**Human Resources Bulletin: 11-08**

**Subject:   Recruitment for Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) positions**

**References:****IFPM Qualifications Standards and Guide**

**Effective Date:  December 22, 2010**

The purpose of this Human Resources Bulletin is to provide guidance on recruiting for the 13 key IFPM wildland fire positions.  Provided in this bulletin are attachments and links to recruitment checklists, reference documents and qualification forms that will assist in developing vacancy announcements and determining qualifications.  

The 13 key IFPM positions, which can be broken down into three categories, include:

· **First Line Supervisor**(Those who implement fire projects) 

1. Interagency Hotshot Crew Superintendent (IHCS) 

2. Helicopter Manager (HMGR) 

3. Senior Firefighter (SFF) 

4. Engine Module Supervisor (EMLS) 

5. Supervisor Engine Operator (SEOP) 

6. Initial Attack Dispatcher (IADP) 

· **Fire Project Specialist**(Those who plan fire projects) 

7. Wildland Fire Operations Specialist (WFOS) 

8. Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist (PFFS) 

9. Initial Attack Lead Dispatcher/Assistant Center Manager (ACMG) 

10. Center Manager (CMGR) 

· **Fire Program Manager**(Those who manage the overall fire program) 

11. Unit Fire Program Manager (UFPM) {within NPS this is an FMO}

12. Geographic Area Fire Program Manager (GFPM) {within NPS this is regional level}

13. National Fire Program Manager (NFPM) {within NPS this is NIFC-WASO}

**Recruitment Checklist**

When initiating a recruitment action for any wildland fire position, the Interagency Wildland Fire Hiring Official Recruitment Checklist (attachment 1) should be completed and signed by a supervisor and submitted with the recruitment package to the Servicing Human Resources Office (SHRO).  The form provides the SHRO with the correct and necessary information needed when recruiting for a wildland fire position.  It was developed for use by all DOI bureaus and can be used for all wildland fire positions both non-IFPM and IFPM.  See the IFPM website for an electronic version under “Documents” then “Fire Management Tools.”

**Standard Vacancy Announcement Language**

There is standard vacancy announcement language that must be used for all IFPM vacancy announcements within DOI (attachment 2).  Note: the previously used phrase “previous wildland firefighting experience as a mandatory requirement” has been omitted as standard IFPM verbiage on vacancy announcements.  See the “Human Resources” tab on the IFPM website. 

**Qualifications Checklist**

The IFPM website contains two HR Qualification Review Checklists which SHRO HR Specialists can use to record their qualifications determination documenting whether or not an applicant meets the requirements for the position. One checklist is designed for GS-0401 (attachment 3) and the other is designed for GS-462/455 wildland fire positions (attachment 4).  Both of these checklists can be found under the “Human Resources” tab, “General Guidance”, “HR Qualification Review Checklists” on the IFPM website.

As of October 1, 2010, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and required training, as defined by IFPM, must be used as selective factors (screen-outs) for IFPM positions and must be met prior to employment.  Written selective factor justifications exist for each of the 13 key positions, and are found in the IFPM Standard. As is the case for any selective factor, these justifications should be included for the record in the recruitment file. To view the IFPM Standard, visit the IFPM website , and click on “IFPM Standard”  then “Electronic version.” Chapter 2 contains individual position qualification standards for each complexity level, along with the selective factor justifications.

**Temporary Employees**

All temporary employees (GS-5 and above) hired into IFPM positions must meet IFPM qualification standards (selective factors) prior to entering the position.  If an employee held a GS-5 or above seasonal IFPM position during the 2010 season they must now meet the IFPM selective factors (prior to employment) to be rehired and/or hired into that position for the next season.

It should be noted that not all wildland fire work performed “fits” into one of the key positions.  Verify with the submitting supervisor whether or not the position (permanent or temporary) for which they’re recruiting is or is not an IFPM position. (IFPM does not apply below the GS-5 grade level for any fire position).  If a fire position is not one of the 13 key positions, then do not announce using IFPM guidance/selective factors verbiage.  Fire positions which are not IFPM, may have screen-outs but they would be driven by the position description and determined by the supervisor.  Selective factors used would have to be documented and justified for the recruit file.  

Some of the Non-IFPM positions found within the NPS include: 

Assistant Helicopter Manager

Assistant Hot Shot Superintendent

Regional Wildland Fire Positions - those which are “staff positions,” not “line” positions.

Wildland Fire Module positions, GS-401 and GS-462

GS-462/455 Forestry/Range Techs grades GS-4 and below

Please contact Melissa Anglin at 252-473-3468 or via e-mail at melissa_anglin@nps.gov with any questions or concerns.  Additional information, links and resources regarding IFPM can also be found on the IFPM website.  

Angela R. Hargrove

Chief, Office of Human Resources

Attachments:

Attachment 1- Interagency Wildland Fire Hiring Official Recruitment Checklist

Attachment 2- Standard vacancy announcement language for IFPM positions

Attachment 3- HR Qualification Review Checklist for GS-0401 wildland fire positions 

Attachment 4- HR Qualification Review Checklist for GS-462/455 wildland fire positions

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior