Hiring and Employment Information
Open-Continous Announcements are out Once again (8/8/2007)
These continue to be the announcements we use to hire our squad leader and senior firefighter positions. We currently have vacancies and plan to make selections soon. Please apply if you are interested.
There is new application process for jobs within the BLM. You now must create an account on USAJOBS with your resume and apply through USAJOBS. The announcements for our Squad-Leader (module leader) and Senior Firefighter positions continue to run as continuous-open announcements. These can be found at USAJOBS, or follow the links below. Both positions are advertised as MERIT and DEMO (all citizens). If you have questions on the positions contact the crew.
Squad-Leader
Senior (Lead) Firefighter
Crewmember Information--2008
We have completed our crewmember hiring for the 2008 season. However, these announcements will remain open until the end of May. You may still apply and find a spot on our reserve list should we lost crewmembers throughout the season.
The announcement for the 2008 fire season is now open. Please read all of the following before you begin your application process. The process has changed significantly from last season and everybody will need to create a new account/profile with USAJOBS. Your old resume and information that you had saved in firejobs will no longer apply to these positions. We will have an early consideration date of January 17th, 2008. If you would like to be considered for the first round, you must have your application completed by that date.
There are two announcements for the crew. One is for all crewmembers at the GS 02,03,04,05 levels and is the one everyone should apply to. There is also an announcement for a senior (lead) GS 06 temp position that MAY or MAY NOT be used. If you qualify at the GS 06 level you can apply, but we don't know if we will select anyone from this list. This list will only be used in the event we do not fill our permanent positions.
The announcement for the GS 02-05 Crewmember can be found here:
Crewmember position at USAJOBS GS 02-05
The announcement for the GS 06 lead position can be found here:
Lead FF position at the GS 06 level
PLEASE READ ALL OF THE FOLLOWING BEFORE YOU APPLY
How to Apply and Common Hiring Questions . . .
HOW DO I APPLY?
As the Diamond Mountain IHC is a Bureau of Land Management Hotshot crew, we DO NOT use the AVUE system. If you apply using AVUE we WILL NOT see your application.
For detailed application instructions and useful hints please go to www.firejobs.doi.gov
Please follow these instructions to apply for a job with us. Follow the links above to take you to USAJOBS and the current open announcements.
Once you get to USAJOBS and see the announcement is should be BLM-FIRE-2008-002. At the bottom of the page you will find a button that says APPLY ONLINE. Click on this link to take you to the application pages. If you have never created an account on USAJOBS, you will need to do that now. Click on the "Create Account Now" button to create your new user account. If you already have an account with USAJOBS, enter your username and password to login.
This will take you through a series of screens where you must enter your personal information, contact information, and work history. Please be thorough when entering job history information and be sure to fill in each block.
Once you have completed the registration process and work history, you will begin the application process for the current position. Select your resume that you want submitted (this comes from the job history you just entered). You will then go to the assessment questions. Check all grades you wish to be considered for (GS 02,03,04, and/or GS 05) and the location. For Diamond Mountain you need to select Susanville, CA. You can select UP TO, but NO MORE THAN SEVEN locations, but no more. For each selection you choose you will be considered in that location.
Complete the questions and then click submit and then click finished on the final page to submit your application.
If you have questions on the above process or need help, give us a call.
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?
RIGHT NOW!!!! The announcement is currently open and will remain open until April. The early consideration date is January 17th, 2008 so get your applications in NOW.
HOW CAN I BE SURE MY APPPLICATION WAS ACCEPTED?
We have NO control over this and we are unable to verify that anyone has applied until after the closing date of the announcement. You must follow the instructions on the FIREJOBS site closely and be sure to send in any supporting documentation that is required.
If you need assistance or have questions contact the FIREJOBS help desk at 888-364-6432 or email at fa_fires@nifc.blm.gov
SHOULD I SEND A COPY OF MY RESUME DIRECTLY TO THE CREW?
By all means, YES! Send a copy of your resume directly to the crew at:
Bureau of Land Management
Diamond Mountain IHC
2950 Riverside Drive
Susanville, CA 96130
Send only your resume, we DO NOT need to see copies of your fire certificates, pictures of yourself or your family, fire patches, clever letters, transcripts, birth certificates, or the like. It IS helpful to include a training record and a copy of your red card with your resume.
HOW MANY VACANCIES WILL YOU HAVE?
The Diamond Mountain Hotshots commonly experience anywhere from 2-6 vacancies each year. The actual number is not usually known until early spring. The vacant crewmember positions are highly competitive and we normally experience 200-300 applicants per year.
WHEN WILL YOU MAKE SELECTIONS?
We normally have our first list of applicants sometime in January. Job offers will not normally be made until February, as the hiring process takes some time.
WHEN (OR IF) SHOULD I START CALLING?
It never hurts to contact the crew to show interest and ask questions. The winter is busy time for the crew overhead and we are not available at all times to answer questions and talk to each potential applicant. Making a visit to Susanville is always encouraged but not necessary. We WILL make an effort to return calls and schedule a meeting with any applicants who wish to make the trip to Susanville.
Email questions should be directed at the Assistant Superintendent.
CAN I BE HIRED IF I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE?
It is possible to be hired with no prior wildland fire experience, although your chances are less as we can have no more than 20% of the crew without prior wildland experience. If you have no prior experience, you still must have a red card and the required basic firefighter training, S-110, S-130, and S-190. You don't have to worry about a pack-test as that will be done on your first day if you are selected.
DO YOU HIRE STUDENTS OR HAVE STUDENT SLOTS?
We normally reserve 1-2 students slots each season for RETURNING crewmembers only. We do not typically hire first year student crewmembers. You must be available from May 1st to October 31st.
DO YOU HAVE CREW HOUSING?
No, we don't. Crewmembers are responsible for making there own housing/lodging arrangements. We can assist in supplying a list of local rental companies and other interested individuals.
WHEN SHOULD I START TRAINING FOR THE 2008 SEASON?
Right now!!! The backbone of all Interagency Hotshot Crews is a high level of physical fitness. Daily physical fitness training will start the first day if you are selected and will continue until the crew is laid-off in the fall. Give us a call if you need help with a physical fitness regiment.