Wildland Firefighting Manager Branch Chief Equipment Development - Authority

This position will be filled at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), duty location Boise, , servicing USWFS. Incumbent serves as Branch Chief for Equipment Development providing national leadership, technical direction, and program direction for the development and safety of wildland fire equipment used in interagency fire management operations. For additional questions about this position, or duty location, please contact Dennis Strange at DStrange.

Direct national wildland fire equipment development programs, including fire engines, tenders, heavy equipment, command and support vehicles, IHC vehicles, helitack equipment, and specialized fire equipment, from concept through deployment. Provide technical and administrative direction to subordinate staff and supervisors and coordinate the integration of multiple concurrent national equipment development programs. Exercise expert engineering, safety, and risk-management authority over equipment designs, specifications, testing protocols, inspections, investigations, recalls, corrective actions, and post-deployment evaluations.

Direct research, development, and innovation initiatives involving vehicle design, materials, suppression systems, telematics, and mission-specific configurations, integrating validated technologies into standardized national equipment programs. Coordinate with interagency fire management organizations, Fleet and Equipment Management functions, technical committees, and working groups to ensure equipment interoperability and alignment with national standards. Develop and implement national policies, technical standards, specifications, and guidance for equipment design, testing, procurement, and modification while supporting Federal acquisition requirements.

Provide technical leadership for equipment development budgets, cost estimates, funding priorities, contracts, cooperative agreements, and interagency agreements supporting equipment research, development, and production. Evaluate national equipment program effectiveness through inspection data, operational feedback, safety analyses, and post-incident reviews and use findings to support strategic planning, senior leadership decisions, and continuous improvement.

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, and 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, as a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise…