Summary These positions are located at USDA Forest Service Units. This position is established on a Forest Unit to serve primarily as an operator of heavy equipment on Initial attack, fire, and fuels management activities. The operator also operates this equipment in support of other natural resource projects. For additional information about the duties of this position, please see the Additional Information section for contact details. Responsibilities The primary purpose of this position is the operation of a variety of heavy equipment for fire suppression activities. Incumbent must have an understanding of fire behavior, fuels, weather and topography to safely and effectively perform initial attack on wildland fires. Suppression activities may be under immediate supervision, however, incumbent may be required to conduct suppression activities independently. Operates one or more types of heavy equipment to push, pull, pile, or load materials such as sand, gravel, and earth. Clears brush, tree stumps, and rocks while constructing fire lines for suppression and prescribed fire activities. Adjusts the attachments for proper level, angle, or depth, according to the work to be done and the type of equipment used. Duties listed are at full performance grade WG-08 level. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 Federal Wage System Qualifications 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. Basic Requirement: You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Your application must clearly demonstrate through experience shown in the resume materials that you possess the skill level that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of Engineering Equipment Operator. Applicants will be evaluated on their ability to perform the duties of the position rather than length of experience. Eligibility will be determined by relevance, scope and quality of overall experience and training, regardless of where or how acquired. Applicants will be rated based on their knowledge of the job elements identified below: Screen-out Job Element: Applicants must show the Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. Applicants who do not meet the screen-out job elements will not be further evaluated. Applicant must meet the following Elements measuring knowledge, abilities, and personal characteristics directly associated with the job described below: Operation of Motor Vehicles Work Practices (includes keeping things neat, clean, and in order) Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation) Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles) Reliability and Dependability as an Engineering Equipment Operator Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Applicant must meet the following Elements measuring knowledge, abilities, and personal characteristics directly associated with the job described below: Experience operating engineering and construction equipment, such as graders, tractors with bulldozer or angledozer blades, front-end loaders, backhoes, trench diggers, and large industrial tractors with pan or scraper attachments to push, pull, fill, pile or load gravel or earth for fire management activities on flat or rolling terrain with simple terrain problems. Experience operating motor vehicles/equipment to perform engineering construction work on Initial attack, fire, fuels as well as supporting other natural resource projects. Experience performing the work of an engineering equipment operator to meet work schedules or deadlines. Experience following oral and written instructions to operate engineering/construction equipment for wildland fire suppression and other activities. Experience safely operating motor vehicles/equipment to perform engineering construction work on initial attack on wildland fires independently without causing injury to yourself, others, and the vehicles/equipment. Dependability and reliability operating engineering and construction equipment, such as graders, tractors with bulldozer or angledozer blades, front-end loaders, backhoes, trench diggers, and large industrial tractors with pan or scraper attachments to push, pull, fill, pile or load gravel or earth on flat or rolling terrain with simple terrain problems for constructing fire lines for suppression and prescribed fire activities. Selective Placement Factors: Class A or Class B Commercial Driver's License is required. Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement -OR-currently occupy a permanent position with primary fire fighter retirement coverage. For those who do not currently occupy a permanent Federal position covered under primary fire fighter retirement, you must be under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position; or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and requesting a waiver to the requirement. 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. FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a primary/rigorous position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System. WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS, MODERATE, or LIGHT level is a condition of employment. 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 qualification section for education requirements. Additional Information For additional information about the duties and location(s) of these positions, please contact regional representative: To see the different locations within the Regional Offices | US Forest Service (usda.gov) Region 1: Northern Region - Tiffany Counts at tiffany.countsusda.gov Region 2: Rocky Mountain Region - Scott McDermid at scott.mcdermid@usda.gov Region 3: Southwestern Region - Tobe Haught at tobe.haught@usda.gov Region 4: Intermountain Region - Celeste Hancock at celeste.hancock@usda.gov Region 5: Pacific Southwest Region - Deirdre Cherry at deirdre.cherry@usda.gov Region 6: Pacific Northwest Region - Jason Heinz at Jason.heinz@usda.gov Region 8: Southern Region - Russ Marchion at russell.marchion@usda.gov Region 9: Eastern Region - Brian Hicks at brian.a.hicks@usda.gov Job Corps Center: All Region- Dirk Huber at dirk.huber@usda.gov Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. These are permanent positions with varying tours of duty and may include weekend work. Some positions may have irregular and protracted hours of work. Tours of duty include full-time or less than full time (guaranteed minimum 13 pay periods full-time employment). Availability of government housing, federal day care facilities, and telework may be available. This is dependent upon unit location. Pay rates vary depending on location and may be higher or lower than the amount shown. Please visit the Appropriated Fund Wage Schedules webpage for additional information on pay rates. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer. The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional information is available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-and-leave-flexibilities-for-recruitment-and-retention/ Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email SM.FS.asc_tos@usda.gov Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE.