# Presentation: 617688

## SAMETIME MEETINGS

**NATIONAL PARK SERVICE**
**KRISTY VALENTINE**
**SANDRA BRASETH**
**CHRISTINE PETERS**
**MICHELLE ANDERSON**

**DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR**
**CASUAL PAYMENT CENTER**

## HISTORY

-  Redesign of the EFF/Vendor Pay System – New system developed and online January 1, 2005
-  January 1, 2005 – BLM, BIA, FWS entered into an MOU and the Casual Payment Center (CPC) began processing payments nationally for all casuals within the three agencies
-  January 1, 2008 – CPC became the DOI Casual Payment Center (with addition of NPS)
-  Benefits

**HISTORY**

**Notes:**
Hallie’s part

## OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

- 	Consists of National Points of Contact from:
- BIA -- Bureau of Indian Affairs
- BLM -- Bureau of Land Management
- FWS -- Fish and Wildlife Service
- NPS  -- National Park Service

**Notes:**
Hallie,
Bureau Of Indian Affairs Rep – Nancy Hunt- start date 02/04
Bureau of Land Management Rep – Hallie Locklear
Fish and Wildlife Service Rep – Amy Kishpaugh
National Park Service – Christine Peters
The Oversight Committee meets quarterly to discuss the payment process, what works, what doesn’t and implements changes to improve the process.
Approving Official List –Agency need to contact NPOC – NPOC responsibility to submit additions/changes to CPC – current contact info needed Phone/fax also

## MISSION STATEMENT

**The principal mission of the DOI Casual Payment Center (CPC) is the delivery of excellent customer service in the cost effective and prompt processing of payment of casual hires for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Park Service (NPS)**
**Left to right front row: Nancy, Jen, Chris**
**Left to right back row: Juana (Government Lead), Autumn, Brandon, Amber, Tina, Julie, Clarissa**

## DOI CASUAL PAYMENT CENTER MANAGEMENT STAFF

**Notes:**
There may be times when you feel something needs to be addressed immediately.  Call one of us and we can research a situation and report back to you.
Not within the 3-5 day turnaround

## ISSUES

- 	Examples of high volume issues:
- 	Direct Deposit (missing SSN)
- 	Cost code structure
- 	Position Codes & Rates
- 	Social Security Number
- 	Address
- 	(Errors in address affect final destination of payment)

- OF-288’s that come to the payment center without required information needed to process payment becomes what we call an “Issue.”              Payment is held until the Issue is resolved.

**Notes:**
Most common issues that we see come to the CPC is mistakes with the cost codes, position codes, address differences, missing SSN on the DD form. ( most current DD form the payment center receives is on the NWCG website)  Payment will be held until issue is resolved.
Cost code structure will be discussed a little later in the presentation. PC and Rates – assure that the position title and AD rate are within the pay plan. If the casual is a trainee than you would you use the appropriate code and the rate as well. Position Codes – Must include Title and AD Rate ( FFT2, FFT2T)
SSN - Multiple people with same name (Jr, Sr, I, II, III, etc).  Agency personnel are in a better position to know siblings, etc. so we rely on you for information. 

## OF-288 Address

- Physical vs Check Mail Address
- Treasury Checks
- Casual must be registered as owner/resident of the mailing address or PO Box
- Friend, Mother/Father, Grandmother/father, etc.
- Physical address must have mail delivery
- Emergency Contact Person notification address

**Notes:**
We compare addresses on OF-288 and what is in current in system, becomes issue if check mailing addresses do not match. 
This is to prevent a possible lost check – approximately a 2 month turnaround time if check is returned to treasury – DD aprox. 2 – 3 week turnaround unless money owed to bank
If casual has a DD in system we go ahead and process payment
PO Box – casual’s name has to be listed on box should not be grandmothers, friend, father etc. – checks will be rejected at PO and will be returned.
Small town – distribution centers – if name is not on their list – checks may be returned before it reaches the local PO

Note:  Contracting company up from Post Office – if name is not on their list, TC’s may be returned before ever reaching the local Post Office. (small rural towns)

## OF-288 Form

**Social Security Number:**
- Ensure this is entered correctly
- in *Block 1 *and legible. (Must match I-9 and W-4 forms)

