Outreach Notice/Vacancy Announcement Hotshot Squad Leader GS-0462-06/07 Lead Forestry Technician Vacancy Announcements
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Zigzag Interagency Hotshot Crew Mt. Hood National Forest Zigzag Ranger District Outreach Notice/Vacancy Announcement Hotshot Squad Leader GS-0462-06/07 Lead Forestry Technician Vacancy Announcements 20-FIREFALL-IHCSQLR-67G 20-FIREFALL-IHCSQLR-67DP The Mt. Hood National Forest may be filling GS-462-06/07 Lead Forestry Technician-Hotshot Squadleader positions on the Zigzag Interagency Hotshot Crew during backfill in the permanent FireHire process. These positions are permanent seasonal appointments with a tour of 18 pay periods in pay status and a duty station of Zigzag, Oregon. There is not a current vacancy, but if any of the three squadleader positions become vacant in FireHire they will be immediately filled using the backfill process. It is strongly encouraged that interested applicants apply to these positions and contact the Superintendent in order to express interest. This notification is being circulated to inform prospective applicants of the upcoming opportunity and to determine interest in the position. POSITION This position is established on a Forest Service unit, to serve as a lead Forestry Technician on an Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC Hotshot Squadleader) for a National shared resource hotshot program. The primary purpose of this position is to lead a small (6-10) crew of highly effective and trained firefighters in wildland fire suppression and wildland urban interface/intermix incidents. This position may also serve as an assistant to the Assistant Hotshot Superintendent. This position is appropriate for those squadleaders on Interagency Hotshot Crews as identified in the National Hotshot Guide. DUTIES Serves as a highly trained and skilled fire suppression team leader on an Interagency Hotshot crew of firefighters in wildland fire suppression situations. Resolves a full range of irregular or problem situations encountered when performing a wide variety of either highly interrelated tasks or nonstandard fire suppression assignments. Anticipates fire behavior, determines strategy and tactics, directs on-line activities, and takes action to accomplish incident objectives. Performs various technical duties that involve differing and unrelated processes and methods. Locates line, directs and participates in line construction, backfire and burnout, hazard tree falling, saw lines, pump and hose lays, patrol, mop-up operations, etc. Directs and coordinates all types of related aircraft, fireline personnel and equipment. Constructs fireline in vegetation and topography ranging from the subtropics of the Florida Everglades, to the tundra of Alaska and Canada, to the dense spruce fir of the Northwest and Rocky Mountains, to the grass and cactus of the desert Southwest. Uses a variety of specialized tools, equipment, and techniques to actively suppress fires. Installs and maintains complex hose configurations. Collects and applies fire data such as fuel loading, tree stand density, fuel moisture, and weather. Operates a variety of motor vehicles to transport equipment, supplies, crewmembers, etc. Receives 2 weeks or more of intensive national standardized training in the principles and techniques of managing wildland fire and aviation operations. Wildland fire training includes classroom and field instruction in construction and holding appropriate firelines under varied conditions of topography and fuel, fire weather and fire behavior, general woodcraft skills, first aid, CPR and safety, communication and use of radios, and use of standard tools and equipment. This position may serve as Assistant Hotshot Superintendent as qualified and needed. During this time, has responsibility for numerous technical decisions concerning Hotshot Crew readiness and deployment without technical advice and assistance. Commonly resolves technical problems in situations where quick action is needed and where no technically qualified advisor is available. Leads a crew of up to ten personnel on prescribed fire implementation projects. Uses prescribed fire tools and equipment including terra, propane and drop torch, and all-terrain vehicles and engines. Coordinates with project leaders; obtains briefings, weather forecasts; reviews and/or prepares job hazard analysis; previews burn units, project objectives, and burn plans. Accomplishes project objectives in a safe, effective and professional manner; monitoring fire behavior, fire effects, and fire weather on management ignited prescribed fire projects. Presents formal and informal training programs in such areas as initial refresher courses, fire weather, fire behavior, power saw use, line construction, safety and first aid, air operations, water handling and pumps and hose lays, hand tool use, and other related field courses. Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques. Ensures own and other's welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignment. Responsible for the maintenance and repair of tools and equipment to meet individual crew needs, including hand tools, chainsaws, firing equipment, food and water provisions, and personal protective equipment; to ensure assigned personnel meet fire readiness standards on a daily basis. Completes equipment and personnel manifests. This is a primary firefighter position under the provisions of 5 USC 8336c (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). FS-IFPM Requirements This is an FS-IFPM position. The primary NWCG Core Requirements are: Crewboss and ICT5. Applicants are required to submit a copy of their IQCS Master Record (or equivalent training document). For further information on IFPM, click here. Taking and passing the Work Capacity Test (WCT) at the arduous level is a condition of employment. The arduous fitness (Pack) Test consists of a three (3) mile hike within forty-five (45) minutes while carrying a forty-five (45) pound pack. Incumbent must possess or be able to obtain (within 90 days of reporting date) a valid state Class B Commercial Driver’s License. He/she will be expected to maintain this license throughout their employment in order to operate crew carriers and is subject to state and federal drug testing programs. Community Information The Zigzag Ranger Station sits atop of the Sandy River Valley among the mountain villages of Welches, Rhododendron and Zigzag. The Sandy River flows 55 miles from its source to its mouth in the Columbia River near the communities of Gresham and Troutdale. The station is nested on the western approach to the Cascade Mountain Range immediately below the imposing Mount Hood. Summer temperatures are warm (normally in the low 90s) and winter temperatures are mild with only occasional below zero readings. Centrally positioned along the Valley (29 miles) is the town of Sandy, a full service community of over 10,000. Also in the immediate area is the town of Gresham with over 105,000 residents and the city of Portland, with a population of nearly 600,000, is just 45 miles to the west. Ample community and real estate information is available on the Internet. Housing prices range from $190,000 to $350,000+ for 3 bedroom/2 bath homes depending on location (Welches, Sandy, Gresham or Portland) and rentals of that size of homes are from $1500 to $1800+. Apartment rentals are from $600 to $1200 a month. There may be limited government housing available. The cities of Portland and Gresham provide excellent year round cultural, educational and entertainment opportunities, Portland itself is home to at least two major Universities, 19 colleges, professional sports teams and a multitude of museums and other activities. Portland is the largest urban center in the state of Oregon. ABOUT THE WESTSIDE FIRE ZONE The Westside Fire Zone is comprised of the Clackamas River and Zigzag Ranger Districts. Resources include the Zigzag Interagency Hotshot Crew, the Devil’s Ridge Handcrew, two T3 Engine Modules and one T6 Prevention Patrol. The Zone also works closely with the Timber Lake Civilian Conservation Center’s Forestry and Fire Program. The Zone typically responds to 30-40 initial attack fires a season with numerous opportunities to develop large fire experience both on and off forest. ABOUT THE FOREST The Mt. Hood National Forest, considered an urban forest, consists of 1,100,000 acres spread across four ranger districts: Barlow Ranger District in Dufur, Hood River Ranger District in Parkdale, Clackamas River Ranger District in Estacada and the Zigzag Ranger District in Zigzag. The Mt. Hood National Forest Headquarters office is located in Sandy. • The forest straddles the Cascade Mountain Range and varies from thick lush old growth Douglas-fir to high alpine to east side pine/oak forests. • There are 189,020 acres of wilderness (Mt. Hood, Hatfield, Salmon-Huckleberry, Badger, Bull of Woods, Mt. Jefferson) and 121 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers (Clackamas, Sandy, White, Salmon, Roaring). • The forest has a one of the largest special use permit programs in the nation, including 554 summer home permits located on the Zigzag Ranger District. • Mt. Hood, at 11,235 ft., is the second most visited and climbed glaciated peak in the world. • The historic Barlow Road section of the Oregon Trail crosses the forest. Ruts are visible in several places and several sites are used for historic/cultural interpretation. • Total recreation visitor days are approximately 4,825,000 including developed, dispersed and other activities. • The Mt. Hood N.F. has five ski areas - Cooper Spur, Mt. Hood Meadows, Ski Bowl, Summit, and Timberline. OUTREACH RESPONSE Interested applicants, or those desiring further information,