Summary This position Lead Wildland Firefighter position is located with the Southwest Region, Zuni Agency, Branch of Fire Management in Zuni, New Mexico. It will be filled from Standard PD Number DX00600, is categorized as an Assistant Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) Superintendent. NOTE: This position is being re-advertised to solicit additional applications. Applicants who previously applied, need not reapply unless you are submitting updated and/or missing information. Responsibilities Leads subordinates on an organized, highly skilled 18-20 person Hotshot Crew providing day-to-day fireline oversite making on-site evaluations of incident conditions, tactical decisions and determining appropriate responses. Determines preparedness and suppression needs, facilitates procurement, formulates and prepares project plans. Develops and implements a training program for fire suppression principles, fireline construction, and fire mop-up. Execute prescribed burn plans for complex burn projects. Evaluates work performance of subordinates, setting standards, monitoring, and final evaluating of subordinate performance. Identifies and analyzes suppression tactics and strategies on the fires. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for GS-0456: Wildland Firefighter Series; and Standards for Interagency Hotshot Crew Operations Qualifications Standards and Guide). GS-8: 1 year of specialized wildland fire experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level or higher in the Federal service. Examples of specialized: wildland fire management experience include serving in a leadership capacity on wildland fires, prescribed fires, and resource management projects to coordinate work, identify and analyze suppression tactics and strategies employed on wildland fires; making on-site evaluations of conditions and tactical decisions; determining appropriate responses specific to initial attack, large wildland fire suppression activities; determining preparedness and operational needs annually and exercising procurement authority; assists in formulating budget and tracking expenditures; and coordinates, facilitates/instructs wildland fire training courses. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS: These are MANDATORY qualification prerequisites to qualify for this position. The applicant must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements under the Standards for Interagency Hotshot Crew Operations to be considered eligible for this position: Strike Team Leader Crew (STCR) or Task Force Leader (TFLD); AND Crew Boss (CRWB); AND Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) 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 the above IHC required Incident Management Qualification and Training for this position when submitting your application. MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE (MEA) AND FIREFIGHTER SPECIAL RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a Primary/Rigorous Firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) (FERS). The maximum entry-age (MEA) 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. Applicants must be 18 years of age, but not have reached their 37th birthday by the closing date of this announcement. 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. These positions are covered by the special enhanced annuity retirement provisions for Federal Firefighters and Law Enforcement officers and have a mandatory retirement age of 57. Two exceptions are allowed: 1) an applicant has prior Federal service in documented special retirement covered position(s) sufficient to count toward 20 years of covered service on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57; or 2) an applicant is a qualified veterans' preference eligible, in which case the MEA is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service. 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. 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 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. 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 Zuni, New Mexico to choose the appropriate pay chart. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart. Note: "Salary may change with the release of the new (GW) pay schedule specific for firefighter positions. Pay may be adjusted for individuals onboarding on or before 4/14/25. Once released you will be able to access the new pay schedule through this link- https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE AUTHORIZED. ANY RELOCATION EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH REPORTING FOR DUTY WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SELECTED EMPLOYEE. The pay flexibilities of a recruitment bonus or relocation bonus may be authorized by the manager (pending availability of funds and higher management approval). TELEWORK: Indian Affairs 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 initially and 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?