point.
Recreation:
Shoshone offers high adventure and solitude in the back country and developed campgrounds along travel
corridors. Shoshone is known for hunting, fishing, ice and rock climbing, mountaineering, whitewater
rafting, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, hiking, horseback riding and packing, and internationally
recognized trails such as the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, and 262 miles of snowmobile
trails. The Shoshone is the eastern gateway to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, which draw
nearly 3 million visitors annually. Also known for its wildlife, Shoshone NF is also home to about 335
native wildlife species, the Shoshone provides habitat for grizzly and black bears, gray wolves, deer, elk,
moose, pronghorn, bison, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, and a host of smaller animals and birds ranging
from pikas, coyotes, and river otters to Clark’s nutcrackers, blue grouse, and peregrine falcons. The
Shoshone is home to more wild bighorn sheep than any other forest in the National Forest System. A
year-round opportunity for wildlife watching is one of the reasons that more than half a million people
visit the Shoshone every year.
City info:
Cody, WY: http://www.codychamber.org/
Lander, WY: http://www. www.landerchamber.org/
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of
race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status,
religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s
income is derived from any public assistance program. (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 a complaint of
discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC
20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and
employer.”
OUTREACH RESPONSE FORM
Shoshone Apprentice Positions
R2, Shoshone National Forest
NAME: _________________ ______________
_
eMAIL ADDRESS: _______________ __________
__
MAILING ADDRESS: ______ _____ ____________
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
_______________
_____________________
_____________________
_________ _____________________
CURRENTLY EMPLOYED WITH: USFS____ BLM____ OTHER_______________
TYPE OF CURRENT APPOINTMENT: PERMANENT______ TEMPORARY ______
TERM______
OTHER ______
CURRENT AGENCY/REGION/FOREST/DISTRICT:_________________________
CURRENT SERIES AND GRADE: ______________________________________
CURRENT POSITION TITLE: _________________________________________
Briefly describe why you will be a quality candidate for one of these positions:
______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
E-mail completed outreach form to specified Duty Station Contact in which you are applying:
Cody, WY duty station:
Tim Haas, North Zone Assistant Fire Management Officer, Clarks Fork, Wapiti, and Greybull
Ranger Districts; 307-578-5207, or by email at: [email protected]
Lander, WY duty station:
Jay Slagowski, South Zone Fire Management Officer, Wind River and Washakie Ranger
Districts; 307-455-4156, or by email: [email protected]