USDA -- United States Department of Agriculture

Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the maximum entry age and is it the same for all open positions?

37 years of age for all wildland firefighter apprentice positions, unless you have previously worked in a position covered by the firefighter retirement system. If you are a veteran or eligible for Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, you are eligible to apply for an age waiver. Participants must be under the age of 37 by Entry on Duty (EOD).

2. Can you apply for all positions at a certain GS level (if location is not an issue) or do you have to apply to each job/location separately?

Yes, an applicant may select every available duty location if you would like, but are encouraged to only select those for which you are truly interested. That option is available in the application process.

3. What other types of documents can I include in my application?

Every announcement is different. Read the announcement in its entirety, including the “Required Documents” section to determine which documents to include. More is always better. Include transcripts, letters of recommendation and cover letters to supplement a resume.

4. How quickly can you expect to go through the application process on USAJOBS?

It depends on the complexity of the announcement and if you are prepared to complete the application. You must first create your profile in USAJOBS prior to applying for a position. You are also encouraged to read and understand the complete job announcement before starting your application to ensure you have all required documents and other necessary information.

5. The SF-50 form includes a field listing Date of Birth. The instructions in USAJOBS indicate to not list certain information, including age. Should applicants redact/black out DOB before uploading?

You are encouraged to redact or black out these items if on a document you intend to upload. Your application will be considered whether or not it contains your DOB/SSN. If selected and hired, the agency may request additional

1

USDA -- United States Department of Agriculture

needed information from you.

6. How many applicants are accepted into the apprenticeship program each year?

There is a fall and spring apprenticeship hire annually. The number of apprentices accepted would vary on location and budget.

7. How do I know what GS level I qualify for?

The “Qualifications” section of the job announcement identifies the requirements (e.g., experience education) needed for each offered GS level.

See below examples:

GS-03, 6 months general experience. If you have 6 months of general experience annotated on your resume, apply for the GS-03.

Examples of qualifying general experience are: Performed farm/ranch labor, such as feeding/tending livestock or general maintenance of farm/ranch facilities; worked in a greenhouse, nursery or landscaping e.g., planting, moving, watering, and tending plants; animal caretaker in a laboratory, zoo or pet store; volunteer work at a park, hospital, community sports league, local fire department, etc.

GS-04, 6 months general experience and 6 months specialized experience. If you have 6 months of general experience and 6 months specialized experience annotated on your resume, apply for the GS-04.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience are: Performed a limited variety of manual tasks to accomplish fuels reduction work and suppress wildland fires using a variety of hand and power tools; At the instruction of a crew leader, patrolled fire line to locate and extinguish sparks, flare-ups, and hot spot fires that might threaten developed fire lines; At the instruction of a crew leader, moved dirt, chopped brush, or felled small trees to build fire line using various hand tools and power saws to control spreading wildland fires and to prepare lines prior to prescribed burning.

8. Can I count experience to qualify for a higher GS level if I will have the experience by the time I start the position but not by the job announcement close date?

No, to receive consideration for any position, you must meet all requirements as

2

USDA -- United States Department of Agriculture

of the closing date of the announcement.

9. How does the apprenticeship program differ from a traditional 6-month temporary fire position?

These are permanent positions with varying tours of duty, which may include weekend work. Tours of duty are less than full-time seasonal (guaranteed minimum 6 months/13 pay periods of full-time employment). Wildland firefighter apprentices are eligible for primary firefighter retirement coverage.

10. How does structural firefighting experience count when applying for the apprenticeship program?

This may count toward general experience, but does not count toward specialized experience.

11. Can we apply for out of state job openings?

Yes, if you are willing to relocate to the location of the job.

12. What other kinds of general experience would be considered for the GS-3 position outside of farm work?

Any type of strenuous outdoor work, such as working at zoo, volunteer work at a park, hospital, community sports league, local fire department, construction, etc.

13. Do I need to have completed the Work Capacity Test (WCT) prior to applying?

No, the WCT will be completed after selection and hiring.

14. What suggestions do you have for an applicant that keeps getting “referred” on USAJOB, but does not get a job offer?

If not already described in the resume, include volunteer experience, education and certificates attained pertinent to the position. Include a cover letter or letters of recommendation to supplement a resume.

15. Does the completion of a Fire Explorer Academy count for being qualified as a GS-03?

You need 6 months of general experience is necessary for the GS-03 position. If that experience is equal to the 6 months or that in combination with other

3

USDA -- United States Department of Agriculture

experience equals 6 months, it qualifies. Please ensure to capture it on a resume.

16. On average, how long does the Forest Service take to make a hiring decision for the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship program?

Vacancies are posted in mid-August with selections being made in mid-November. A second hiring session may be held with vacancies posted in November and selections made in mid-February.

17. Does a college degree in biology or land management add to either general or specialized experience?

Successful completion of 2 years of study may qualify you for the GS-04 if it includes at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses, such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 3 semester hours in mathematics is creditable; or combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

18. Will I complete my Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship training in one location?

Wildland firefighter apprentices may be required to (temporarily) relocate for specialized training essential to the program.

19. Do I have to apply for a specific job location?

You have to select at least one location in order to submit your application. You should select all duty locations you are interested in. In order to be hired in a specific location, you must have selected that location when you applied.

4