Job Listing: Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatcher)

Duty Locations

 few vacancies - Fairbanks, AK The BLM is a natural resources federal agency, responsible for managing 264 million acres in the U.S. Most of this public land is located in 12 Western States including Alaska, and includes some of the most ecologically and culturally diverse and scientifically important lands in Federal ownership. We are focused on supporting your career objectives and professional growth while encouraging a balance between your work life and personal life. The Alaska BLM is a multi-mission organization.

The Alaska Fire Service is located in Interior Alaska in Fairbanks.  The population of Fairbanks is approximately 65,000.  All amenities of a small city are available including a hospital, university and schools, and international airport.  Summer temperatures usually range from mid 70s to high 80s and winter temperatures can reach below -40 degrees F.  Fairbanks offers numerous activities including outdoor activities in summer and winter such as skiing, snow machining, hiking, canoeing, and backpacking (and Fairbanks is the central point for access throughout the state), cultural activities including a museum, exhibits, musical presentations, and numerous other activities. For Photos and more information check out the Alaska website at http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CF_COMDB.htm

 

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the Primary Initial Attack Fire Dispatcher in support of Alaska’s interagency fire suppression program.

Major Duties

As the Primary Initial Attack Dispatcher this position operates the Interagency Initial Attack Dispatch Section for Alaska Fire Service.  It becomes involved in single and multiple fire requests for services where priorities must be determined by the nature of the fire and values at risk in each situation.  This position draws on weather service data, fire weather indices, map atlases, fire computer programs, fuel type data, and personal experience.  It receives initial reports of wildfires from throughout Alaska, evaluates the reports, and determines proper response.  It flight follows all statewide tactical aircraft on display boards and oversees required documentation and notification of take off and landing times on all tactical aircraft.  It coordinates interzone statewide aerial fire detection.  It provides technical guidance and expertise in unusual and one-or-a-kind situations and develops appropriate responses to developing situations in both fire and all-risk response.
 
This position maintains an interagency fire numbering data base.  It maintains a statewide wall map display showing locations of available tactical resources, dedicated resources and resources in route as well as the locations and status of all significant wildfires.  It is responsible for creating and maintaining the official fire records for the center. 
 
This position is the primary contact for dispatchers from other offices in regards to dispatching procedures and use of tactical forces.  It is the primary contact with the public when receiving wildfire reports or requesting information concerning fires and smoke coverage.  It is responsible for coordinating Search and Rescue operations and over due aircraft response by the Coordination Center.
 
This position also develops models for tactical forces and inputs and runs computer models.  It makes recommendations and suggestions for the development and updating of technical equipment and systems, including radio system, teletypes and computer systems.  It participates on teams to develop new methods and approaches to wildfire dispatch.  It provides technical guidance and on-the-job training for other dispatchers as well as conducts formal training.
 
For more detailed information about the duties of this position, contact the supervisor, Dave Curry at (907) 356-5677

How to Apply

Applying for this position requires you to:

1) Complete the Assessment Questionnaire and;

2) Submit a resume and any applicable supporting documentation (see Required Documents section).

We encourage you to complete both of these steps online. Applying online is the most efficient and effective way to ensure your application is received and processed in a timely manner.  If you cannot submit all application materials online, you may submit some documents online and some offline.  For example, you may be able to submit the questionnaire and resume online but do not have an electronic copy of your transcripts.  In this case, you may submit the questionnaire and resume online and send the transcripts via fax. 

 

How to Submit An Online Application

Option 1

The USAJOBS web site provides a "Create a Resume" feature that you may use to develop and submit a resume for this position. The completed resume can be attached to this vacancy announcement and submitted electronically. To do so, scroll down to the end of the vacancy announcement. Click on the "Apply Online" icon. Then follow the USAJOBS web site instructions. Your resume will be attached only to the online Assessment Questionnaire you complete and Submit from this session, not to any Questionnaires you may already have Saved or Submitted. If you do not have all the requested documents stored in the USAJOBS resume builder you will be able to upload the rest of your documents and/or fax the remaining documents, such as veterans preference or transcript documentation. See information below for how to fax supporting documentation. 

OR

Option 2

If your resume is going to be one you prepared outside of the USAJOBS Resume Builder, click this link to begin the process: Online Questionnaire.  You will fill out the online Assessment Questionnaire and be able to upload documents through a browse feature.  After the assessment questionnaire is submitted, you will receive a notice that indicates the submission was successful.

