Forestry Technician (Fire Engine Operator)

Duties

Serves as a skilled crewmember on an engine. As an assistant on a wildland fire engine, works as a trainee engine operator driving the engine, operating the pump and making hose lays under the direction of the engine foreman.

May drive and operate the fire engine or apparatus. Responsible for positioning the fire engine or apparatus for safe and efficient operation.

Services and makes minor repairs to engine; inspects, checks and services accessories such as pump, water lines, tank, reels, or pump power plant; and keeps in fire readiness. Inspects, cleans and stows hose. Makes emergency repairs and adjustments of pumps while in use.

Receives training and performs simple engine operation duties. Performs basic fireline activities such as line construction, hose layout, operations of pumps and accessories, lopping and scattering of fuels using hand tools and holding, patrolling, monitoring, and mop-up operations. Moves dirt, chops brush, small trees, etc. to construct fire line. Is responsible for observing the rules of wildland firefighting safety. Applies practices and techniques to minimize resource damage.

Independently or with one or two other crewmembers may be assigned to carry out specialized assignments such as tree falling, backfire and burnout, mobile and stationary engine attack.

Serves as a skilled wildland firefighter on an organized crew during prescribed burns, monitoring and controlling the fire, and collecting data on fire weather and fire behavior. Also performs project work such as fuel inventory and hazard fuel reduction projects.

Depending on experience level, may be assigned to structure fire protection.

Participates in fire and safety training in the techniques, practices and methods of fire suppression and in the safe, efficient operation and use of tools, equipment and vehicles used in fire line activities, with emphasis on those used in the particular function to which assigned.

Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills.

Participates in safety sessions and fire critiques. Ensures own and others' welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignments.

Cleans, maintains, reconditions, and stores firefighting tools and equipment.

Inventories fire supplies and equipment.

May be assigned to fire lookout to provide detection and reporting of wildfires.

Reports smoke and fire to a dispatcher giving location, estimated size and other pertinent information. Reports weather and fire behavior information keeping the dispatcher and/or other officials informed of current conditions.

May perform project work such as fuel inventory, preparing associated reports, and hazard fuel reduction projects.

May perform project work such as road and trail maintenance, habitat manipulation, and miscellaneous equipment and facilities maintenance.

May assist in forestry/range research efforts; in the marketing of forest/range resources; or in the scientific management, protection, and development of forest/range resources.

Performs as a member of a fire crew assigned to suppress the full range of difficulty and complexity of fires.

Qualifications

You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements.

GS-04: (6) Six months of general experience and (6) six months of specialized experience.

General experience is defined as: Observed field work projects and recorded data, collected data and used computers to input data and generate reports, worked with tools and equipment used in laboratories or at field sites, or other work experience, paid or unpaid, that demonstrates an ability to learn and perform the work of this position. Examples of unpaid experience include volunteer work, such as at a park, youth camp, scouting organization, hospital, community sports league, local fire department, etc.

Specialized experience is defined as: Used hand tools or power equipment to create a fire line and/or remove debris, inventoried and/or restocked engines or fire caches to maintain fire readiness, served on a crew to suppress the full range of fires.–OR

Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 3 semester hours in mathematics is creditable. -OR A combination of education and experience listed above.

To receive consideration for