VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NOTICE
Title, Series-Grade:
Announcement 15-FIRE-132000G-HJ Swan Lake
Ranger District Fire Management Officer, GS301-11
District/Unit: Flathead National Forest; Swan Lake Ranger
District
Date of Notice: July 17, 2015
The Flathead National Forest is advertising to fill a GS-301-11 District Fire Management Officer on the Swan
Lake Ranger District. The selected candidate may be non-competitively reassigned to another unit, within the
commuting area on the Flathead National Forest, at some point during this appointment. This notification is
being circulated to inform prospective applicants of this vacancy announcement.
FOREST SERVICE EMPLOYEES ON THE WORKFORCE REDUCTION AND PLACEMENT LIST WILL
RECEIVE PRIORITY CONSIDERATION AND CTAP/ICTAP CANDIDATES WILL RECEIVE THE
APPROPRIATE CONSIDERATION.
Tour of Duty:
Full-time
Part-time
Part-time Hours Per Pay Period
Minimum Pay
Periods full-time
POSITION
DUTIES:
The District/Zone Fire Management Officer coordinates complex operations with cooperating agencies
on incidents during all phases of the fire, fuels and aviation management planning on the district/zone.
Coordinates the development of short-range and long-range strategies for emergency incidents. Directs
safe initial attack and extended attack suppression actions. Reviews and evaluates fuels and fire
management plans and prescriptions to achieve ecosystem and resource management objectives. Serves
as a member of the district/zone Leadership Team, which is responsible for coordinating and
development of overall long-range planning. Participates in the development, utilization and integration
of district/zone resources to accomplish Forest targets. Develops and reviews fire prevention plans to
meet short/long term objectives. Coordinates and administers the district/zone fire and fuels
management program, annual and out-year budget, and program of work. May serve as COR and
prepare contract specifications. Coordinates program activities with federal, state, tribal, and local
government entities/agencies.
Performs the administrative and human resource management functions relative to the staff supervised.
Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff members, which are clearly
communicated through the formal employee performance management system. Develops work
improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary. Effects disciplinary measures as
appropriate to the authority delegated in this area. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests.
Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical capabilities and other
duties as assigned.
Duties listed are at the full performance level.
POSITION
LOCATION:
Flathead National Forest, Swan Lake District Office, Bigfork, MT.
OTHER:
Interested applicants should apply to the vacancy announcement on the USAJobs web site. Those desiring
further information, should contact the supervisor listed below:
Name of Supervisor:
D U E D A T E T O R E S P O N D:
Phone Number:
e-mail address:
Mailing address:
Rich Kehr
August 14, 2015
406-837-7501
rkehr@fs.fed.us
200 Ranger Station Road, Bigfork, MT
59911
LOCATION/STATS:
Flathead National Forest Information
The Forest: The Flathead includes 2,300,000 acres in
the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem. The
spectacular glacial mountains feature majestic peaks,
lush forests, snowfields, lakes, and alpine terrain.
Waters of the Forest flow from numerous mountain
streams into the Swan, Stillwater, and Three Forks of
the Flathead River downstream into Flathead Lake largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Worldclass wild lands include the Bob Marshall Wilderness
Complex, three nationally designated Wild & Scenic
Rivers, and the adjacent Glacier National Park. As
stewards of portions of both the BMWC and Northern
Continental Divide Ecosystem, the Forest has a
responsibility to provide educational opportunities to
help sustain this incredible landscape for future
generations.
Rivers and Lakes: Clear glacially fed streams offer a
mix of white-water and quiet water in rocky and
forested canyons with outstanding mountain views, and
provide habitat for native Bull Trout and Westslope
Cutthroat Trout. Although road access is nearby,
floaters on the river often have a sense of solitude.
Crystal clear mountain lakes have scenic backdrops
offering solitude and places of social interaction.
The Bob Marshall Wilderness: It is part of BMWC,
the largest contiguous wilderness in the lower 48 and
includes wild segments of Wild and Scenic Rivers.
This area is habitat for grizzly bear, wolves, and large
elk herds. Craggy peaks along the Continental Divide
and vastness make this a remote and challenging Wilderness. Turn of the century Forest Service heritage is
represented in the Wilderness Historic District.
Quiet Trails: Alpine lakes are nestled in steep, dense forest, with miles of hiking trails.
Backcountry: Less developed trails along North Fork, Swan Front, and Hungry Horse Reservoir offer
spectacular scenery & views, and a sense of remoteness.
Downhill Skiing: Whitefish Mountain and Blacktail Mountain ski areas are winter wonderlands offering
spectacular views of Glacier National Park.
Swan Mosaic: Grizzly bear travel corridors, link the bear populations in the Mission Mountains Wilderness and
Swan Ranges. Scenic vistas of these ranges are seen from the Swan Highway, a major travel corridor between
Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, and part of the Northern Continental Divide Scenic Loop.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
The Bigfork Chamber of Commerce describes Bigfork as follows:
“Located at an altitude of 2,900 feet in the spectacular mountains of northwestern Montana,
the town of Bigfork hugs a sparkling blue bay where the swift waters of the Swan River flow
into Flathead Lake. The town of Bigfork is a picturesque and charming place. World class art
galleries, fine restaurants, a 27-hole golf course, live theatre, and unique shops can all be
found within a quaint Western setting. Located near-by, Glacier National Park, the Bob
Marshall and the Mission Mountains Wilderness areas are full of wildlife, and offer endless
recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Chosen as "One of the 50 Great Towns of
the West" and designated as "One of the 100 Best Small Art Towns of the Nation," Bigfork
offers you and your family a part of the West that you will never forget.”
Bigfork is a community of about 1,500 located about a 20 mile drive south of Kalispell in the
Flathead Valley. Approximately 100,000 people live in the Flathead Valley area. More
detailed information about the area is listed below.
KALISPELL AND THE FLATHEAD VALLEY
EDUCATION:
Public Schools: Elementary - 32
High schools - 5
Private schools: elementary - 16
Flathead Valley Community College
DAY CARE: 9 day care centers.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: 2 hospitals and 8-nursing homes, and several retirement and assisted living
facilities.
CHURCHES: Many churches, both denominational and non-denominational.
COMMUNITY/AREA AMENITIES:
Public Libraries - 6
Bus Services
Health Clubs
Commercial Airlines - 4 (Delta, Allegiant, Horizon, United)
Amtrak (service to Whitefish)
Live Theater - 2 summer playhouses
Movie theaters/complexes - 4
State, County, City Parks, Sports Park
Art Galleries
Ski Areas (alpine) - 2
Museums - 8
Golf Courses - 12
Glacier National Park
Flathead Lake nearby (largest freshwater natural lake west of the Mississippi)
For more information visit www.kalispellchamber.com or call the Flathead Visitors/Convention Center at 1800-543-3105.
For information regarding Region One’s Civil Rights program, please click on the following link: Region One Civil Rights.