 

All resumes must be submitted by midnight Eastern time on the Thursday, April 10, 2008.

 

Instructions for answering the questions in the online Assessment Questionnaire:

You may omit any optional information; however, you must provide responses to all required questions. Be sure to double check your application before submission by viewing your answers before submitting your answers.  You must click the "Submit Your Answers" button when you are done.  Follow the instructions that appear on the screen until you receive an acknowledgment that your answers have been successfully submitted. The online Assessment Questionnaire must be completed and submitted by 12:00 midnight Eastern time on the Thursday, April 10, 2008.

 

How to properly save and return to complete your online Assessment Questionnaire:

If you want to "Save" an incomplete online Assessment Questionnaire and return later, select the "Save" button at the top or bottom of each of the application pages and click the "Logout" button.

If you have "Saved" an incomplete online Assessment Questionnaire, you may finish it and/or upload documents by clicking on or inserting this link into your internet browser https://www.ApplicationManager.org. Insert your USAStaffing Application Manager User Name and Password and click the "Go" button. Once you are logged in, click on the Vacancy ID  LT183280 number on which you would like to work.

If you submit more than one online Assessment Questionnaire for this position, the most recent one submitted is the one that is used. Therefore, it is important for you to complete it in its entirety.

 

How to Verify Your Application Materials Have Been Successfully Submitted

1. Go to https://www.ApplicationManager.org and log in using your USAStaffing Application Manager User Name and Password.

2. Verify that your questionnaire, resume, and supporting documents were submitted successfully by clicking on the appropriate Vacancy ID  LT183280.

3. Verify that all of your documents where submitted by reviewing the table.

- If an Item (Type of Document) on the table appears with a status of "OK", that Item was successfully submitted.  Veterans Please Note: Submittal of veteran documentation is REQUIRED.  VETERANS MUST SUBMIT VETERAN DOCUMENTATION AT TIME OF APPLICATION.

 

What to Do If You Cannot Apply Online

Your application and all supporting documents must be submitted online and/or by fax.  If you cannot submit online or by fax, give the specialist handling this announcement a call.  We encourage you to submit your assessment questionnaire, resume, and supporting documentation online. Applying online is the most efficient and effective way to ensure your application is received and processed in a timely manner.

 

If you are able to complete the assessment questionnaire online, as outlined above, but unable to submit your resume/supporting documentation online, you may fax all or part of your other documentation to the Office of Personnel Management office in Macon, GA. If you fax your resume/documentation you must use a special cover page. To print a copy of the required cover page insert this internet address into your browser http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf. The information contained on the cover page must match the information you provided on the assessment questionnaire. The vacancy ID number LT183280, your name, and SSN should be written accurately and neatly in large block letters. This special cover page is used to match your documents with the record you established when you submitted the online assessment questionnaire. If the information is inaccurate or incomplete you may not receive consideration for this position. The fax number to submit your documents is: 1-478-757-3144.

 

Likewise, you may submit your assessment questionnaire by fax.  To complete the assessment questionnaire in hard copy form, click this link to print a copy of the OPM Form1203-FX or insert or type this internet address into your browser http://www.opm.gov./Forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf   You can also obtain a copy of the OPM Form 1203-FX by calling USAJOBS by phone at (703)724-1850. Print a copy of this job announcement and use the Form 1203-FX as a response sheet when answering the assessment questionnaire portion of this announcement. 

 

Please do not fax or mail applications to our Anchorage office.  Any materials received in the Anchorage office will not be considered.

 

Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the DOI Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. They must meet the qualification standard and eligibility requirements for the position, including minimum educational and experience requirements, meet all selective factors where applicable and be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry. Well qualified for CTAP and ICTAP eligibles applies to individuals with experience that is directly related to the type of work described in the "Major Duties," who have obtained a rating of 90 or above in the automated evaluation process. Information about the DOI career transition assistance program (CTAP) and Interagency
Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) may be found at http://www.doi.gov/hrm/guidance/fctap97.pdf

If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.

