Outreach Notice
Supervisory Fire Engine Operator
(SFEO)
GS-0462-6/7
Rocky Mountain Region (R2)
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
Parks Ranger District and Yampa Ranger District
Announcement #: OCR14-462-SFEO(M)-6/7G (Merit)
OCR14-462-SFEO(M)-6/7DP (DEMO)
Job Title: Supervisory Fire Engine Operator (SFEO)
Duty Locations: Walden, CO and Yampa, CO
Position Information: Permanent Seasonal 18/8
Series and Grade: GS-0462-06/07
**The open period for these Job Announcement numbers is anticipated to begin in December 1,
2013 and will then be available online at www.usajobs.gov.
** Do not apply to Job Announcement numbers OCRP-462-SFEO(M)-6/7G or OCRP-462SFEO(M)-6/7DP because the open period for these announcements closes on November 30,
2013.
Introduction
The Medicine Bow- Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin National Grassland is looking for
personnel with a high level of Duty, Respect and Integrity to fill TWO Supervisory Fire Engine
Operator GS-0462-06/07 permanent seasonal (18/8) positions. These vacancies are located on
the Parks Ranger District in Walden, CO and on the Yampa Ranger District in Yampa, CO. These
positions will serve as the engine module leader on Engine 617 (Walden) and Engine 618
(Yampa) which serve the Routt Zone Fire Management Program. The Routt Zone Fire Program is
comprised of the Hahns Peak-Bears Ears, Parks, and Yampa Ranger Districts. Duties include
pre-suppression, suppression, prescribed fire and fuels management. There is no promotion
potential above the GS-7 level.
This position will be filled off of the Open Continuous Recruitment (OCR) vacancy
announcement OCR14-462-SFEO(M)-6/7G (for merit) and/or OCR14-462-SFEO(M)-6/7DP (for
demo) being advertised on the official website www.usajobs.gov.
You must designate Walden, CO and/or Yampa, CO as the duty station in order to be
considered. These are Open Continuous vacancy announcements with no closing date. Those
that wish to be considered for this position must apply to the vacancy announcement by close of
business December 30th, 2013.
All applicants who have applied to the announcement on or
before this date and are found to be qualified and in the quality group will be referred to the
selecting official for consideration.
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Major Duties
Leads crews and performs duties in the following functional areas:
 Wildland Fire: Serves as an Engine Boss supervising a two to three person crew. During
initial attack fire suppression activities, locates fireline, directs and participates in fireline
construction, backfiring and burnout operations, engine and pump operations, tree falling and
holding/patrol/mop up operations. Constructs hand lines in various vegetative types. Uses a
variety of specialized tools, equipment and techniques to actively suppress fires. Performs the
duties of a fully qualified chainsaw operator. Performs chainsaw maintenance and makes
minor repairs. Certified in the use of helicopter long lines.
 Prescribed Fire: Serves as an Engine Boss supervising a two to three person crew. Performs
prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop up.
Monitors fire behavior, fire effects, and fire weather on prescribed fires and wildland fire use.
Performs the duties of a fully qualified chainsaw operator, chainsaw maintenance, and minor
repair. May use specialized firing equipment (e.g. fusees, drip torches, flares, and terra
torch).
Duties Common to All Functional Areas
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Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior
in responding to wildland fire incidents. When positioning and deploying personnel and
equipment, recommends best approaches and practices to use in protection of the values at
risk and public/firefighter safety.
Makes initial evaluation of fire situations, determines rate of spread, potential hazards to
property and other improvements, suppression method to use, hose lays, deployment of
crew, point of initial attack, type of tools to use and application of water.
Responsible for operation and maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to
wildland and prescribed fire situations. Accomplishes emergency repairs as necessary to
permit continued use of equipment. In those instances when the apparatus cannot be used
effectively in suppressing the fire, the incumbent takes appropriate control action in attacking
the fire.
Provides training in wildland fire and safety techniques, practices, and methods of fire
suppression and in the safe, efficient operation and use of tools, equipment, and vehicles
used in fire suppression activities, with emphasis on those used for the particular function
assigned. Participates in crew proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques.
