Engineering Equipment Operator

Summary

This position is located within a National Forest. The position is located on a fire crew as a crewmember within the fire management organization. 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.

Duties

• •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.
• •Work is generally done on flat or rolling terrain with simple terrain problems.
• •May serve in positions as qualified on wildland and prescribed fire.
• •May perform a full range of duties for fire, roads, timber, silviculture, recreation, wilderness, or research activities.
• •Is required to have a good degree of mechanical ability and skill to perform preventive maintenance and minor repair of equipment.
• •Transports heavy equipment to job site.
• •Completes all agency required administrative duties.
• •May provide direction and instruction to personnel assigned to assist.
• •Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical capabilities.

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. Applicants will be evaluated on their ability to perform the duties of the position rather than length of experience. Eligibility will be determined by the relevance, scope and quality of all experience and training, regardless of where or how acquired. Applicants will be ranked and rated based on their knowledge of the job elements identified in this announcement. Job Elements: Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. 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 There is no substitution of education for this position. Selective Placement Factors Position is required to drive vehicles that require a Class A or Class B Commercial Driver's License, based on type or kind of equipment being operated. Incumbent ensures appropriate permits are obtained for transporting and operating assigned equipment. This position is a Test Designated Position (TDP) under the Forest Service/Department of Transportation (DOT) Alcohol and Controlled Substances Testing Program. This is a testing designated position which requires a negative test result for illegal drug use prior to appointment and randomly thereafter. Incumbent is subject to medical screening and must meet the Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Qualification Standards for moderate level wildland firefighting. To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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 MODERATE level is a ''condition of employment.'' The Moderate fitness (Field) test requires completing a two (2) mile hike within thirty (30) minutes, while carrying a twenty-five (25) pound pack. In accordance with USDA Department Regulation 4430-792-2, this position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the USDA Drug Free Workplace Program and subject to pre-employment drug testing. All applicants selected for this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Incumbents of this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis on an ongoing random basis, after appointment as directed. 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.