Wildland Fire Dispatch Forestry Technician

Quick Facts

• Role: Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)
• Full performance level: GW-07 career ladder
• Location: Alamogordo, New Mexico

Description

As a Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch), you help determine appropriate resource responses to wildland fire incidents by interpreting weather and processing field requests. You operate and/or direct dispatch telecommunications systems, input incident data into fire-related computer applications, and support operational planning through procedures, operating plans, and mobilization guides. You also receive fire reports, determine locations and land status, and provide current fire information under time-critical conditions.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and process weather information to anticipate fire suppression needs
• Determine resource allocation and incident response
• Operate and/or direct dispatch telecommunications systems and input data into fire-related computer applications
• Review and update internal operating procedures; recommend improvements; develop operating plans and mobilization guides
• Receive fire reports and determine incident locations, land status, and current fire information; direct others in these tasks

Requirements

• U.S. citizen or U.S. National
• Suitability for federal employment via background investigation
• Direct deposit required
• Pass a drug test prior to appointment; subject to random testing
• Selective Service registration requirement for eligible males
• Willingness/ability for on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work
• May require training and obtaining/maintaining a government charge card with travel/purchase authority
• May require operating a motor vehicle; maintain a valid state driver’s license
• 1-year probationary period; continued employment requires written certification that advancing the public interest
• Selective placement factor: prior primary/rigorous wildland firefighting experience from fire line work (containment, control, suppression, or use of wildland fire), clearly documented with months/days/hours worked
• Minimum qualification: at least 1 year specialized experience at GW-05 equivalent demonstrating at least 3 listed dispatch examples, OR 18 semester hours of directly related graduate education (transcripts required), OR an equivalent combination

Benefits

• Comprehensive U.S. government benefits package; eligibility depends on position type
• Telework only in an emergency or natural disaster