Ensures own and other's welfare and safety in all aspects of the assignment.
Operates a variety of motor vehicles to transport equipment, supplies, crew members, etc.
Performs basic first aid.
Leadership Duties
While performing all of the above duties, provides daily leadership and training of all
crewmembers. Serves as a working leader for two to three crewmembers, may also lead
additional technicians and detailers. Instructs crew members in specific tasks and techniques;
conducts on-the-job training; distributes and controls work assignments among employees,
assures timely accomplishment of assigned tasks; maintains work notes and records; reports on
work accomplishments, ensures that the work is carried out safely; reports on performance
problems and issues. Responsible for overall supervision of the crew.
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Additional Duties
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May lead hazardous fuel reduction projects including thinning, cutting and piling vegetation
through use of mechanical means, e.g., chainsaw, etc.
May lead project work such as road and trail maintenance, inventory fuel beds, habitat
improvement, burned area rehabilitation, and miscellaneous equipment and facilities
maintenance.
May assist higher level workers in forestry/range research efforts; in the marketing of
forest/range resources; or in the scientific management, protection, and development of
forest/range resources.
May lead in the preparation of hazardous fuels treatment plans and burn plans based on
predicted fire behavior and risk assessment. Drafts prescribed fire perimeter maps. Monitors
smoke dispersal and fire effects.
Collects fire data such as fuel loading, tree stand density, fuel moisture, maps projects,
weather, and maintains records.
Hears and resolves minor complaints from employees. Refers group grievances and more
serious unresolved complaints to higher-level supervisor. Effects minor disciplinary measures
such as warnings and recommends other action in more serious cases.
Other Significant Facts
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Must possess a valid state driver's license.
May require the incumbent to obtain and maintain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). If
CDL is required, all applicants for, and incumbents of this position are subject to random
alcohol and drug testing.
Travel is required.
FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a primary/rigorous firefighter position under the
provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS).
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 ARDUOUS level is a ''condition of employment.'' The Arduous fitness (Pack) Test requires
completing a three (3) mile hike within forty-five (45) minutes, while carrying a forty-five (45)
pound pack.
Minimum Federal Qualification Requirements
This position has been identified as a Moderate Complexity Supervisory Fire Engine Operator in
the Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) Standard. The selective placement
factors for a SFEO on a moderate complexity engine are:
Primary NWCG Core Requirement:
Engine Boss (ENGB)
Secondary NWCG Core Requirement: Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5)
Additional Required Training:
S-211, Portable Pumps and Water Use
Once hired, CURRENCY IS REQUIRED FOR ALL SFEO POSITIONS, however applicants do not
need to be “Current” in their NWCG qualifications to be eligible for the position, but must attain
“currency” within one year of hire.
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Information about the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin
National Grassland
The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder basin National Grassland is headquartered
in Laramie, Wyoming approximately 150 miles southeast of Casper Wyoming. It encompasses
nearly 3 million acres from the north and eastern borders of Wyoming, south almost to the
Colorado River that traverses north central Colorado. The Forest is divided into 6 Ranger
Districts: 3 in Wyoming and 3 in Colorado. Additional information about the area can be found at
http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/mbr.
The Medicine Bow National Forest dates back to May 22, 1902, with the establishment of the
Medicine Bow Forest Reserve by President Theodore Roosevelt. The Medicine Bow contains
1,665,721 acres of National Forest land within its boundaries. It consists of three Ranger
districts: Brush Creek/Hayden at Saratoga, Laramie District at Laramie, and the Douglas District
/ Thunder Basin National Grasslands at Douglas.
The Routt National Forest is located in northern Colorado. It was established by President
Theodore Roosevelt in 1905 as the Park Range Forest Reserve, and then the name changed to
the Routt National Forest in honor of Colonel John N. Routt, the last territorial and the first State
Governor of Colorado. The Routt includes 1,126,650 acres of National Forest land within its
boundaries. It now consists of three Ranger Districts: Hahn’s Peak-Bears Ears at Steamboat
Springs, Parks at Walden, and Yampa at Yampa. The Middle Park District at Kremmling is part
of the Arapaho National Forest but is administered as part of the Routt, and as a part of the
Parks District. It includes 232,846 acres of National Forest.
