ATTACHMENT TO IFPM GUIDANCE HR

Issuance Number 2006-01

SAMPLE WORDING FOR VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR IFPM COVERED POSITIONS

In an effort to ensure consistency throughout the National Park Service for IFPM-covered

positions during this transition period, this attachment containsrecommended language

for vacancy announcements. This attachment also specifies the suggested placement

within the vacancy announcement designed to present a more unified and consistent

appearance to applicants when they apply to these positions.

After October 1, 2009, all temporary employees (GS-5 and above) hired into IFPM

positions must meet IFPM qualification standards at time they are hired. In the

meantime, they are not required to sign a condition of employment. However, all OPM

qualification requirements must be met. Refer to Decision Paper #3, August 23, 2005,

for specific information, or click on:

http://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/documents/Decision_Paper_3_Final.pdf

1) Include under the “Overview” tab of the vacancy announcement:

“This position is being announced during the four-year transition period of this agency to

the approved Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Qualification Standard,

which covers 14 key firefighting-related occupations within the agency, including this

position. Full implementation of the new standard has been changed to allow a gradual

transition to the updated specific requirements, and is to be completed by

October 1, 2009.

Under this vacancy announcement, candidates are required to meet the OPM qualification

standards (as specified below in this announcement), and must also possess the required

selective factor as specified below. Additionally, as a condition of employment, prior to

entering this position the selectee will be required to sign an agreement which states

they will complete the full IFPM qualification standard requirements for this position by

October 1, 2009, including all training, coursework, and experience specified in the

standard.”

2) Include under the “Qualifications and Evaluation” tab of the vacancy

announcement:

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: “In addition to the selective factor listed

below, candidates must meet the following experience or education requirements by the

closing date of this announcement.”

[Include the OPM qualifications for the position. Then list the selective factor:].
“SELECTIVE FACTOR (MANDATORY):

Applicants must possess knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of

wildland firefighting, as demonstrated by wildland firefighting experience. Education

without hands-on wildland firefighting experience does not qualify you for this position.

In order to receive credit, candidates must provide a written description of their

experience in wildland firefighting, including the approximate dates performed, and the

location(s) where the work was performed. Please describe your duties and

responsibilitiesfor each period listed.”

3) Include the following grouped with other “conditions of employment” in the vacancy

announcement:

“CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment, prior to entering

this position, selectees must sign a statement acknowledging their agreement to complete

all required training and coursework as specified in the IFPM Qualification requirements

for this position by no later than October 1, 2009, to remain in this position. Employees

who do not successfully complete the full IFPM requirements by that date will be

removed from the position.”

Additional information to assist human resources specialists regarding IFPM guidelines is

located on the website at: http://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/ .