Evaluating Applican

Interagency Fire Pro

Management Posit

A Job Aid for HR Staf

• Prepared by the Fire Program Management Q

(FPQS) Sub-Committee, of the National WildfGroup, Operations and Workforce Developm
IFPM Minimum Qualif

3⁄4 The IFPM Standard defines minimum qualificati

management positions. They are:

1. OPM Minimum Qualification Requirement

(for GS‐401– Refer to DOI PB 07‐13, Dec 4, 

Attachment, “Policy Interpretation of the 

Qualification Standard for the GS‐401 Fire 

Specialist ” positions. (Informally known a

Standard”)

2. Specialized Experience {for GS‐0401 Fire M

Specialist positions} refer to the Suppleme

PB 07‐13, Dec 4, 2007).

3. NWCG Incident Management Qualification4. Required Training (if applicable to position

3⁄4 IFPM Qualifications Standards can be found o

www.ifpm.nifc.gov/
Determination of IFPM Min

Qualifications for Vacancy Ann

Effective October 1, 2010:9 Applicants for IFPM positions (both temporary an

must meet the minimum qualifications at the tim

9 Supervisor (hiring official) completes and submits 

Wildland Fire Hiring Official Recruitment Checklis

o Checklist can be found at www.ifpm.nifc.gov/hr/hr.htm

9 HR and supervisor determine if the position is IFP

(i.e., SFF, WFOS, CMGR) and the IFPM qualificatio

position.
Example of Minimum Qualifica

Unit Fire Program Manager ­ Modera

NWCG Incident M

(Currenc

Primary 

Task Fo

Secondar

Incident Commander 

Bu

Specialized Experience Requirements:Applicants must have a minimum of one year ofcreditable specialized wildland fire managementexperience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

Refer to the DOI Personnel Bulletin 07‐13, Dec 4, 2007,

Qualification requirements for GS‐401 Fire Program

Management, depending on grade level of position.

Additio

M‐581, F

OPM Standard Requirements:

Successful completion of a full 4‐year course of

study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural

resource management, or a related disciplineappropriate to the position being filled (see

qualifying coursework page 1 of the DOI Policy

Interpretation of the Qual Standard for GS‐401 Fire

Mgt Spec); OR a combination of education and

experience.
HR Evaluation of App

3⁄4Use the appropriate “HR Qualifica

Checklist for IFPM” which can be 

IFPM Website at www.ifpm.nifc.gov

9HR Qualification Review Checklist – GS‐045

9HR Qualification Review Checklist – GS‐040
Evaluating the Ap

9 In the following example, the 

position of a GS-401, Unit FirManager - Moderate Compleevaluated by using the “HR Qualifications Review CheckIFPM GS-401 Fire ManagemeSpecialist positions.”
GS‐401, Unit Fire Program M

Moderate Complexity Ex

3⁄4 Evaluating GS‐0401 Fire Management 

Basic Qualification Determination

3⁄4 The “Basic Qualification Determination” sectio

Qualification Review Checklist has two section

9 The first should be used if the employee ha

biological sciences, agriculture, natural resmanagement, or a related discipline.

9 Use the second section if qualifying applica

combination of education and experience.
Unit Fire Program Man

Moderate Complexity E

3⁄4 Evaluating GS‐0401 Fire Management 

Specialized Experience Determination

9 Does the employee have one year of specia

equivalent to the next lower grade of the p

as defined in Supplemental Qualifications S

Fire Management Specialist Positions (DO

3⁄4 NOTE: Applicant must minimally have 

of education & experience which total fothat experience is used to meet the basic requirement, it CANNOT ALSO be credit

specialized experience requirement.
Unit Fire Program Ma

Moderate Complexity E

3⁄4 Evaluating NWCG Incident Management 

9 The Incident Qualification & Certification System (IQCS) 

for NWCG Incident Management Qualifications, training 

o The Incident Qualification & Certification Sys

Responder Master Record is used to determ

meets the NWCG Incident Management Qua

requirements for the IFPM position. Other e

documentation includes:

