| General Information | Passwords, ID's, and Logging In | Finding Jobs |

| Resume Instructions | Applying for Jobs | Faxing | Qualifications |

General Information   1.  What if I don't have a computer? 2.  What if I don't have email? 3.  When exactly do jobs close? 4.  I am not a citizen of the United States; can I apply for jobs in the DOI? 5.  Do you accept hard copy applications? 6.  What if I need help applying?

1.  What if I don't have a computer? A. Most college placement offices, job search agencies, unemployment offices, public libraries and some civic centers have computers and Internet access available to use for free. 2.  What if I don't have email? A. There are several Internet Service Providers that offer free email accounts. Hotmail and Yahoo are just two of these. Through them or other companies, you can obtain a free email address that you can use with FIRES. 3.  When exactly do jobs close? A. FIRES positions close at midnight Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of the announcement.  4.  I am not a citizen of the United States. Can I apply for jobs in the Department of Interior? A. If you are a non-citizen you are not eligible to apply to positions within DOI FIRES. 5.  Do you accept hard copy applications? A. If you are unable to apply online.  Contact the point of contact on the vacancy PRIOR to the closing date for information and to request an employment packet. 6.  What if I need help applying? A. You may contact the point of contact listed on the vacancy announcement for assistance in applying. Return to Top

Passwords, ID's, and Logging In   1.  Is it possible to have multiple identities or more than one email address in USAJOBS? 2.  I'm uncomfortable using my Social Security Number, is there any way I can fill out an application without it? 3.  I tried to login using my email address and it doesn't work. 4.  I forgot my password.

1.  Is it possible to have multiple identities or more than one email address in FIRES? A. No. You are identified in My USAJOBS by your Social Security Number, your USAJOBS user ID and your password which you entered in the registration.  USAJOBS will not allow you to create more than one account using the same email address or Social Security Number. 2. I'm uncomfortable using my Social Security Number, is there any way I can fill out an application without it? A. No, your Social Security Number is one of the few reliable means government agencies have of distinguishing one applicant from another. 3.  I tried to login using my email address and it doesn't work. A. Have you updated your e-mail address recently; it may be an older e-mail address that you used in the past.  Go to:  https://my.usajobs.opm.gov/forgot.asp, click on “Learn More”, this will give you more information on what USAJOBS Help Desk may need from you in order to look you up in the system and help you with your User ID or select “Help” at the bottom of the screen for assistance in contacting the USAJOBS Help Desk. 4.I forgot my password A. Go to:  https://my.usajobs.opm.gov/forgot.asp, this will walk you through to get a new password or select “Help” at the bottom of the screen for assistance in contacting the USAJOBS Help Desk. Return to Top

Finding Jobs   1.  Can I be automatically notified of vacancies as soon as they open? 2.  How do I unsubscribe from the email notifications or cancel a "Job Search Agent"? 3.  I elected to receive email notifications or setup a “Job Search Agent” and I'm not receiving them?

1. Can I be automatically notified of vacancies as soon as they open? A.Yes, you need to create a “Job Search Agent”.  Login to My USAJOBS, select “My Job Search Agents”, then select “Create New Agent”, select the search criteria you are interested in, enter Agent Title and select “Save Agent”.  You now will receive e-mails matching your specific criteria.  You can create up to 10 Search Agents. 2. How do I unsubscribe from the email notifications or cancel a “Job Search Agent? A. Login to My USAJOBS, select “My Job Search Agents”, from the list provided locate the agent you desire to cancel and select “Delete”. 3. I elected to receive email notifications or setup a “Job Search Agent” and I'm not receiving them. A. Reason 1:  Your e-mail is incorrect.   Login to My USAJOBS, select "My Account Profile," verify your e-mail is correct, change it if needed and then confirm your password at the bottom and click “Submit”.  It may take a few hours after you change your e-mail to take affect.                                                                                                 Reason 2:  You selected to receive notification e-mails or “Job Search Agents”, but it did not get saved.  Login to My USAJOBS, select "My Job Search Agents" to view your saved Agents. (note: that you will only get new job posting meeting YOUR specified criteria). It may take a few hours after you change your preferences to take affect.   Reason 3:  The e-mail went into your Junk Mail Inbox. Check your Junk Mail Inbox to see if it is in your Junk Mail.   Reason 4:  Your e-mail provider uses SPAM Blocker. Add jagent@route.fedjobs.gov to your address list.   Return to Top

Resume Instructions   1.  What information should I put in my resume? 2.  Should I include the vacancy number of the job I'm applying for in my resume? 3.  What if I want to change my personal information or update my resume? 4.  Can I upload my resume as an attachment instead of copying and pasting it into the text block?

