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Buying Team Member $2500

Position Description

Introduction

This position may serve as part of a Buying Team, or as a single resource providing procurement support for fire suppression or all-risk assignments; e.g., hurricanes, floods, etc.

Duties

  • Changes default charge code (job code) in the Purchase Card System (PCMS) to an incident job code when dispatched to an incident.
  • Places orders and processes all related paperwork, including completing waybills and maintains logs in a timely manner and in accordance with regulations
  • Audits orders, waybills, and vendors’ invoices to assure that paperwork is complete, documented adequately, and copies are available for files.  Documents receipts with proper management/accounting code, resource order number, and signatures.  Files documents appropriately.
  • Confirms verbally placed purchase orders in writing and in a timely fashion.
  • Keeps the Buying Team Leader or Assistant/Deputy Leader or other identified supervisor informed of day-to-day actions, including resource order status and any problems.
  • Prepares necessary documentation for property, commissary purchases, and Emergency Equipment Rental Agreements.
  • Relays to dispatch and/or expanded dispatch or incident camp, whichever is applicable, the estimated time of departure (ETD) and estimated time of arrival (ETA) for shipments (e.g., for supplies, equipment from the Buying Team to the incident base).
  • Completes and files paperwork daily.  May be required to input costs into spreadsheet as necessary.
  • Reconciles accounts no later than 30 days after a transaction appears in PCMS, absent extenuating circumstances.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Knowledge of small purchase regulations in the Federal Acquisition Regulations, Department, and agency policy and regulations; knowledge of department and agency purchasing regulations, methods, procedures, and business practices to make purchases in accordance with governing regulations.
  • Requires completion of S-260, Interagency Business Management.
  • Must complete annually the incident micro purchase refresher course in order to obtain a purchase card.
  • Must be familiar with agency Incident Business Management Guidelines.

Supervisory   Controls

The supervisor or other designated authority assigns work with standing instructions and objectives, priorities, and deadlines, and indicates special considerations or unusual requirements.

The incumbent independently plans the manner in which assignments are to be carried out, and handles problems and deviations in accordance with instructions, policies, previous training, and accepted procurement practices.

Completed work is usually evaluated for appropriateness, technical soundness and conformity to policy and requirements.  Methods used by the incumbent are not usually reviewed in detail.

Guidelines

Guidelines include FAR Part 13, Small Purchases; FSAR Part 1, Complexity Requirements; and Exigency Requirements/Procedures.  These guidelines, coupled with written Department and agency policies, instructions, and operating procedures, cover the work to be done and the specific procedures required.

The incumbent uses judgment in selecting the most appropriate guidelines, references, and procedures relative to specific cases.  Situations to which existing guidelines cannot be applied or would require significant deviation from guidelines are referred to the supervisor.

Complexity

The work includes various duties involving different related processes and methods.  The incumbent makes a variety of non-competitive or competitive purchases.  The incumbent makes rapid choices, under pressure, such as whether to meet requirements by ordering against an existing contract, or entering into a new contract, etc.

Decisions as to what needs to be done involve various choices that require the incumbent to recognize the existence of and differences between various situations.

Actions to be taken differ in such things as the source of information, the kind of transactions, or other differences of a factual nature.

Scope and Effect

The work involves purchasing goods, services, and equipment by executing specific rules, regulations, and procedures to meet the objectives of the incident.

Work products affect the ability of incident managers and other personnel to accomplish the mission.

Personal Contacts

The majority of contacts are with incident personnel; however, some contacts are with individuals from outside the agency; e.g., with contractor representatives.

Purpose Of Contacts

The purpose of contacts is to obtain, clarify, or give facts or information concerning procurement actions.

Physical Demands

The work is primarily sedentary, but some physical exertion is occasionally required; e..g., some standing, walking, bending, sitting, traveling, and working extended hours.

Work Environment

The work is typically performed in an office type setting involving everyday risks or discomforts.

NWCG Latest Announcements

ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

Date: April 9, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
RMC Member Eric Fransted

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

References:

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

NWCG Position Catalog

Updated, NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412

Date: April 8, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee

PMS 412 provides guidance for wildland fire investigations. This guide outlines recommended procedures, practices, techniques, and methods to promote a systematic approach. The last update to this publication was in 2016.

References:

NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination PMS 412