Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Logo
Position Title
Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)
Agency
Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Announcement Number
ST-10863062-20-AG Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, October 30, 2020 to Sunday, November 29, 2020
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
3. Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you never held the full performance level of this position?

-OR-

Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service and have you never held the full performance level of this position?

To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:

• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
 
(limit characters)
4. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:

• have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
• are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service, member 4) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
 
(limit characters)
5. This position is subject to the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (25 U.S.C. 472), which affords employment preference to qualified Native American candidates.  Proof of eligibility, in the form of a completed Verification of Indian Preference, BIA - 4432 Form, must be provided with your application by the closing date to be granted such preference.  

Are you claiming Indian Preference, and submitting your BIA-4432 Form?
 
(limit characters)
6. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
 
(limit characters)
7. Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who:
• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,
• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; and,
• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and departed that position in good standing.

To verify your eligibility, you must provide a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) and performance appraisal that demonstrates you meet the requirements outlined in the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act.
(limit characters)
8. Do you meet one of the following Non-Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibilities:

Individual eligible under other non-competitive appointment authorities such as: Veterans Recruitment Authority; Military spouses under E.O. 13473; Certain former overseas employees; Present and former Peace Corps, Vista or Action volunteers; Former White House staff; Present and former Foreign Service officers and employees; Certain National Guard technicians; Schedule A; OPM Interchange Agreement and Other Miscellaneous Authorities.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation. For example, a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service; a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50); etc. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
(limit characters)
9. Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service at the same grade level as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?

-OR-

Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or have you obtained career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you held the same grade as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?

To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect: 
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
 
(limit characters)
10. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
(limit characters)
11. Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:

• served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,

• are entitled to veterans' preference?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
 
(limit characters)
12. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:

• recently separated (within the past 3 years);
• are a disabled veteran;
• served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
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 of Form BIA-4432 must be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference. Indian Preference eligibles that are not currently employed with the Federal service will be appointed under the Excepted Service Appointment Authority Schedule A, 213.3112(A)(7). (limit characters)
1. Are you submitting Form BIA-4432, Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to claim Indian Preference? Note: You must include your Form BIA-4432. As outlined in the vacancy announcement, this is the ONLY Indian Preference Verification Form that will be accepted.
(limit characters)
2. Incumbent will be required to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle in the performance of duties, therefore, a valid driver's license is required. Do you possess a valid State Driver's License? (limit characters)
You are required to carefully answer every question in this questionnaire. If you do not answer all of the questions it can affect your eligibility for this position. (limit characters)
3. Carefully read the following descriptions. Select one statement that best describes your education and/or experience which demonstrates your ability to work as a Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatcher) at the GS-6 level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. Make sure your resume supports the response you select.
(limit characters)
4. Carefully read the following descriptions. Select one statement that best describes your education and/or experience which demonstrates your ability to work as a Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatcher) at the GS-7 level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. Make sure your resume supports the response you select.
(limit characters)
This position is a secondary-administrative firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 8412 (d) (FERS). (limit characters)
5. Do you understand that you may meet the position qualification requirements, but not meet special retirement coverage eligibility and in that circumstance if selected will be placed in the regular retirement code?
(limit characters)
This position has a selective placement factor which requires a minimum 90 days of previous wildland firefighting experience which provided knowledge of the techniques, policies, and practices of wildland fire management. Wildland fires are categorized into two distinct types: (1) Wildfires are unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires; (2) Prescribed fires are planned ignitions. This description includes only fireline experience on a prescribed fire and it does not include experience in the planning stages. (limit characters)
6. Do you have a minimum 90 days of wildland firefighting experience?
(limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
7. Do you have experience in receiving and communicating fire reports and information to determine a location and status?
(limit characters)
8. Do you have experience with aviation dispatch coordination such as determining aircraft capabilities and limitations, flight planning, and aviation safety?
(limit characters)
9. Do you have experience in operating dispatch telecommunication systems?
(limit characters)
10. Do you have experience interpreting weather information such as spot weather forecasts, weather station observations, current and forecasted weather, lightning detection, and fuel moisture levels?
(limit characters)
11. Do you have experience in determining burning indices, preparedness levels, and staffing levels for suppression and aviation resources?
(limit characters)
12. Do you have experience directing others in entering data into fire-related computer applications such as incident qualification records?
(limit characters)
13. Do you have experience in assessing the output of data entered into fire-related computer applications?
(limit characters)
14. Do you have experience in determining dispatching personnel, equipment, aircraft, and/or supplies?
(limit characters)
15. Do you have experience in determining resource allocation for the projection of fire suppression needs?
(limit characters)
16. Do you have experience in the review of resource orders placed and actions taken to ensure adherence to standard operating procedures?
(limit characters)
17. Do you have experience in providing assistance on problems encountered by lower level dispatch personnel?
(limit characters)
18. Do you have experience in reviewing and making recommendations for improvement to internal operating procedures and systems?
(limit characters)
19. Do you have experience in coordinating and assisting with fire training and orientation?
(limit characters)
20. Do you have experience in consulting and providing technical information to cooperators or other interested parties?
(limit characters)
21. Do you have experience in providing critical logistical support information to higher level officials and making recommendations concerning an efficient use of available resources?
(limit characters)
22. Do you have experience in recording and maintaining communication logs?
(limit characters)
23. Do you have experience in assisting in updating operating plans or mobilization guides?
(limit characters)
24. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
(limit characters)