**Hired At:**
- Ensure this is entered in *Block 2 *with Unit Identifier (example is BIA)

**Type of Employment:**
- Ensure this is marked in *Block 3 *as “Casual” and not any of the other choices

**Position Title & Rate:**
- Ensure to list AD Position Code, AD Class and AD Rate per AD Pay Plan in *Blocks 4,5 & 6.*
*Column C example for THSP positions (See **Block 11**)*

**Home/Hiring Unit Cost Accounting Code: **
- Ensure organization, appropriate
- sub-activity and
- project numbers are accurate and
- Complete

**Incident Name and Fire Code:**
- Ensure Fire name, *Block 1 *and fire code *Block 3 match *
- (per Fire Code System)
*Example Column A*

**Time Posting Columns:**
- Post hours in
- military time
- Post time in 15
- minute increments                                      with a 2 hour
- minimum
- If shift passes through midnight from one day to the next, be sure to show ending time at 2400 and starting time on next day at 0001.
*Example column A*

**Signature:**
- Ensure the _**original **_Time Officer signature is complete in  *Block 17 *and date *Block 18*

**IMPORTANT—  ENSURE ALL FIELDS ARE CORRECT AND LEGIBLE TO AVOID DELAY OF PAYMENT**

- 123-45-6789

- MT-FBA

**X**

- Skate

- CN3R

- FFT2

- AD-A

- 13.24

- A15433 07 92310 C7FG

** ****06 **

**04**

**1000**

**1200**

**2**

**06**

**05**

**1200**

**2400**

**12**

**20**

**Commissary:**
- Corresponds to date of transaction

- 06/04/07

- Boots

- $350

**06**

**06**

**0001**

**0700**

**6**

- Lead Instructor S-300

- *THSP

- AD-H

- 24.00

- Eureka Palm

- AZY2

- *THSP Exception

- AD-K

- 28.74

- 41570 9141 CH8X

- Use this section for clarification of positions etc.
- Ex.: Column C– camp crew member
-        Column B—*THSP Lead Instructor S-300 and below
-        Column C—* THSP Exception Position 5 AD-K

- Either signed or unavailable for signature

**This section for use by the Casual Payment Center. **

**Casual Information:**
- Ensure name, mailing
- address, city, state, and zip are legible.
*Blocks 4,6,8, 9 & 10*
*(Does not change the *
*casual’s permanent *
*record profile at the *
*CPC). *

**2007**

**2007**

**2007**

**260.00**

- 350

**Sample  OF-288 for BIA **

- Joe James Firefighter

- 123 Somewhere St

- Somewhere There

- ID

- 12345

- Fort Belknap

- 406-123-4569

- 406-123-4570

- Thelma Jane Firefighter

- 406-456-7896

- 123 Somewhere St, Somewhere There, ID 12345

**Social Security Number:**
- Ensure this is entered correctly
- in *Block 1 *and legible. (Must match I-9 and W-4 forms)

**Hired At:**
- Ensure this is entered in *Block 2 *with Unit Identifier (example is BIA)

**Type of Employment:**
- Ensure this is marked in *Block 3 *as “Casual” and not any of the other choices

**Position Title & Rate:**
- Ensure to list AD Position Code, AD Class and AD Rate per AD Pay Plan in *Blocks 4,5 & 6.*
*Column C example for THSP positions (See **Block 11**)*

**Home/Hiring Unit Cost Accounting Code: **
- Ensure organization, appropriate
- sub-activity and
- project numbers are accurate and
- Complete

**Incident Name and Fire Code:**
- Ensure Fire name, *Block 1 *and fire code *Block 3 match *
- (per Fire Code System)
*Example Column A*

**Time Posting Columns:**
- Post hours in
- military time
- Post time in 15
- minute increments                                      with a 2 hour
- minimum
- If shift passes through midnight from one day to the next, be sure to show ending time at 2400 and starting time on next day at 0001.
*Example column A*

