Hiring New Crewmembers
-Hiking up into the mountains of Colorado to establish a fireline, extended assignments living and working in primitive conditions, taking in the view of Pikes Peak as you land on a remote helispot… if this sounds like a great way to spend the summer you’re in the right place. The Monument Helitack Crew is always on the lookout for motivated firefighters to carry on the traditions of the aerial-delivered firefighter family.
We require that our crewmembers have at least one season of wildland fire experience, but experience alone doesn't guarantee a position. Strong references, an excellent attitude and a solid performance in PT will go a long way. Qualifications such as ICT5, HECM, EMT-B or Faller-B don’t hurt either; however they aren't a condition of hire. Never worked with a helicopter before? Not to worry. It’s not unusual for us to put on the NWCG Helicopter Crewmember course in the spring. Our seasonal positions typically run from mid-April to mid-October.
Do you really want the job?
Following a career in wildland firefighting can be invigorating, rewarding and challenging. Many who choose to wear a yellow shirt discover a work ethic and tenacity inside themselves that they were previously unaware of. There is a certain toughness developed in people when they are tasked with hazardous duties, and the friendships developed under these circumstances are just as strong.
This profession is difficult, there’s no two ways about it. Long days on the fireline, long summers away from home, few conveniences while on assignment and all the challenges that come along with working for extended periods in the forest. You might experience all four seasons on one assignment. You might go for fourteen days without a shower or a bed. You will be tested mentally and physically, and you will find out how you react under pressure.
However, many firefighters share a similar opinion after their first wildfire assignment: “Why would anybody want to do anything else?!” Hazards aside, this profession offers amazing rewards. You will go to places and see things that most people never see. Spending six months a year travelling through the National Forests of America, witnessing wildfire in its element and working alongside enthusiastic, dedicated professionals doesn't compare to much else.
Consider this: You step out of a helicopter on to a piece of ground somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. The view is incredible, and there is a wildfire on the other side of the hill. You’re there with a group of people you trust, who you know will work hard at your side, and when you get home someone is going to hand you a paycheck. Not bad!
How do you apply?
The USFS hiring process can be challenging, and hopefully we can head off a few of your questions here. It all begins with your profile and application on the federal government's hiring website www.usajobs.gov (The application process is undergoing some changes and we will do our best to post any changes or updates here.)
Once you create a profile in USAJobs, you can apply for open positions. Positions at Monument are listed at the bottom of this page. Once you find the announcement, click on the job title and follow the instructions. You will be prompted to upload or build a resume, fill out the qualifications section and upload your IQCS file. Take the time to fill out the application in full and in detail. Many potential candidates have been dogged by incomplete applications.
What will make you stand out in the crowd?
Applying for a seasonal position can be competitive. Although we typically have a surplus of applications for our vacancies, there are things you can do to stand out. Attractive qualifications at the basic level are Firefighter Type 1, IC Type-5, Helicopter Crewmember, or EMT-Basic. Additional quals which stand out are ICT4, Faller-B, Faller-C, Crewboss or other single-resource bosses. As mentioned, these are not minimums; just a few quals that could make you stand out.
Also, it never hurts to pick up the phone and give us a ring or shoot us an email. Speaking with the permanent staff to express your desire to be part of the team can go a long way. Communicate with us before you put in your app and check back in with us to make sure everything is on track after you submit. If possible, stop by the helibase to shake hands and speak with us in person. It helps to put a face with a name. Head over to the contacts page to grab an email or phone number.
We require that our crewmembers have at least one season of wildland fire experience, but experience alone doesn't guarantee a position. Strong references, an excellent attitude and a solid performance in PT will go a long way. Qualifications such as ICT5, HECM, EMT-B or Faller-B don’t hurt either; however they aren't a condition of hire. Never worked with a helicopter before? Not to worry. It’s not unusual for us to put on the NWCG Helicopter Crewmember course in the spring. Our seasonal positions typically run from mid-April to mid-October.
Do you really want the job?
Following a career in wildland firefighting can be invigorating, rewarding and challenging. Many who choose to wear a yellow shirt discover a work ethic and tenacity inside themselves that they were previously unaware of. There is a certain toughness developed in people when they are tasked with hazardous duties, and the friendships developed under these circumstances are just as strong.
This profession is difficult, there’s no two ways about it. Long days on the fireline, long summers away from home, few conveniences while on assignment and all the challenges that come along with working for extended periods in the forest. You might experience all four seasons on one assignment. You might go for fourteen days without a shower or a bed. You will be tested mentally and physically, and you will find out how you react under pressure.
However, many firefighters share a similar opinion after their first wildfire assignment: “Why would anybody want to do anything else?!” Hazards aside, this profession offers amazing rewards. You will go to places and see things that most people never see. Spending six months a year travelling through the National Forests of America, witnessing wildfire in its element and working alongside enthusiastic, dedicated professionals doesn't compare to much else.
Consider this: You step out of a helicopter on to a piece of ground somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. The view is incredible, and there is a wildfire on the other side of the hill. You’re there with a group of people you trust, who you know will work hard at your side, and when you get home someone is going to hand you a paycheck. Not bad!
How do you apply?
The USFS hiring process can be challenging, and hopefully we can head off a few of your questions here. It all begins with your profile and application on the federal government's hiring website www.usajobs.gov (The application process is undergoing some changes and we will do our best to post any changes or updates here.)
Once you create a profile in USAJobs, you can apply for open positions. Positions at Monument are listed at the bottom of this page. Once you find the announcement, click on the job title and follow the instructions. You will be prompted to upload or build a resume, fill out the qualifications section and upload your IQCS file. Take the time to fill out the application in full and in detail. Many potential candidates have been dogged by incomplete applications.
What will make you stand out in the crowd?
Applying for a seasonal position can be competitive. Although we typically have a surplus of applications for our vacancies, there are things you can do to stand out. Attractive qualifications at the basic level are Firefighter Type 1, IC Type-5, Helicopter Crewmember, or EMT-Basic. Additional quals which stand out are ICT4, Faller-B, Faller-C, Crewboss or other single-resource bosses. As mentioned, these are not minimums; just a few quals that could make you stand out.
Also, it never hurts to pick up the phone and give us a ring or shoot us an email. Speaking with the permanent staff to express your desire to be part of the team can go a long way. Communicate with us before you put in your app and check back in with us to make sure everything is on track after you submit. If possible, stop by the helibase to shake hands and speak with us in person. It helps to put a face with a name. Head over to the contacts page to grab an email or phone number.
The Hiring Process
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The seasonal (temporary) hiring process has several stages. First, we request a USAJobs Vacancy Number from hiring authorities. This number will be specific to Monument Helitack. Once we receive the USAJobs Vacancy Number, the position will be announced here (see below) and posted on the federal hiring website USAJobs.gov. Applicants can fill out the application in full on USAJobs and submit it. From there, we pull a list of qualified applicants from the applicant pool and make preliminary decisions.
At this point we will contact references, conduct interviews, and send certain applications up the chain. A few folks from Forest Management will jump in to assist with selections and then we make an offer. Simple, right? Remember to fill out your application completely and attach any required documents, such as your IQCS Master Record file and resume. A few application tips: Compose a detailed resume that clearly states your experience, match your resume details to the KSAs (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) section on that specific application and have someone with several years USFS fire experience review your resume and application before you submit. Feel free to give us a call to let us know you submitted your application and ask any further questions. After that, good luck! We look forward to hearing from you. |
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Current Openings
Contact us for information on current openings!