Elevations on the Forest range from about 5,000 feet to over 12,000 feet. Vegetation varies
from sage brush-grasslands at the lower elevations to mixed conifer forests of pine, spruce, fir
and aspen in the upper elevations. Wildlife is abundant, with pronghorn, elk, moose, mule deer,
and black bear being the most common larger species. The North Platte and Yampa Rivers are
blue ribbon trout fisheries which are also popular with rafting and kayaking enthusiasts.
District Information
The Yampa Ranger District consists primarily of Lodgepole pine and mixed conifer at higher
elevations. This district is home to the Flat Tops Wilderness area. Many reservoirs such as
Stagecoach and rivers like the Yampa offer excellent fishing opportunities year round. It is
primarily a stand replacing fire regime with sage/grassland valleys. An epidemic mountain pine
beetle infestation has created a unique and challenging fire management situation. All activities
typical of Colorado high country exist skiing, rafting, kayaking, biking, back packing, hunting and
fishing.
The Parks Ranger District consists primarily of Lodgepole pine and mixed conifer at higher
elevations. This district is home to the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area. Many reservoirs such as
Lake John and Delaney Buttes, and rivers like the North Platte and its tributaries offer excellent
fishing opportunities year round. It is primarily a stand replacing fire regime with
sage/grassland valleys in lower elevations and southerly aspects. The District is interagency in
nature as it borders significant amounts of BLM and Colorado State Forest/Parks land. An
epidemic mountain pine beetle infestation has created a unique and challenging fire
management situation in the area. All activities typical of Colorado high country exist such as
skiing, rafting, kayaking, biking, back packing, hunting, and fishing.
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Duty Station:
The official duty station for the Yampa Ranger District is located in Yampa, Colorado. Yampa is
located at 7,881ft. elevation and currently has a population of approximately 427 people. It is a
small community that offers year round recreation opportunities just minutes from town. The
closest larger city is Steamboat Springs which offers many amenities and is approximately a 45
minute drive from Yampa.
The official duty station on the Parks Ranger District is located in Walden, Colorado. Walden is
located at 8,100’ in elevation and currently has a population of approximately 608 people, the
population in Jackson County is 1,394 with many of these individuals living and working on
ranches in the area. Amenities in Walden include a small grocery store, the North Park Medical
Clinic, North Park School (K-12), a bowling alley, several restaurants, and churches of varying
denominations. It is a small community that offers year round recreation opportunities just
minutes from town. The closest larger cities are Laramie, Wyoming and Steamboat Springs,
Colorado both of which are approximately a one hour drive (65 miles) and both offer many
amenities including large grocery stores, hospitals, movie theaters, a variety of restaurants, and
even more recreation opportunities.
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Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin National Grassland
Outreach Response Form
Position Title: Supervisory Fire Engine Operator
GS-0462-6/7
TWO Positions: Walden, CO and Yampa, CO
NAME:
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
MAILING ADDRESS:
STREET ADDRESS:
CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE:
TELEPHONE:
CURRENT STATUS:
Agency:
USFS
BLM
Other
Type of
Permanent
Temporary
Term
VRA
PWD
Appointment:
Region:
Forest:
District:
Series:
Grade:
Position Title:
If you are not currently a permanent (career or career conditional) employee, are you eligible
to be hired under any of the following special authorities?
People with Disabilities
Veterans Readjustment Authority
Disabled Veterans w/30% Compensable
Disability
Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998
Former Peace Corps Volunteer
Student Career Experience Program
Other
Additional Comments Use This Space to Identify Special Qualifications, Interests, or Provide Other Information:
Contacts:
Additional information about this position can be obtained from:
Parks Ranger District
Casey Cheesbrough
Routt Zone Assistant Fire Management Officer
(970) 723-2728
ccheesbrough@fs.fed.us
and
Yampa Ranger District
Sam Duerksen
Routt Zone Fire Management Officer
(970) 638-4170
sduerksen@fs.fed.us
***Submission of this form is voluntary and not required for the application process
Thank You for your interest in our vacancy!
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