Laguna Hotshot Camp Weather

Saturday, December 17, 2011

2012 Apprentice Application Announcment

U.S. FOREST SERVICE – Region 5 (California)
Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program (WFAP)
 

Application Period: December 16, 2011 through January 16, 2012

Veterans are encouraged to apply on the Avue web site under the Demo Authority (DP) where Veterans Preference is applied to eligible applicants. You must submit a DD-214 if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference. An age waiver may be granted to eligible Veterans who can meet the arduous physical standards of the position. Veteran applicants may qualify for funding under the GI Bill.

Duties: Serves on a crew performing duties in fire suppression and/or fire prevention. Performs prescribed burning crew duties in order to reduce fuel hazards and disease, while protecting wildlife. Assists fire dispatch by operating radios, telephones, and other equipment that is used to exchange information for fire weather information or other suppression related activities. Lays fire hose in the use of water to control fire. Moves dirt, chops brush, and fells small trees to build fire line using various hand tools such as an axe, shovel, Pulaski, and McLeod to control spreading wildland fire and/or to prepare lines prior to controlled burning. Chops, carries, and piles logging slash. Searches out and extinguishes burning materials by moving dirt, applying water by hose or backpack pump. Patrols fire line to locate and extinguish sparks, flare-ups, and hot spots that may threaten loss of control of the fire. Cleans, reconditions, and stores simple fire tools and equipment. When not engaged in fire suppression or training activities, Forestry Technicians perform basic duties in support of fire, timber, silviculture, recreation, wilderness, or research programs, projects, or activities. These duties may include road, trail, station, recreational facilities maintenance, visitor contacts and other duties as assigned.

The USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region (California) Fire and Aviation Management program requires talented people working safely together to be successful. Wildland firefighters work in a variety of specialized positions, including fire engine crews, fuels management, hand crews, helitack, interagency hotshot crews,  and patrol and prevention technicians. Crews often travel throughout California and other areas across the country performing fire suppression and other incident activities.

Vacancy Announcement (VA) #: 12-R5-WFAP-345DP will be open December 16, 2011 through January 17, 2012. This Demo (DP) announcement will be open to temporary government employees (summer firefighters), Veterans, members of the general public and current Federal employees. This is the only announcement number for the California WFAP. To easily locate the announcement in Avue; sign up, log in, click on the red Job Search button, then click on Search by Filters, locate the Vacancy Announcement box and enter: 12-R5-WFAP-345DP click Add, then click on Find Jobs. To apply for the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program (WFAP) GS-462-3/4/5 you must submit the on line application no later than January 17, 2012, to be considered for these positions.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Apply through the AVUE Digital Services on-line application system – https://www.avuedigitalservices.com//usfa/applicant.html You may also access the vacancy announcements through USAJOBS – http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/ - and note, you will be redirected to apply through the AVUE website. Specific information about the position can be found under the listing “Position Description” at both the AVUE and USAJOBS websites. PLEASE READ VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT COMPLETELY AS IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Check out the “Community” link and the “Wildland Firefighting” discussion for helpful hints from the Avue Home page. Veterans can find help in identifying and articulating military skills on Avue in the Career Portfolio > My Career Experience MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) and select the military filter. Applicants may select up to 9 specific Forests/locations where you would be willing to accept a job offer. There may not be a second offer at a more desirable location. All applicants are encouraged to attach a list in the “Additional Information” block of up to 9 preferred Avue cities in priority order – in addition to selecting from the Avue drop down menu. Specific duty locations have been consolidated under the National Forest Headquarter location. The nature of the WFAP may require a selectee to move to different duty locations to gain expertise and complete program requirements across the Forest.
Not all locations anticipate hiring Apprentices at this time. Apply to locations that you would accept a job offer.

Selections for Apprentice positions will be made the week of February 20, 2012
To receive additional assistance in understanding the hiring process, contact the California Region 5, Fire Recruiter, Rita Yates at (530) 621-5288, Cell (707) 334-1394, or Email ryates@fs.fed.us

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