Wildfire Research Imaging Specialist

Join the NIST Fire Research Division at the forefront of wildland-urban interface (WUI) fire safety innovation. As a Wildfire Research Imaging Specialist, you will deploy cutting-edge imaging technology onto active fire environments, including prescribed and experimental fires and large-scale laboratory experiments. Your visual data will capture unprecedented fire dynamics, powering scientific research, guiding engineering models, and informing the public through compelling visual storytelling.

Major duties

NIST's Fire Research Division leads efforts to advance the science and practice of fire safety engineering, firefighting, fire investigation, fire testing, fire data management, and controlled burning. Within this division, the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Group conducts research to reduce fire hazards in WUI communities. Their research includes mission-related measurement science research and services to develop WUI fire risk exposure metrics, predict fire spread in WUI communities, assess the fire performance of structures and communities, and mitigate the effects of WUI fires on structures and communities through science-based codes and standards. As a Wildfire Research Imaging Specialist, you will: Capture active fire line visual data Perform optical system hardening and adaptation Conduct laboratory fire experimentation Curate data and visual communication products

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-10 level (or ZT-III at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as experience supporting robotics and laboratory operations, including Experience deploying specialized imaging systems within active fire environments, wildland firelines, or hazardous operational field sites to collect optical data on active flame fronts and thermal dynamics. Experience in engineering, building, or modifying custom optical instrumentation Experience in specialized scientific lighting techniques, such as sub-millisecond motion freezing (strobe bursts), dual-spectrum excitation lighting, barrier filtering, and real-time tethered digital image capture. Experience translating complex technological, physical, or environmental research into publication-ready visual assets for scientific documentation and high-impact public outreach. 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. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Education

Only specialized experience can qualify.