Who Can I Contact if I Have a Question?
If you have questions about this announcement or the application process, contact Joy Edge at (907) 271-3338 or toll free at (888) 859-4183 or email at Joy_Edge@blm.gov. Reference the title of this announcement and this vacancy announcement numberBLMAK-08-183280-JE

Required Documents:

NOTE:  FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS THAT APPLY TO YOU BEFORE MIDNIGHT EASTERN TIME (EIGHT O’CLOCK ALASKA TIME) ON Thursday, April 10, 2008 WILL RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION NOT BEING CONSIDERED.

 

* Resume – You may submit your resume, curriculum vitae, the Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612), or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications.  This must be submitted electronically or faxed. Please ensure that your resume contains your full name, address, phone and at least your last four digits of your social security number.  If you are submitting your resume other than online there is a 10 page limit.  The system will not accept pages beyond the limit and that information will be lost.  There is no limit for submitting online.

 

* DD-214/SF-15 for Veteran’s Preference - Individuals wishing to claim Veteran’s Preference must submit a copy of their DD-214.  Applicants who fail to submit a copy of their DD-214 will not be given Veteran’s Preference. If you are currently on active duty and do not yet have a DD-214, you must submit a letter from your commanding officer certifying that you have completed at least 180 consecutive days of active service and you are being discharged under honorable conditions. To claim 10-point veteran’s preference, submit an SF-15 along with your supporting documents as shown on the SF-15.  You must submit the required documentation to verify/confirm your claim, or you will NOT be given 10 points Veteran’s Preference. Additional information about veteran’s preference is found at http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp .   If you are submitting your veteran’s preference documentation other than online there is a 6 page limit.  The system will not accept pages beyond the limit and that information will be lost.  There is no limit for uploading documents.

 

* SF-50 – CTAP/ICTAP Eligibles - If you are a current or former Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Program (ICTAP), you must submit a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating and a copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location by the closing date of this announcement. Annotate on the cover sheet or prominently on page 1 of your application that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.  If you fail to submit this documentation by midnight Eastern Time of the closing date of this announcement, you will not receive priority consideration.  If you are submitting your CTAP/ICTAP documents other than online there is a 6 page limit.  The system will not accept pages beyond the limit and that information will be lost.  There is no limit for uploading documents.

Contact Information:
Joy Edge

Phone: (907)271-3338

Email: joy_edge@blm.gov


Or write:
Bureau of Land Mgmt Alaska
222 West 7th Street Ave 13
Anchorage, AK 99513


What To Expect Next:

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful.  After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your rating and or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.

 

Instructions for answering the questions in the Occupational Questionnaire: If you are applying to this announcement by completing the OPM 1203-FX form instead of using the Online Application method, please use the following step-by-step instructions as a guide to filling out the required questionnaire. You will need to print the vacancy announcement and refer to it as you answer the questions. You may omit any optional information; however, you must provide responses to all required questions. Be sure to double check your application before submission.

Social Security Number


Vacancy Identification Number

The Vacancy Identification Number is:  LT183280
1. Title of Job

Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatcher)
2. Biographic Data

3. E-Mail Address


4. Work Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

5. Employment Availability

6. Citizenship

Are you a citizen of the United States?
7. Background Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

8. Other Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

9. Languages

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

10. Lowest Grade


0708
11. Miscellaneous Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

12. Special Knowledge

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

13. Test Location

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

14. Veteran Preference Claim

15. Dates of Active Duty - Military Service

16. Availability Date


17. Service Computation Date

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

18. Other Date Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

19. Job Preference

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

20. Occupational Specialties


001 Fire Dispatcher
21. Geographic Availability


0737 Fairbanks, AK
22. Transition Assistance Plan

23. Job Related Experience

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

24. Personal Background Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

25. Occupational/Assessment Questions:

Minimum qualifications for Fire Dispatcher (Initial Attack), GS-0462.

1. I have at least one year of forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal Service to qualify at the GS-7.

A. YES.
B. NO.

2. I have at least one year of forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal Service to qualify at the GS-8.

A. YES.
B. NO.

The following selective placement factors are a requirement for the position.

3. I have prior initial attack dispatching with a wildland firefighting agency

A. YES.
B. NO.

Describe you prior initial attack dispatching experience.