**Signature:**
- Ensure the _**original **_Time Officer signature is complete in  *Block 17 *and date *Block 18*

**IMPORTANT—  ENSURE ALL FIELDS ARE CORRECT AND LEGIBLE TO AVOID DELAY OF PAYMENT**

- 123-45-6789

- MT-FBA

**X**

- Skate

- CN3R

- FFT2

- AD-A

- 13.24

- A15433 07 92310 C7FG

** ****06 **

**04**

**1000**

**1200**

**2**

**06**

**05**

**1200**

**2400**

**12**

**20**

**Commissary:**
- Corresponds to date of transaction

- 06/04/07

- Boots

- $350

**06**

**06**

**0001**

**0700**

**6**

- Lead Instructor S-300

- *THSP

- AD-H

- 24.00

- Eureka Palm

- AZY2

- *THSP Exception

- AD-K

- 28.74

- 41570 9141 CH8X

- Use this section for clarification of positions etc.
- Ex.: Column C– camp crew member
-        Column B—*THSP Lead Instructor S-300 and below
-        Column C—* THSP Exception Position 5 AD-K

- Either signed or unavailable for signature

**This section for use by the Casual Payment Center. **

**Casual Information:**
- Ensure name, mailing
- address, city, state, and zip are legible.
*Blocks 4,6,8, 9 & 10*
*(Does not change the *
*casual’s permanent *
*record profile at the *
*CPC). *

**2007**

**2007**

**2007**

**260.00**

- 350

**Sample  OF-288 for BIA **

- Joe James Firefighter

- 123 Somewhere St

- Somewhere There

- ID

- 12345

- Fort Belknap

- 406-123-4569

- 406-123-4570

- Thelma Jane Firefighter

- 406-456-7896

- 123 Somewhere St, Somewhere There, ID 12345

**Social Security Number:**
- Ensure this is entered correctly
- in *Block 1 *and legible. (Must match I-9 and W-4 forms)

**Hired At:**
- Ensure this is entered in *Block 2 *with Unit Identifier (example is BIA)

**Type of Employment:**
- Ensure this is marked in *Block 3 *as “Casual” and not any of the other choices

**Position Title & Rate:**
- Ensure to list AD Position Code, AD Class and AD Rate per AD Pay Plan in *Blocks 4,5 & 6.*
*Column C example for THSP positions (See **Block 11**)*

**Home/Hiring Unit Cost Accounting Code: **
- Ensure organization, appropriate
- sub-activity and
- project numbers are accurate and
- Complete

**Incident Name and Fire Code:**
- Ensure Fire name, *Block 1 *and fire code *Block 3 match *
- (per Fire Code System)
*Example Column A*

**Time Posting Columns:**
- Post hours in
- military time
- Post time in 15
- minute increments                                      with a 2 hour
- minimum
- If shift passes through midnight from one day to the next, be sure to show ending time at 2400 and starting time on next day at 0001.
*Example column A*

**Signature:**
- Ensure the _**original **_Time Officer signature is complete in  *Block 17 *and date *Block 18*

**IMPORTANT—  ENSURE ALL FIELDS ARE CORRECT AND LEGIBLE TO AVOID DELAY OF PAYMENT**

- 123-45-6789

- MT-FBA

**X**

- Skate

- CN3R

- FFT2

- AD-A

- 13.24

- A15433 07 92310 C7FG

** ****06 **

**04**

**1000**

**1200**

**2**

**06**

**05**

**1200**

**2400**

**12**

**20**

**Commissary:**
- Corresponds to date of transaction

- 06/04/07

- Boots

- $350

**06**

**06**

**0001**

**0700**

**6**

- Lead Instructor S-300

- *THSP

- AD-H

- 24.00

- Eureka Palm

- AZY2

- *THSP Exception

- AD-K

- 28.74

- 41570 9141 CH8X

- Use this section for clarification of positions etc.
- Ex.: Column C– camp crew member
-        Column B—*THSP Lead Instructor S-300 and below
-        Column C—* THSP Exception Position 5 AD-K

- Either signed or unavailable for signature

**This section for use by the Casual Payment Center. **

**Casual Information:**
- Ensure name, mailing
- address, city, state, and zip are legible.
*Blocks 4,6,8, 9 & 10*
*(Does not change the *
*casual’s permanent *
*record profile at the *
*CPC). *

**2007**

**2007**

**2007**

**260.00**

- 350

**Sample  OF-288 for BIA **

- Joe James Firefighter

- 123 Somewhere St

- Somewhere There

- ID

- 12345

- Fort Belknap

- 406-123-4569

- 406-123-4570

- Thelma Jane Firefighter

- 406-456-7896

- 123 Somewhere St, Somewhere There, ID 12345

**OF-288 Form**
**Top Portion**

**Example NPS**

**Notes:**
Please ensure the correct SSN is entered in block 1 – we’ve had situations where father has been paid for son’s work, twin sister has been paid for twin sister’s work, etc.
Although we compare the address on the OF-288 to the address on the casual’s profile, we are unable to change the permanent address information with just the OF-288.  A W-4, Address Change Form or other authorized means of updating the profile needs to be submitted. 

