Branch Chief Joint Fire Intelligence and Decision Support - Authority

Summary

This position will be filled at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, , servicing USWFS. Incumbent serves as Branch Chief for Joint Fire Intelligence and Decision Support (JFIDS), establishing, directing, and sustaining the centralized federal wildfire intelligence function supporting national, service area, and local operations. For additional questions about this position, please contact Division Chief Jason Fallon at .gov.

Lead the national wildfire intelligence program, serving as the strategic and operational hub for wildfire intelligence activities. Implement and oversee interagency governance, coordinating wildfire intelligence efforts among federal partners. Develop and maintain national standards for data, analytical products, interoperability, and service delivery. Manage program resources, including personnel, technology infrastructure, and interagency funding and support mechanisms. Lead the development of a unified national data and systems architecture for fire weather, fuels, fire behavior, fire danger, topography, and fire activity information.

Oversee the development of standardized analytical products, quality assurance processes, training materials, and operational procedures. Ensure interoperability among federal, state, tribal, and partner organizations and integrate scientific research and innovation into operational workflows. Lead strategic planning, long‑range forecasting, performance measurement, and program evaluation to support national wildfire priorities. Provide national‑level risk assessments, predictive analytics, decision‑support products, and expert advice to senior leadership on operational risks and emerging issues.

Coordinate and support wildfire intelligence services at national, regional, and local levels while facilitating collaboration among interagency partners and stakeholder groups.

IMPORTANT –

PLEASE NOTE:

There is no qualifying education for the 0456 series at this grade level.

U.S. citizenship required. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service or qualify for an exemption. Prior primary/rigorous wildland firefighting experience is required. Must successfully complete a background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Federal salary payments are made by direct deposit per Public Law 104‑134. Must be at least 18 years old by the announcement closing date. May be required to work on‑call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work.

Must complete required training and obtain/maintain a government travel and/or purchase charge card. This is a drug‑testing position. A negative pre‑employment drug test is required; the position is subject to random drug testing. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and operate a government vehicle as required. If new to the federal government, and this is your first appointment, you will be required to serve a one‑year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

Probation is extended until the agency affirms—in writing— that your appointment should continue. Upon completion of probation, employment will terminate unless certification is received in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Applicants will be evaluated based on how they meet the qualification requirements. Upon receipt of the completed application package, a review will ensure basic qualification requirements are met. This vacancy will be filled through a Direct Hire Authority. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to positions filled under this Authority. All qualified applicants, as determined by the SHRO, will be referred for consideration.

All documents beyond one resume page will not be accepted. Duplicate resumes will be reviewed as only the latest submission. If an applicant’s resume is incomplete or does not support the requirements for minimum qualifications or specialized experience, they may be classified as ineligible. Inflated qualifications may lead to no consideration.