National Firefighter Health Branch Chief

This position is located within the National Office Fire and Safety, Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) organization. The incumbent serves as the National Firefighter Health Branch Chief within the Risk Management Program with a focus on wildland firefighter health and wellness program coordination and leadership, working closely with the Department of the Interior's Wildland Fire Service in the implementation of programs. USDA Employees: Please refer to the Next Steps section.

Duties listed are at the full performance level GW-14. Plan and coordinate national firefighter studies and analysis of feedback and trends to determine the effectiveness in the implementation of federal health and wellbeing programs. Develop new ways to measure program accomplishments, results, and effectiveness. Responsible for the effective design and implementation of the Forest Service’s wildland firefighter medical program, encompassing pre-employment medical screening and Medical Qualifications.

Evaluate the expansion of firefighter health and wellness efforts across the federal agencies, and partner with non-federal entities for comprehensive approaches across the broader wildland fire system. Coordinate and evaluate firefighter health training with clinical experts and peers in training management programs to meet the needs of the federal wildland fire programs. Organize and supervise work groups and committees responsible for scoping, developing, revising and implementing programs or policies intended to improve the health and resilience of wildland firefighters.

Determine priorities for initiatives, programs or capabilities that would serve to increase wildland firefighter support before, during, and after critical incidents. Studies and analyzes the wildland firefighter behavioral health program and develops national policy to provide for consistency across the entire fire management program. Recommends the preferred course of action for adoption of new and evolving programs or capabilities to reduce trauma and increase resilience.

Provide consultation and advice on safety management systems; Agency doctrine, policy, principles; standards; and current and proposed legislation and regulation. Actively participates in high level conferences, negotiations and meetings concerning integration of the agency interest in behavioral health programs, which includes cancer prevention, physical wellness, medical surveillance, and suicide prevention.

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 General Schedule Qualification 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. 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. Specialized Experience Requirement: GW-13: Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-12 level. Examples of specialized experience may include: Provided subject matter expertise on technical matters related to firefighter health and wellness; Recommended initiatives or policy changes and obtained resources to improve human performance; Worked with clinical experts to develop and implement firefighter health efforts; and Reviewed and analyzed health and wellness programs or initiatives, designed and implemented quality assurance measures, and analyzed the effectiveness of programs.

GW-14: Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-13 level. Examples of specialized experience may include: Provided authoritative guidance and leadership to firefighter health and wellness programs impacting one or several major agency organizations; Provided expert advice and leadership to agency officials regarding human performance in meeting long-term agency goals and objectives in fire and aviation program management; Worked with or supervised clinical experts to inform firefighter health efforts; and Initiated projects, studies, and/or activities and formulated and executed new programs for the purpose of ensuring firefighter resilience and long term health.

Selective Placement Factors FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336 (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history.

Time In Grade Requirement

If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement. To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.