California Fire Recruitment Dashboard
This dashboard will offer many resources on how to become a wildland firefighter for the Bureau of Land Management California. Here you will find information on the physical and educational requirements, the types of wildland fire crews, tips on how to apply, and what positions are currently seeking candidates.
COMPETITIVE PAY AND TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES
WORK OUTDOORS
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING
REAL WORLD TRAINING ON SKILLS THAT YOU WILL USE ANYWHERE YOU GO
CREDITABLE FEDERAL SERVICE TIME THAT CAN TRANSFER TO ANY CIVILIAN AGENCY IN THE COUNTRY
BELONG TO A CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY OF PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE GLOBE
TEST YOURSELF AND FIND YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL
How do I become a firefighter?
People interested in a job as a seasonal firefighter must apply through the USAJOBS website to the agency they are interested in working for. Each agency (Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State of Idaho, etc.) has its own process for hiring seasonal employees.
To become a wildland firefighter, you must be between the 18 and 35 years old and pass a physical fitness test. Starting pay for firefighters is a minimum of $15.00/hour and they sometimes earn overtime or hazard-duty pay.
Most agencies hire a fair number of employees on a seasonal basis (generally from May to September). Almost without exception, regardless of the type of work seasonal employees are hired to do, everyone receives basic firefighter training. During seasons where there are a lot of fires, people who have had basic fire training are called upon to help organized fire crews. If you do an outstanding job, regardless of what function you are in, you will be noticed and your chances of getting a fire job next season will be greatly increased.
If you are interested in a fire position outside of the federal government, please check with the agency you are interested in and obtain an information package on how to apply for these types of jobs.
[Insert rotator for different crews]
Learn about the different types of crews.
Open Positions in California
BLM Fire Job vacancies in other states.
How to Apply
If you already have your USAJOBS account active and are ready to apply, click here to submit your application. Otherwise follow the steps below to create an account, upload your resume and submit an application for a BLM-CA vacancy announcements.
Step 1 Go to: www.usajobs.gov
Step 2 Create an account and a profile - Create an account and complete your profile with login.gov. For help creating an account / profile, click here.
Step 3 Sign-In (if an account and a profile have been created) - Email/password/choose authentication method
Step 4 Resume - Instructions for uploading or building a resume, click here. You must build a resume with the USAJOBS Resume Builder or have an Uploaded Resume on your profile BEFORE applying. Select Documents (on the left-hand side of the screen); then click Upload or Build Resume and follow the steps.
Your Resume MUST include the following information:
- From and To dates (month/year to month/year) for each season and position held. (Ex: 05/2018 - 11/2018)
- Work schedule (number of hours worked per week) for all seasons and positions held. One year of experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hour per week (full-time). Part-time hours are prorated. You will receive any credit for a position listed that does not include the number of hours worked per week.
- Grade level for each position and/or season worked in the federal service.
- Detailed description of duties for each position held / season worked.
Step 5 Search Announcement in USAJOBS - Learn how to search for jobs here.
a. Review Vacancy Announcement - Review the announcement thoroughly. The sections describe who is eligible to apply, what experience and/or education is required for the position, and which documents are needed for your application package. For more information about understanding the job announcement, click here.
b. Apply - Click the Apply link on the right side of the vacancy announcement. This will direct you to the login page for USAJOBS. Select your USAJOBS resume to submit with your application and proceed through the application process answering all questions. For more information on how to create an application, click here.
USAJOBS - Application Section:
1. Select Resume - A green checkmark appears at the upper right corner of the resume you select. (*Required - you will be unable to move forward until a resume is selected).
2. Supporting Document(s) - If applicable, attach all required documents (refer to 'Required Documents' section of each vacancy announcement). Select documents - green checkmark(s) appear at the upper right corner of documents chosen. Please click the Uploading Steps above for more instructions.
3. Review Package - Review your application package and click the acknowledgement statement located on the bottom right.
4. Include Personal Information - Fill out.
5. Continue with Agency - Click the Verification Statement check box to continue to the Agency site. Proceed through the application process answering all questions.
6. Review and click Submit
a. Click - "I acknowledge that all of the supporting documents I want to submit with this application have been assigned to an Accepted Document type on the Documents page."
b. Click - Submit
Application Agency Application Section:
1. Biographic Information - fill out
2. Eligibilities - answer all questions
3. Preferences - answer all questions
4. Assessment - answer all questions (required for all grade levels for you to continue to submit your application)
5. Documents - Assign the supporting documents you imported from USAJOBS to the appropriate document types listed. If the document you need was not imported from USAJOBS, you may upload it directly into this application. Please refer to Uploading Steps above for instructions.
6. Review and click Submit
a. Click - "I acknowledge that all of the supporting documents I want to submit with this application have been assigned to an Accepted Document type on the Documents page."
b. Click - Submit Application - You must complete the entire application process and be redirected back to USAJOBS to successfully complete your application to a vacancy announcement.
After Application Submission
Application Status - You can view your status on USAJOBS. You will be notified through e-mail if you are referred for a specific position/grade/location.
To Withdraw your application from consideration for a specific announcement
Contact the DOI FIRES Program Office via e-mail (blm_fa_fires@blm.gov) and we will update your status in the system.
- Updating Your Application
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You have until the closing date of a job vacancy to edit your answers to the vacancy questions. You MUST complete all steps below in order for your updated information to be received.
- Sign into your USAJOBS account.
- Go to your Applications and find the application you would like to update.
- Click the "+" icon to see all of the application details.
- Review the Closing Date - you can no longer update the application if the job is closed.
- Click Update Application.
- You will be sent to the Review of the USAJOBS application process and then click Continue to Agency Site - this is the final step in the USAJOBS application system.
- Complete the remaining steps of your application in the agency application system.
- Click Submit in the agency application system - your application will not be updated until you submit the application again.
Resume/Personal Information
You may edit your personal information and resume at anytime during the open period of the announcement. *After you edit your personal information or resume in My Account you must REAPPLY to the open vacancy announcement and complete the application process to overwrite the previously submitted information.
YouTube Videos - 6 YouTube Videos with Steps on How to Apply.
Note: Some steps in these videos, such as faxing, no longer apply in the new staffing system being used. - Common Mistakes When Applying to USAJOBS Vacancies:
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Not including hours for each individual season or position
Be sure to include the number of Hours worked per week for ALL seasons and positions held. One year of experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week (full-time). Part-time hours will be prorated.
You will NOT receive any credit for a position listed that does not include hours.Not including months and/or years for each individual season or position
Be sure to include From and To dates (month/year to month/year) for each season and position held (Ex: 05/2018 to 08/2018).
You will NOT receive credit for a position missing months or years.
Not listing Duties in resume
List in detail all duties performed in each season and position held. Expand on your duties and be as specific as you can.
Failure to Submit Supporting Documentation for Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) positions - GS-5 and above only
Be sure to submit your Incident Qualifications and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or equivalent documentation; refer to the vacancy announcement you applied to for more information.
18 Years of Age or Older:
In our announcements, we have an eligibility question for minimum age that states: "I am 18 years of age or older OR will be 18 by the time I am available for work. (Please note that applicants must be 18 years or older before being appointed to a Firefighting position)."
If you are 18 years or older OR will be 18 by the time you are available for work and click "no" or if you do not answer the question, you will be self-eliminated.