4. I have a minimum of 90 days of wildland firefighting experience. Wildland firefighting experience is defined as on-the-line wildland firefighting experience gained through containment, control, suppression, or use of wildland fire. Wildland fire is defined as any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland. The three types of wildland fire are wildfire, wildland fire use, and prescribed fire. Wildfire is defined as an unplanned, unwanted wildland fire, including unauthorized human-caused fires, escaped wildland fire use events, escaped prescribed fire projects, and all other wildland fires where the objective of the firefighter is to put the fire out. Wildland fire use is described as the application of the appropriate management response to naturally ignited wildland fires to accomplish specific resource management objectives in predefined designated areas outlined in Fire Management Plans. Prescribed Fire is defined as any fire ignited by management actions to meet specific objectives. A written, approved prescribed fire plan must exist, and the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) requirements (where applicable) must be met, prior to ignition. This description includes only fireline experience on a Prescribed Fire; it does not include experience in the planning stages. Prescribed fire experience must be supplemented by fire suppression experience in order to be creditable as previous wildland firefighting experience.

A. YES.
B. NO.

Describe your 90 days wildland firefighting experience and where you received it.

Knowledge of resource types and capabilities used to meet fire management objectives.

5. I am rated a qualified Dispatch Recorder (EDRC)

A. YES.
B. NO.

For each task in the following group choose the statement from the Level Descriptions that best describes your level of proficiency acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience and/or training for the tasks listed below. Select only one letter for each task.

A- I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.
B- I have had education or training in performing this task, but have not yet performed it on the job.
C- I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.
D- I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
E- I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised the performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.

6. Performs as a support dispatcher or dispatch recorder for multiple resource types.

7. Deploys tactical resources in a wildland fire dispatch center.

8. Performs in a wildland fire functional area other than dispatch.

9. Evaluates differences in costs, and response times for available resources.

10. Evaluates capabilities, restrictions, support requirements, and functional use of resources to determine best response options to an incident.

Knowledge of mobilization methods and procedures.

11. Establishes resource orders for incidents or projects through the Resource Ordering and Status System (ROSS).

12. Initiates resource requests for an incident or project through the Resource Ordering and Status System (ROSS).

13. Places requests to external providers, a warehouse cache, or a buying team/procurement officer.

14. Fills requests with local providers.

15. Procures rental or call when needed aircraft.

16. Arranges aircraft or ground transportation for mobilization or demobilization of resources.

17. Tracks availability and location status of resources.

18. Determines support needs for deployed resources.

Ability to lead and direct the work of others.

19. Provides direction to other employees in a supervisory or lead role.

20. Directs or provide supervision to other dispatchers.

21. Performs as an instructor for wildland fire related courses.

22. I have received training in supervision.

A. YES.
B. NO.

Knowledge of wildland fire management operations.

23. I have completed Introduction to the Incident Command System (I-100) or higher level ICS course.

A. YES.
B. NO.

24. I have completed Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190) or higher level fire behavior course.

A. YES.
B. NO.

25. I have instructed ICS or wildland fire skill courses.

A. YES.
B. NO.

For each task in the following group choose the statement from the Level Descriptions that best describes your level of proficiency acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience and/or training for the tasks listed below. Select only one letter for each task.

A- I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.
B- I have had education or training in performing this task, but have not yet performed it on the job.
C- I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.
D- I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
E- I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised the performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.

26. Fills any position (overhead or crewmember) on a wildland fire, wildland fire use, or prescribed fire incident.

27. Performs in a support position (dispatch, warehouse, transportation, etc.) within a fire management organization.

Ability to process and communicate information.

28. Uses radios to flight follow aircraft.

29. Transmits weather forecasts and other information necessary for tactical decisions to field personnel.

30. Relays information between field personnel and managers through various means including radios, telephones, or satellite phones.

31. Notifies managers and conducted oral briefings of incident status.

32. Provides input for written plans, guides, or standard operating procedures.

33. Collects and records information into incident related database systems.

34. This is a career seasonal permanent position. Initial tour of duty will be full-time. Your services will not be required at certain times due to lack of work, lack of funds, weather conditions or for other reasons. During these periods you will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status. It is expected that you will work at least 6 months per year, but not more than 50 weeks or 25 pay periods on a full-time basis. Are you willing to accept these conditions?

A. YES
B. NO

35. Are you willing to undergo a urinalysis drug test?

A. YES
B. NO

36. This position requires long hours (up to 16 hours per shift), varying shifts, and on-call status. Are you willing to accept these conditions?

A. YES
B. NO