KEY REQUIREMENTS



• You must be a U.S. Citizen
• Positions may require a valid state drivers license
• Some positions may require a CDL; information will be provided at job offer
• All positions have medical qualification requirements
• You must be 18 years of age or older prior to appointment.
• These positions have no promotion potential.

A Hotshot Wildland Firefighter Trainee (Entry Level) (GS-02, Range/Forestry Aid),
receives training, performs simple tasks, and serves as a member of a Hotshot crew.  This may include suppression, prescribed fires, or wildland fire use for resource benefits.

A Hotshot Wildland Firefighter Trainee (GS-03, Range/Forestry Aid)
is a member of a hotshot fire crew; performs assignments as a firefighter in developing a working knowledge of fire suppression and fuels management techniques, practices, and terminology; may assist trained personnel in more specialized assignments such as backfire and burnout.

A Hotshot Wildland Firefighter (GS-04 Range/Forestry Technician)
is a skilled firefighter on a hotshot crew.  May be assigned to carry out specialized assignments such as tree falling, backfire, and burnout operations; utilizes a variety of specialized tools, equipment and techniques while actively managing wildfires.  May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.

A Hotshot Wildland Firefighter (GS-05 Range/Forestry Technician)
is a senior wildland firefighter on a hotshot crew.  Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents.  May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.

To qualify for a GS-02, you must meet at least one of the following:
- 3 months of general work experience, which can be any work experience; OR
- have graduated from high school or the equivalent

To qualify for a GS-03, you must meet at least one of the following:
- 6 months of general work experience, which can be any work experience; OR
- at least one year of education above the high school level, which included at least 6 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: range management; range conservation; agriculture; forestry; wildlife management; engineering; biology; mathematics; other natural or physical sciences; OR
- an equivalent combination of education and experience specified above.   

To qualify for a GS-04, you must meet at least one of the following AND the Selective Factor:
- 6 months of general work experience, which can be any work experience AND 6 months of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-3 level duties. Examples of specialized work experience include on-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention or suppression work as a trainee wildland firefighter. OR
- 2 years of education above the high school level which included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of the following courses:  forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine biology and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 3 semester hours of mathematics is creditable toward this requirement; OR
- an equivalent combination of the education and experience specified above.

SELECTIVE FACTOR for GS-04:
In addition to the basic qualifications listed above, you must have the following for the GS-04: 90 days of wildland fire experience. Wildland fire experience is defined as any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland.  Wildland firefighting experience is gained through work on the fire line in containment, control, suppression or use of wildland fire.  This experience can be met by serving in a temporary, seasonal or equivalent private sector fire position.  Periods of wildland firefighting experience gained through militia and rural fire departments can also be credited.

To qualify for a GS-05, you must meet at least one of the following AND the Selective Factor:
- 12 months of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-4 level duties. Examples include on-the-line wildland fire experience in forest/range fire control, prevention or suppression work as a skilled wildland firefighter, utilizing a variety of specialized wildland fire tools and equipment. OR
- successful completion of a 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with either
1.  a major study in forestry, range management or agriculture; or a subject matter field directly related to the position; OR
2.  at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine biology and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 6 semester hours of mathematics is creditable. The level of the course work must have been equivalent to at least the junior- and senior-year levels of a baccalaureate program; OR
- a combination of education and experience that is directly related to the work of this position.

SELECTIVE FACTOR for GS-05:
In addition to the basic qualifications listed above, you must have the following for the GS-05:

You must possess the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualification and training to be considered eligible for the GS-5 position.  

1.    Fire Fighter Type 1 (FFT1); And
2.    Successful completion of S-290 "Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior"

For more information regarding basic qualifications, general experience and combining education and experience click here.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/TESTING: You must pass an initial pre-employment physical examination and must be able to pass the work capacity fitness test (Must carry a 45 lb pack for 3 miles within 45 minutes). Failure to meet any of the required medical qualifications will disqualify you for employment.  Any condition, which would cause you to be a hazard to yourself or to others, will disqualify you for employment.

DRUG TESTING: BLM POSITIONS ARE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG TESTING. If selected for a random drug test, it must be completed prior to beginning work. The drug test will be provided at Government direction and expense. Once hired, employees are also subject to random drug testing during employment.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application will be evaluated by reviewing your on-line resume and your responses to the User Information, Core Questions, and Vacancy Questions, and if applicable your transcripts. ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS MUST BE SUPPORTED IN YOUR RESUME AND WILL BE VERIFIED. IF THEY ARE NOT SUPPORTED IN YOUR RESUME, YOU MAY BE RATED UNQUALIFIED.
To preview questions please click here.

