OUTREACH/ANNOUNCEMENTGS-0462-4/5 Forestry Technician – Hotshot/Handcrew

Ozark-St. Francis National ForestBoston Mountain-Mt. Magazine Ranger District

THE JOB:The Ozark-St. Francis National Forest will be filling two GS-4/5 Forestry Technician – Hotshot/Hancrew positions on the Boston Mtn.-Magazine Ranger District. These are permanent-seasonal 13/13 positions. Duty station(s) include Ozark and/or Paris, AR.

MAJOR DUTIES:Serves on a fire crew performing duties in fire prevention and suppression. Performs prescribed burning crew duties in order to reduce fuel hazards and disease, while protecting wildlife. Lays or directs hose in the use of water. Moves dirt, chops brush, and fells small trees to build fireline using various hand tools such as axes, shovels, Pulaskis, and McLeods to control spreading wildland fire and/or to prepare lines prior to controlled burning. Chops, carries, and piles logging slash. Searches out and extinguishes burning materials by moving dirt, applying water by hose or backpack pump. Patrols fireline to locate and extinguish sparks, flare-ups, and hot spots that may threaten loss of control of the fire. Cleans, reconditions, and stores simple fire tools and equipment. Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical capabilities. Performs other duties as assigned.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:This position has been identified under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) and is subject to selective placement factor requirements contained in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard and Guide when filling this vacancy. IFPM selective placement factors are made up of a primary and secondary National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) core Incident Management Qualifications and Required Training. The applicant must possess these qualifications to be considered eligible for this position. For further information: http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/management/ifpm/index.html

IFPM requirements for this position are: FFT1 (Squad Boss) S-290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior Minimum 90 days experience performing wildland fire suppression duties as a

member of an organized fire suppression crew or comparable unit.

Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the 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.

Firefighter retirement coverage: This is a primary/rigorous firefighter position under the provision of 5 USC 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS).

A valid driver’s license is required.

HOW TO APPLY:The open continuous vacancy announcement for this position is posted on the U.S. Government’s official website for employment opportunities at www.usajobs.gov . The vacancy number for this position is listed below.

Demo - 15-FIREOCR-462IHCHCRW-45DP

Merit - 15-FIREOCR-462IHCHCRW-45G

If you are interested in this position:1. Complete the attached outreach response form and return it by email to Rickey

Williamson at rwilliamson@fs.fed.us or by mail to: U.S. Forest Service, Attn: Rickey Williamson, 3001 East Walnut, Paris, AR 72855. Please put the following in the subject line of your email: “Response to Forestry Technician – Senior Firefighter”.

2. Apply to the vacancy on the USAJOBS website. In order to be considered, ensure your application is completed in USAJOBS by October 30, 2014. A referral list of applicants will be requested following this date.

For additional information about the job or the district, contact Rickey Williamson, Fire Management Officer (Paris, AR), 479-963-3076 or Mike Klick, Asst. Fire Management Officer (Ozark, AR), at 479-667-7906.

BOSTON MTN. RANGER DISTRICT INFORMATION

The Boston Mtn. Ranger Districts is named after the Boston Mtn. portion of the Ozark Plateau formation and has one of the highest points in the state. The district encompasses about 195,000 in three separate units; the Main Division, Lee Creek and Wedington. The combined fire programs typically prescribe burn approximately 14,000 acres and responds to 10-20 wildfires each year.

THE COMMUNITY:The district office is located in the community of Ozark, a town of about 3,500 located on the banks of the Arkansas River. Ozark is located approximately 41 miles east of Fort Smith AR, and about 50 miles west of Russellville, AR. Little Rock, AR, the state capitol, is located about 121 miles to the east of Ozark.

Ozark has one public elementary school, one middle school, one high school and Arkansas Tech University, Ozark Campus. Most major religious denominations are represented in the area. Mercy Hospital-Turner Memorial provides modern health care services. Dentists, chiropractors, and optometrists have practices in the area. Major medical services are available in Fort Smith, 41 miles west of Ozark. There is one small airport, and 3 motels and 3 bed and breakfasts in Ozark. One local weekly paper, "The Spectator" is published in Ozark. More information regarding the city of Ozark can be found at: www.ozarkchamberofcommerce.com .

There are a variety of recreational activities available including the Arkansas and Mulberry Rivers, Shores Lake Rec Area, White Rock Mountain, the Ozark Highlands Trail, Cove Lake Rec Area, and Mount Magazine State Park. The average winter temperature in the area is about 40o with an average daily minimum of 31o. In summer the average daily temperature is 80o, with an average daily maximum temperature of 92o. The annual average precipitation is about 45”. The average annual snowfall is 5”.

Housing prices in the area range from $60,000-$200,000.Rental houses and apartments range from $350 to $600/month.

MT. MAGAZINE RANGER DISTRICT INFORMATION

The district is named after Mt. Magazine, the highest mountain in the state at 2,753 feet. It is 100,000 acres and has a balanced program. The timber program is very large with an average of 24,000 ccf of shortleaf pine and hardwood harvested per year. There is a significant KV wildlife program with controlled burning, food plots and ponds being major components. The entire district is a State Coop Wildlife Management Area with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Hunting and fishing are popular pastimes. Recreation is also a large program on the forest. There are two recreational lakes along with campgrounds, a horsecamp and 30 miles of horse trails, 20 miles of hiking trails, a National and State scenic byway and a $50,000,000 State Park on Mt. Magazine operating through special-use permit. The special-use program is also very active with 21 communication towers, scientific research permits, special event permits and forest road permits. The grazing and mineral programs are generally small programs.

THE COMMUNITY: The district office is located in Paris, a small community of about 3,600 people. Paris is one of the county seats in Logan County. The district is located in both Logan and Yell Counties. Employment in Paris is primarily in manufacturing and agriculture.

The Paris School District has an elementary school, middle school, and high school. There is also a private Catholic school, K-8, and a boys college preparatory school in nearby Subiaco. All major churches are represented in the area. Paris has a hospital and private medical clinic as well as three dentists, two optometrists, a public library, several restaurants, Wal-Mart, and a Boys and Girls Club. For those interested in the services provided by a metropolitan area, Ft. Smith with a population of over 86,000 is located 40 miles west of Paris. For more information about the community you may go to the Paris Area Chamber of Commerce’s website at http://www.parisaronline.com/.

Outreach ResponseGS-4/5 Forestry Technician – Hotshot/Handcrew

Ozark, AR & Paris, AR

Preferred Duty Station(s): Ozark _____ Paris _____ Either _____

PERSONAL INFORMATION:Name DateAddressCity StateZip E-MailPhone #sAre you currently a federal employee?If Yes, current agency and location current title/series/gradeType of Appointment Permanent_

__Term____ Temporary___

_Type of Schedule Full-time

____Part-time__

Intermittent___

If you are not a current permanent (career or career conditional) employee, are you eligible for appointment under any of the following special authorities (check the appropriate box):

Person with DisabilitiesVeterans Recruitment ActFormer Peace Corps VolunteerDisabled Veteran with 30% Compensable DisabilityPathways ProgramVeterans Employment Opportunities Act 0f 1998Other, please describe:

Any other information you would like to provide regarding your interest and/or qualifications: