Summary This position is located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Region, Branch of Fire Management - Aviation in Fort Defiance, Arizona and will be filled from Standard PD Number: DX00400. This announcement will be used to fill vacancies utilizing the Direct-Hire Authority (5CFR 337.201). Category rating, veteran's preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do NOT apply for this vacancy. Responsibilities Serves as a Squad Leader on a Helicopter Firefighter crew providing leadership and oversight of wildland fire suppression/management/control work on a helitack module. Performs and/or oversees initial attack fire suppression activities, locates fireline, directs and participates in fireline construction, backfiring and burnout operations. Directs helicopter crewmember duties i.e., prepares internal/external cargo loads, briefs passengers, follows procedures for loading/unloading the helicopter, constructs helispots or landing areas, monitors dip sites, and prepares sling load sites. Leads aviation mission planning in coordination with pilot to include evaluation of environmental conditions, application of aviation safety plans, and briefing mission objectives. Participates in and may direct helicopter operations to include accompanying pilot on flights, providing radio communications to dispatch and/or ground firefighters, navigating with use of maps and applying aviation safety regulations. Inventories and inspects helicopter accessories, fire tools, and equipment including aerial ignition devices; and directs the readiness and assembly of helicopter support accessories and helicopter safety equipment Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: GS-6: 1 year of specialized wildland fire management work experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to, on-the-line wildland fire experience as a senior wildland firefighter in forest or range fire control, prevention or suppression work, prescribed burning; operating and maintaining specialized wildland fire tools, equipment, vehicles, and may include leading the work of crew personnel. Provided on-the-job training to personnel in use of wildland fire control equipment, methods and safety procedures. Performed technical specializations such as felling, saw repair and water handling. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: These are MANDATORY qualification prerequisites to qualify for this position. Applicant must have possessed the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) or higher Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) or higher Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) or higher. S-290, "Intermediate Fire Behavior" Training course NOTE: Selective factors are knowledges, skills, abilities, or special qualifications that are in addition to the minimum requirements in a qualification standard but are determined to be essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Applicants who do not meet the selective factors are ineligible for further consideration. You MUST provide a current copy of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other agency equivalent documentation which verifies you meet this required qualification for this position when submitting your application. MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE: The maximum entry-age for this position shall not exceed age 37, unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian law enforcement or firefighter experience or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in lost eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement. FIREFIGHTER SPECIAL RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a Primary firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) (FERS). date immediately prior to reaching an individual's 37th birthday is the maximum entry age (MEA) at which an applicant can be initially appointed into a primary firefighter position. Applicants initially appointed to a primary position MUST NOT have reached their 37th birthday. Applicants over the MEA of 37 MUST have enough prior covered service under the Firefighter Special Retirement benefit in order to be eligible for re-entry into a primary firefighter position. Temporary primary/rigorous covered service will only be credited if performed prior to January 1, 1989 (temporary service performed beginning 1/1/89 or later is not creditable for retirement). Applicants are responsible for submitting all supporting documentation prior to the closing date of a vacancy for an MEA determination. Acceptable forms of documentation consist of SF-50's showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable Federal civilian appointments or copies of agency approved certification letters based upon individual claims for coverage. Failure to provide this documentation with your application may result in the loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the closing date. The duties of this position are so rigorous that employment is limited to physically vigorous individuals who must meet established maximum age and physical qualification requirements. Physical Demands: Arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity. Work Environment: Forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor bivouac and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances. Firefighters may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (e.g., boots, hard hat, gloves, flame resistant clothing) Education Additional Information Indian Preference Policy: Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC Section 472). Verification form BIA-4432 must be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference. No other documents will be accepted as proof of Indian Preference. All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2025 Salary Tables here and select the duty station from Fort Defiance, Arizona to choose the appropriate pay chart. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart. A supplemental pay increase of $20,000 or 50% of base pay per year, is authorized under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law while funding is available. This is a permanent full-time seasonal career/conditional appointment. The incumbent will be in pay status at least 13 pay periods (26 weeks) or more depending on funding & workload not-to-exceed 25 pay periods (50 weeks) per calendar year. Services will not be required at certain times due to lack of work/funds, weather conditions, ceiling limitations or other unforeseen circumstances & will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status. TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE AUTHORIZED. ANY RELOCATION EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH REPORTING FOR DUTY WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SELECTED EMPLOYEE. TELEWORK: Indian Affairs management has determined that the duties of the position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval. This position has been designated as an Incidental Operator under the Indian Affairs Motor Vehicle Safety Program and requires the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle in order to properly carry out his/her assigned duties but whose principal duties are not operating a motor vehicle and his/her position is not classified as a motor vehicle operator. The incumbent will be required annually to acknowledge and certify possession of a valid state driver's license. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) OR Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Programs provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF50 noting position, grade level, duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee\_guides/career\_transition.asp This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see What are bargaining units?