Temporary employees in the Federal Service are eligible to earn annual and sick leave. Depending on the tour of duty, an employee may be paid Sunday, holiday, and shift differential and/or hazard pay.  You are also entitled to paid Federal Holidays.

OTHER INFORMATION:

SELECTIVE SERVICE:  Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.  To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System website.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS:  These positions are subject to a pre-employment background investigation.  If applicable, the appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the background investigation and favorable adjudication.  Failure to satisfy the background check will result in cancellation of offer of employment or may be grounds for termination.

For further information on Privacy Act, please refer to the "Legal and Regulatory Guidance" link at the bottom of the screen.

Applications must be received ON-LINE through USAJOBS.  On-line applications must be submitted prior to 12:00AM (Midnight) Eastern Standard Time of the closing  date/early consideration date of the announcement.

Step 1 - Register with USAJOBS (www.usajobs.gov) and Create a Resume. You must use the USAJOBS resume builder, DOI FIRES does not accept uploaded resumes.

Step 2 - Review the Vacancy Announcement
Review the announcement thoroughly.  These sections describe who is eligible to apply, what education and/or experience is required for the position, and which documents are needed for your application package. We suggest you preview the vacancy questions, located under the Qualifications and Evaluations tab. You may need to update your USAJOBS resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions.

Step 3 - Apply Online
Click the "Apply Online" link at the side of the page.  Select your USAJOBS resume to submit with your application and answer the vacancy questions.

Step 4 - Supporting Documentation
To submit required supporting documentation that applies to you, refer to the 'Required Documents' section below.

For detailed step-by-step instructions on how to apply click here.

After you have completed the online application process you may review your current application status at any time, and update your application during the open period of the announcement.  Click here for updating application instructions.

Failure to provide the required information may negatively affect your qualification determinations.

If applying online poses a hardship for you, or you do not have Internet access, contact the FIRES help desk 1-888-364-6432 for an application packet PRIOR to the closing date of the announcement.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

You MUST fax or upload Required Documents prior to the early consideration or close date.

College transcripts -
If you are qualifying using education above high school, you MUST submit your college transcripts.  
Veteran Preference Documentation -
If you are claiming Veteran Preference, you MUST submit evidence of eligibility.  DD-214 MUST show character of service.  Failure to submit a DD-214 which shows the character of service and other appropriate supporting documentation, if applicable, will result in NOT granting preference.
Note: If you are still on active duty, contact the FIRES Help Desk at the number listed in this announcement for acceptable alternative documentation.
- 5-point preference - DD-214 which shows character of service (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), or other documentation which proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
- 10-point preference - DD-214, SF-15, an official letter dated 1991 or later from the Department of Veteran's Affairs, or other appropriate source.
For further information on Veterans Preference, please refer to the "Veteran Information" link at the bottom of the screen.
Incident Qualification Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or equivalent documentation -
If you are applying for the GS-5, you must submit your IQCS Master Record or other equivalent documentation which verifies you meet the IFPM minimum qualification standards as stated in the qualification section of this announcement.  Failure to provide this documentation will result in you being rated as not qualified for the GS-5 position.

* You only need to fax or upload documents that apply to you.
* For faxing and uploading instructions please click here.

Failure to submit required documents, if applicable, may result in you not being considered, or not receiving the appropriate preference.  You will not be contacted for additional information.  If you have questions regarding what is considered appropriate supporting documentation, refer to the contact information provided in this announcement.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

If you are determined to be eligible and qualified; you may be referred to the locations you selected during the application process.  You can check your application status by logging into My Account, and selecting "Application Status", then select the "More Information" link below "Resume Received" in the "Application Status" column to view detailed information regarding your application status.  You will only be notified through e-mail when you are referred; no other notifications will be sent.

Additional Duty Location Info

FEW vacancy(s) - Jackson, MSView Map
FEW vacancy(s) - Carson City, NV
FEW vacancy(s) - Fairbanks, AKView Map
FEW vacancy(s) - Susanville, CA
FEW vacancy(s) - Craig, COView Map
FEW vacancy(s) - Pocatello, IDView Map
FEW vacancy(s) - Elko, NVView Map
FEW vacancy(s) - Vale, ORView Map
FEW vacancy(s) - Salt Lake City, UTView Map
FEW vacancy(s) - Bakersfield, CAView Map