To meet the definition of secondary, the position must clearly be in the firefighting field, in an organization having a firefighting mission, and in a normal career path for a firefighter. This is a position for which prior experience in a primary/rigorous firefighting position or equivalent experience outside the federal government is a mandatory prerequisite. Therefore, the duties should clearly indicate the requirement for prior firefighting experience and must be clearly stated in the position description. The primary purpose of the job (indicate percentages) must be fire related.
Examples of PD language for secondary positions:
Add under Introduction
Prior wildland firefighting experience and training is required to carry out the duties and responsibilities of this position. (Note: It must be clear that the location of this position is in a firefighting organization.)
Add under Factor 1 - Knowledge Required by the Position
Prior on-the-line wildland firefighting experience is required to comprehend and apply fire management strategies, tactics, and fire prevention and mitigation procedures to fire management objectives and to determine the consequences of proposed actions.
Knowledge of and experience in fire suppression strategy, tactics, fire behavior, fuel models, fire weather, Incident Command System, firefighting tools and equipment to safely lead and execute fire line suppression operations. Previous on-the-line wildland firefighting experience is a requirement of this position.