Summary This is a Wildland Firefighter (Fire Management Planning) position located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Southwest Regional Office, Branch of Fire Management, in Albuquerque, New Mexico and will be filled from Standard PD Number: DX03400. This announcement will be used to fill vacancies utilizing the Direct-Hire Authority (5CFR 337.201). Category rating, veteran's preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do NOT apply for this vacancy. Responsibilities Develops region/state wildland fire plans and complex fire management alternatives that reflect national, regional, state, and local management goals and objectives related to fire management. Provides expertise for short and long-term strategic fire management planning, assessments, and interagency unit fire management plans. Applies technical fire planning knowledge to independently analyze and resolve complex problems relating to the development, execution, and monitoring of state/region fire management issues. Coordinates with the environmental or natural resource specialists to ensure wildland fire plans are consistent with land and resource management plans. Coordinates and supports the use of statistics and geospatial information technology in strategic fire management planning. Collaborates with internal Bureaus, outside organizations, and other partnering federal agencies in conducting analysis, providing clearances on relevant formal documents and rendering overall processing decisions on fire management processes. Engages in extensive collaboration and coordination to integrate planning efforts with various land management agencies, federal, state, tribal, local, and other government entities. Ensures compliance with geospatial standards are applied at the bureau level. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for the GS-0456: Wildland Firefighter Series; and NWCG/Interagency Fire Program Management Qualifications Standards and Guide) GS-12: 1 year of specialized wildland fire work experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal Service (obtained in either the public or private sector that include: developing regional/local spatial wildland fire & fuels management plans and complex fire management alternatives that reflect management goals and objectives; evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of fire management programs through periodic inspections; coordinating with the environmental or natural resource specialists to ensure regional/local spatial wildland fire & fuels management plans are consistent and in adherence with land and resource management plans; accounting for the integration of geospatial data accuracy in order to develop and implement new and revised policies and standard operation procedures and practices are compliance with policy mandates; ensuring that timeliness, accuracy, quality, and production standards are met. Prior Wildland Firefighting Experience: This is a secondary-administrative position in an organization having a firefighting mission, and is clearly in an established career path. Prior firefighting experience, as gained by substantial service in a primary firefighter position or equivalent experience outside the Federal government is a MANDATORY PREREQUISITE. FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This position is covered under the secondary/administrative firefighter special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c)(CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d)(FERS) when it is filled by an incumbent who transfers directly from a primary or another secondary law enforcement or firefighting position with no break in service to this position. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent will depend upon his or her individual work history. You may meet the 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. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the closing date. Physical Demands: Work in the off ice is primarily sedentary. Field work does require frequent physical exertion, involving walking over rough terrain, sometimes for extended periods, and working under occasionally inclement (hot, cold, snow, wind, etc.) weather conditions. The incumbent must be in good physical condition in order to safety perform field activities. The incumbent must be able to perform duties in areas of uncontrolled wildfire where hazardous conditions exist. The incumbent must be able to fly as a passenger in helicopters and single engine fixed wing aircraft. Work Environment: Work is performed in both an office and field setting with field work. Field work involves exposure to temperature extremes, both from weather and fire conditions where falling trees and the presence of smoke and/or dust conditions create hazardous conditions. The nature of fire management work requires that protective clothing (boots, hard hats, etc.) be worn. The incumbent must exercise a variety of safety practices and precautions for the well-being of self and of others. Education Additional Information Indian Preference Policy: Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC Section 472). Verification form BIA-4432 must be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference. No other documents will be accepted as proof of Indian Preference. All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2025 Salary Tables here and select the duty station from Albuquerque, New Mexico to choose the appropriate pay chart. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart. Note: "Salary changed with the release of the new (GW) pay schedule specific for firefighter positions, effective 03/23/25. The new pay schedule are available through this link- https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL BE AUTHORIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATIONS. TELEWORK: Indian Affairs has determined that the duties of the position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval. This position has been designated as an Incidental Operator under the Indian Affairs Motor Vehicle Safety Program and requires the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle in order to properly carry out his/her assigned duties but whose principal duties are not operating a motor vehicle and his/her position is not classified as a motor vehicle operator. The incumbent will be required initially and annually to acknowledge and certify possession of a valid state driver's license. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) OR Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Programs provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF50 noting position, grade level, duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee\guides/career\transition.asp This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see What are bargaining units?