## Critical fields to review prior to submission

**To the Casual Payment Center**
**(Fire Column Header Portion of OF-288 Form)**

- Block 1. Incident name 		Block 5. AD Class
- Block 3. Fire Code			Block 6. AD Rate
- Block 4. Position Code		Block 7. Home/Hiring Unit Accounting Code

**Notes:**
Examples of proper completion: (assure PC and rate is within the pay plan)
COL A – Basic Firefighter
COL B – Instructor
S-300 Instructor tells us the course level and what position the casual held in order to code the hours properly as an Instructor
FireCode is missing, but is in the cost code section -- OK
COL C – Example for Prescribed fire RX
FireCode is the Hiring Location – Normally not OK, but is in the cost code section -- OK
COL D – THSP – Laborer (or at bottom in Block 11. Remarks)
Need to specify the position description as there are numerous THSP positions.

## Examples are approved codes submitted to the payment center

| E11 | Training                              |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| E11,E12,F13 | Suppression                   |  |
| E13 | Emergency Stabilization |  |
| E14 | Severity |  |
| W11,W12,W13 | Hazardous Fuels—WUI |  |
| W11,W12,W13,W14,W15 | Prescribed Burns                               |  |

**	****EXAMPLE ACCOUNTING STRINGS AS SEEN ON OF-288**

| 1249-E11-AZA1 | TRAINING  |
| --- | --- |
| 1573-E11-DV1B | SUPPRESSION  |
| 7128-E14-DQ5N | BAER STABILIZATION |
| 1249-E14-C7KR | SEVERITY |
| 5023-W12-0702 | PRESCRIBED BURNS                       |
| 5472-W11-C9YC | HAZARDOUS FUELS-WUI |

**Notes:**
Approved codes as submitted by Christine Peters to our office. Any codes submitted that are not listed will be made an issue and will need approval from Christine to continue to process payment. 

## Fire Code Common Mistakes

- 	**Ensure the fire code is a legible, legal fire code and is in the ****	****Federal Finance System. **

- Most common mistakes:
- #0 for the letter O
- #1 for the letter L
- #2 for the letter Z
- #6 for the letter G
- #5 for the letter S
- #7 for the number 1
- #8 for the letter B

## For time past midnight. i.e., 2430. enter up to 2400 for the current day and enter 0030 on the next day (see example below)

- Enter time in military hours (1850 is incorrect, 1830 correct for 1⁄2 hour)
- Ensure time is entered with minimum 2 hours, (as specified in the AD Pay Plan) (note: Guarantee is written in)
- (Top bottom portion of OF-288 form)

**Notes:**
Example of overlapping hours to demonstrate the DUP hours situations in Column A lines 5 and 6.
Enter military time only (15 minute increments) 

## Forms to be Completed

- I-9
- W-4
- Incident Behavior
- Single Resource Casual Hire Information
- OF-288
- Batch Memo
- Direct Deposit
- W-5
- State tax forms
- _[http://www.nwcg.gov/teams/ibpwt/forms/index.htm](http://www.nwcg.gov/teams/ibpwt/forms/index.htm)_

## Casual’s File

- Forms that will be retained in the Casual’s file at the CPC:
-  Federal and State Tax forms (W-4, State Tax and Tribal Exemption forms, any documentation pertaining to a OF-288), Direct Deposit, Address Change forms, etc.
-  Forms not required for payment at the CPC will be returned to the home unit if the form is original. Copies will be shredded.

**Notes:**
Forms that the payment center sends back 
I-9’s
Crew Time reports
Incident Behavior forms
Single Resource Casual Hire Forms

## Approving Official ListandBatch Memo

- You must be on the Approving Official list for the pay center to process your submittals.
- Contact Christine Peters to have your contact information added or to add others.
- A Batch Memo must be submitted each time you submit a group of documents.