9 IQS Master Record

9 Qualification Card

9 Certified task book

9 Certificates of completion (for additional required 

o HR may wish to consult with a fire managem

expert (SME) on questions related to inciden

qualifications as required by IFPM.
Unit Fire Program Man

Moderate Complexity E

3⁄4 Evaluating NWCG Incident Managemen

Continuing the example for a GS‐401, Unit 

Manager – Moderate Complexity the NWC

Management Qualification requirements a

Primary Core Requiremen

Task Force Leader (TFLD

AND

Secondary Core Requireme

Incident Commander, Type 3 

OR

Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, Type 

NOTE: Applicants meet the identified NWCG qualifichigher level qualification – see Incident Management Job Aid at http://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/hr/hr.htm
Unit Fire Program Man

Moderate Complexity E

3⁄4 Reviewing the IQCS Master Record for 

Qualifications & Additional Required T

o The following sections can be used to deter

has the required NWCG qualifications

9 Employee Qualified Jobs

9 Employee Unqualified Jobs

9 Employee Trainee Jobs

9 IFPM Applicant Report

NOTE: DO NOT automatically disqualify an appl

NWCG qualification appears in the “Employee U

o The following sections need to be reviewed 

applicant has the desired additional training

9 Employee Training History
Unit Fire Program Man

Moderate Complexity E

3⁄4 Evaluating NWCG Incident Manageme

3⁄4 Employee Qualified Jobs list
Unit Fire Program Man

Moderate Complexity E

3⁄4 Evaluating NWCG Incident Manageme

3⁄4 Employee Unqualified Jobs list
Unit Fire Program Man

Moderate Complexity E

3⁄4 Evaluating NWCG Incident Manageme

3⁄4 Employee Trainee Jobs list
Unit Fire Program Man

Moderate Complexity E

3⁄4 Evaluating NWCG Incident Manageme

3⁄4 IFPM Applicant Report
Unit Fire Program Man

Moderate Complexity E

3⁄4 Evaluating NWCG Incident Manageme

If you have questions please consult your fire 

representative.
Unit Fire Program Man

Moderate Complexity E

3⁄4 Evaluating Additional Required Trainin

9 The “Employee Training History” section of 

Record can be used, or

9 The “Employee Training Competencies” sec

Applicant Report
Unit Fire Program Man

Moderate Complexity E

3⁄4 Completing the Evaluation Process

9After evaluating the following:

1. OPM Requirements for GS‐462/455 andGS‐0401 (Supplemental Qualifications Standards, G

Specialist (DOI PB‐07‐13).

2. Specialized Experience (for GS‐0401 see Supplem

Standards (DOI PB 07‐13)

3. NWCG Incident Management Qualifications4. Required Training (if applicable)

The applicant is determined to be q

qualified.
Summary

3⁄4

A thorough knowledge of the foll

documents by HR Specialists is cr

correct qualifications determinat

9 DOI, Personnel Bulletin 07

‐13, 12

‐04

‐07 Tit

Requirements for GS

‐401 Fire Program Ma

seven page Attachment , “Policy Interpreta

Supplemental Qualification Standard for th

Specialist.”

9 IQCS Master Record, IFPM Applicant Repo

equivalent documentation

9 Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide (

9 NWCG Qualification Hierarchy (Job Aid) wh

on the IFPM website
Summary

3⁄4 HR staffs are encouraged to work 

Fire Management SME’s when re

IFPM positions.

3⁄4 Current developments, sample fo

supporting documentation can be 

the IFPM website: http://www.if

3⁄4 If you have questions please cont

agency or bureau HR representat

FPQS Sub

‐Committee.
FPQS Sub­Commit

3⁄4 The FPQS Sub‐Committee and advisors consist 

resources specialists, training and fire manage

from the USFS, BLM, BIA, FWS, NPS and DOI.

Agency Fire Management Human ResourceBIA Dave Koch Deborah Abeita

BLM Jeff Arnberger Tamara Neukam, 

FS Evans Kuo Cynthia Counts, L

FWS Kevin Conn Joeanna Headen, 

NPS Mark Koontz Melissa AnglinDOI Linda Erwin

DOI Craig Welch

BIA Lyle Carlile (NWCG Liaison)

FS Karyn Wood (NWCG Liaison)
Summary, co

• The wildland fire commun

appreciative of the continsupport of agency HR sta