Equipment Specialist

This position is located within the USDA Forest Service National Forest System, National Technology and Development Program in Missoula, MT. The Equipment Specialist position provides expertise and accomplishes projects related to wildland firefighting and fire aviation equipment management, with a focus on Smokejumper equipment and aircraft accessories. For additional information about the duties and location of this position, please contact Shawn Steber at shawn.steber@usda.gov.

Major duties

• Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-12 level.
• Serves as a Project Manager specializing in specification writing and fire equipment design, development, and evaluation. Develops project charters and project plans.
• Develops project timelines and milestones. Documents project status and communicates with portfolio managers and stakeholders.
• Assists in the drafting of policy, technical guidelines, and standards that improve fire safety equipment and training. Studies requirements for specialized equipment and prepares project plans to accomplish development.
• Prepares specifications for equipment items or equipment systems. Determines specific requirements concerning quality of components, design, and construction details for completed items or systems.
• Performs analyses of engineering drawings, military specifications, blueprints, commercial catalogs, and other documents for the purpose of revising, collaborating on, and incorporating information into specifications and technical publications.
• Plans and supervises investigations or reviews of equipment related failures or deficiencies. Evaluates equipment failures or deficiencies and makes recommendations for corrective actions.
• Conducts quality assurance inspections and/or technical evaluation of items manufactured by contractors to Forest Service or accepted industry specifications.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. 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. Specialized Experience Requirement: GW-09: Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-07 level; OR A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related; OR An appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Examples of specialized experience may include: Aided in field evaluations, testing, and/or data collection required for determining usability and service-wide acceptance of firefighting equipment including products for firefighter safety, water handling, aerial delivery, hand tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), or other equipment used in firefighting operations; Assisted in surveying and obtaining the technical information required to recommend, design, fabricate, and evaluate parameters of wildland firefighting equipment; Assisted in the planning, execution, and monitoring of projects evaluating the effectiveness of firefighter equipment for firefighter safety, water handling, aerial delivery, hand tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), helicopter rappelling, and/or smoke jumping. GW-11: Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-09 level; OR A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M.,(coursework must be directly related to the position being filled such as forestry, range management, agriculture); OR An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester/54 quarter hours leading to a Ph.D.). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Examples of specialized experience may include: Conducted field evaluations, testing, and/or data collection required for determining usability and service-wide acceptance of firefighting equipment including products for firefighter safety, water handling, aerial delivery, hand tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), or other equipment used in firefighting operations; Assisted in making recommendations for safe and efficient program for some phases of the smokejumper operation to include: inspection procedures, planned and implemented testing of equipment to monitor results, and recommended changes in policies or procedures based on results to higher level manager; Assisted in the planning, execution, and monitoring of projects evaluating the effectiveness of firefighter equipment for firefighter safety, water handling, aerial delivery, hand tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), helicopter rappelling, and/or smokejumping; Read and interpreted specifications, standards, engineering drawings, statements of work, deviation requests, technical manuals, and other technical publications and documentation related to firefighter safety, water handling, aerial delivery, hand tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), or other equipment used in firefighting operations. GW-12: Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-11 level. Examples of specialized experience may include: Provided advisory services related to wildland firefighting personal protective equipment design, textile design, production, operation, and maintenance requirements for major components of new or extensively modified equipment systems or commodity classes; Assessed smokejumper operations, made recommendations for the implementation and execution of a comprehensive, safe, and efficient program for all phases of the operation to include: inspection procedures, planned and implemented testing of equipment to monitor results, and recommending changes in policies or procedures based on results; Addressed quality control issues related to major components of new or modified equipment systems related to wildland firefighting personal protective equipment and accessories; Prepared test plans, arranged for field testing of equipment used for helicopter rappelling and smokejumping including textile use and design. Selective Placement Factors FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336 (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history. To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

See QUALIFICATIONS section for education requirements.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify. Must be 18 years of age. This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice. Secondary Coverage: Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable). Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver's license; a commercial driver's license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.