## Bottom Portion of OF-288  Form

- Enter date, item and amount for each commissary item
- Indicate if casual “unavailable for signature”
- Ensure block 17 has **original** Time Officer Signature. OF-288 will not be processed without original signature.
- Use box 11, Remarks, for clarification on the OF-288.
- See following frames for examples of THSP Position Codes.

**Bottom Portion of OF-288  Form**

## Position Titles

- THSP – Camp Crew Squad Boss			AD-C
- THSP – Lead Instructor (S300 and Below)  		AD-I
- THSP – Instructor (S300 and Below)  		AD-H
- THSP – Lead Instructor (S400 and Above)  		AD-K
- THSP – Instructor (S400 and Above)  		AD-J
- Course code should be included to validate the instructor level

**Notes:**
Please indicate on the OF-288 the level of instruction and rate for instructor positions 

## EXCEPTION POSITIONS

- THSP – Exception Position 4  			AD-I
- THSP – Exception Position 4 Trainee		AD-H
- Exception positions were created for those positions **NOT LISTED** in the Incident Positions Matrix
- A brief description of duties must be provided as documentation to support the Exception level

**Notes:**
Use only if position is NOT Listed in Matrix.

## CPC Policies

- How can the agencies get a copy of the
- CPC policies?
- NPOC	(Christine Peters)
- NWCG Website
- http://www.nwcg.gov/teams/ibpwt/documents/personnel/casual.html

**Notes:**
The CPC procedures are distributed through Christine, this website listed here or by fax from the CPC.

## Process Time

- Payment Center Goal:
- CPC Process:
- 3 – 5 business days from date of receipt
- CPC Payroll File Transmission:
- 1300-1330 MST daily -- To Treasury for payment
- Unable to access FPPS during this time

## Hours of Operation

**	****	****Off season hours:  ****	****0730 MST – 1600 MST**
**	****	****Pre-season:****	****	****0730 MST – 1800 MST**
**	****	**
**	****	****Peak season hours:**
**	****	****Monday – Friday ****	****	****0700 MST – 2030 MST**
**Saturday (As needed)****	****	****0730 MST – 1600 MST**
**Sunday and/or holidays  ****	****As needed**

**Notes:**
To ensure OF-288s are processed within 3 to 5 business days, the CPC will extend business hours and/or the number of workers to accommodate the workload.  
For Saturday delivery, please call to confirm the CPC will be open (depends on workload).

##   Expectations

- Provide excellent customer service
- Meet or exceed the processing guidelines
- Phone call away

## DEPARTMENT OF INTERIORCASUAL PAYMENT CENTER

- 1249 S Vinnell Way, Suite 108
- Boise, ID 83709
- Phone: (208) 947-3790
- Fax: (208) 947-3799
- Email:  casual_pay@blm.gov

**Toll Free Number: (877) 471-2262**

**Notes:**
Correspondence address and contact phone numbers. Please take notes. If you happen to have a question we will answer as many as time will allow, at the end of this session. 

## 2008 AD Pay Plan

- The AD Pay Plan applies wherever and whenever
- it becomes necessary to hire persons:
- to cope with a sudden and unexpected emergency caused by a fire, or extreme fire potential, flood, storm, or any other emergency that threatens damage to federally protected property unless brought under immediate control;
- to provide emergency assistance to states under formalized agreements;

## 2008 AD Pay Plan (cont.)

- to meet mission assignments issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); or
- to supplement regular personnel assigned to prescribed fire projects* *(this authority does not include mechanical or chemical hazardous fuels reduction projects).

## 2008 AD Pay Plan (cont.)

- The AD Pay Plan is complete within itself; therefore, for any hiring under this plan, the provisions herein take precedence over any other policies or regulations that may be prescribed elsewhere.  _The AD Pay Plan may not be used to circumvent other hiring authorities nor used to fill vacant government positions._  All offices hiring under this authority are reminded to adhere to the provisions of this Pay Plan.  NPS units are responsible for designating the appropriate official for hiring purposes.

## Criteria For Using the Authority

- The following criteria represent additional guidance for consideration when preparing to hire under the AD authority:
- The period of hire is short term in nature.
- Specialized skills are required to meet the nature of the emergency that is not traditionally available within park staff.
- Extraordinary circumstances exist at the time of the emergency that results in the unavailability of park personnel to provide a timely response.

## Criteria For Using the Authority (cont.)

- Seasonal employees who are not in pay status may be hired as casuals whenever it becomes necessary to hire individuals as outlined in the AD Pay Plan.  However, hiring a casual can never be used to extend a time-limited appointment (e.g., a 1039 appointment).
- Units may hire only those individuals within their “local area of responsibility” who are qualified for the position and certified to assist in fire suppression operations and/or other emergencies that threaten damage to federally protected property.

## Criteria For Using the Authority (cont.)

- Employees hired as casuals under the DOI AD Pay Plan using the position matrix are only assigned to duties that are commensurate with their competencies qualifications and are performing the work specifically for that job code, i.e., if hired as a FFT2, then a casual employee should be fighting fire, not driving an ambulance or being assigned to an MVA.
- Those hired outside the AD Pay Plan authority will not be paid through the Casual Payment Center and timesheets will be returned to the hiring unit.  If the AD Pay Plan hiring authority was not the proper mechanism for hire, other means, such as “de facto” employment, will need to be explored through the hiring unit’s Human Resources Office.

## Misc.

_**Minimum Compensable Time Allowance**_
- The minimum compensable time allowance for each work period is two hours.  The two-hour rule applies to local hires only.  A casual, working away from their point of hire, is guaranteed eight hours.
_**Search & Rescue Incidents (SARs)**_
- In 2005, NWCG classified six search and rescue (SAR) positions identified by WASO which are included in the AD Pay Plan position matrix.  Casuals hired to assist with a SAR will either need to be qualified to work in one of the six SAR positions identified on the matrix, or be hired in an Exception Position, see below.  Provide position title on OF-288, block 23.

## Training

_**Hiring Casuals to Attend Emergency Incident Training**_
- Units may hire casuals to attend training in preparation for emergency incidents (e.g., Incident Command System (ICS) courses and refresher training).  Compensation will be made for any courses required by the hiring unit.  Training hours, including travel to and from, should _**not to exceed a total of 80 hours per calendar year**_, regardless of hiring agency.  This authority cannot be used to circumvent other hiring authorities such as temporary 1039 appointments or career seasonal appointments for training purposes.  _**It is the hiring unit’s responsibility to monitor training hours.**_
**Allowable operational costs are limited to:**
- casual wages for attending emergency incident training;
- training materials, transportation of casual employees and per diem.
- NPS units will use their region-specific org code in association with the AZA1 code to pay for a casual’s training (i.e., XXXX-AZA1-E11).

## Instructing

- Units may hire casuals to instruct emergency incident training only when all other methods of hiring and contracting instructors have been exhausted.
- Length of employment is _**not to exceed a total of 120 hours including travel per calendar year**_, regardless of hiring agency.  It is the hiring unit’s responsibility to monitor instructor hours to ensure this limitation is not exceeded.
- Salary, travel and per diem may be charged to the AZA1 code when a casual is hired to conduct emergency incident training.

## Emergency Stabilization

- 	The "emergency" phase occurs during the incident, and for a period of time directly after the incident.  During this time, it would be appropriate to hire casual personnel until regular government employees are able to handle the situation and/or other employment methods can be initiated.
- If there is a break in activities (e.g., the fire is contained in August and additional stabilization is needed in December), units may not utilize the AD Pay Plan.  Efforts should be made to contract or detail regular government employees to accomplish the work.
- Casuals may be hired using the Pay Plan, _**not to exceed 90 calendar days, directly following a natural emergency.**_

## Hiring for Support

- Units may hire casuals to provide support to an ongoing incident including dispatch, warehouse/cache workers, payment team members, and administrative support.
- Directly following an incident, the local unit may hire casuals to provide support for post-incident administration not to exceed 90 calendar days.

## Prescribed Fire Projects

- Provide temporary support due to the unpredictable nature of prescribed fire activities.
- This does not include Mechanical or Chemical Hazardous Fuels Reduction Projects.
- The hire may not begin until 24 hours before planned ignition and must be completed 24 hours after the perimeter is secured.
- Work on prescribed fires is limited to 300 hours per calendar year per person, regardless of agency.  It is the hiring unit’s responsibility to monitor prescribed fire hours.
- This authority may not be used to circumvent normal hiring and contracting procedures.

## QUESTIONS???