1. What information should I put in my resume? A.You will be guided through the Resume Builder (online process) on what to put in your resume.  For step by step instructions on how to apply click here.  If applying hard copy, all the information you need to include in your resume or application can be found in the OF-612 “Optional Application for Federal Employment” which can be found at http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp.    2. Should I include the vacancy number of the job I'm applying for in my online resume? A. It is not necessary to include the announcement number in your online resume.  When you apply your resume is automatically attached to each announcement that you apply for. 3. What if I want to change my personal information or update my resume? A. You may edit your personal information and resume at anytime during the open period of the announcement.  After you edit /update either your personal information or your resume in My USAJOBS you then must reapply to the open vacancy announcement and complete the application process to over write the previously submitted information. 4. Can I upload my resume as an attachment instead of copying and pasting it into the text block? A. We do not accept uploaded resumes.  Follow the instructions on "How to Apply". Return to Top

Applying for Jobs 1.  I am interested in applying for a position, where do I send my application/resume electronically? 2.  How do I send my supporting documentation listed in the vacancy announcement? 3.  Are college transcripts required? 4.  Do I have to answer questions for every job I apply for? Some of them have the same questions but different job numbers. 5.  What if I don't answer the vacancy-specific questions? 6.  Is there any way I can see which positions I have applied for and the status? 7.  How do I find out how I answered the vacancy questions? 8.  When filling out an application there's a question that I can answer either of two different ways. Which answer should I select? 9.  What if I am interested in applying to more than 7 locations?

1. I am interested in applying for a position, where do I send my application/resume electronically? A.In order to apply for seasonal wildland firefighter jobs in the DOI, login and register on the USAJOBS website. 2. How do I send my supporting documentation listed in the vacancy announcement? A. You can Fax or Upload your supporting documentation; refer to Faxing/Uploading Instructions for further information. 3. Are college transcripts required? A. If you are qualifying using your education, you must fax in either Official or Unofficial transcripts; refer to Faxing/Uploading Instructions. 4. Do I have to answer questions for every job I apply for? Some of them have the same questions, but different job numbers. A. You must answer Personal information questions and Vacancy specific questions. The personal information questions. These questions cover your basic information and include your name, resume, and demographic information. You only have to answer these questions one time, although you can change your answers at any time.   The vacancy-specific questions. These are the questions that are in the vacancy announcement itself, and are used to establish your qualifications for a particular announcement. You must answer these questions for every vacancy you are applying for.   5. What if I don't answer the vacancy-specific questions? A. If the announcement closes and you have not provided answers to the vacancy specific questions, you will not be considered for the vacancy that you applied for. 6. Is there any way I can see which positions I have applied for and the status? A.Yes, You can verify you have applied to a vacancy and check the status of your application by logging onto My USAJOBS and selecting the “My Applications”, it will show the status of your application, as either “Application Started” or “Resume Received” under the Application Status column.  If your status is “Resume Received” select “More Information” to view detailed status of your applications. 7. How do I find out how I answered the vacancy questions? A. During the application process you are provided with an opportunity to have a copy of your application e-mailed to you.  If you did not select this option during your initial application, you will need to find the vacancy announcement and reapply.  At the bottom of the “Vacancy Questions” page select the box next to “I would like a copy of my application e-mailed to me”, then select the “Finish” button and continue the application process until you have returned to USAJOBS.   8. When filling out an application there's a question that I can answer either of two different ways. Which answer should I select? A. If you're having a hard time deciding between two different answers to a question, select the one that best describes your experience and/or education. 9. What if I am interested in applying to more than 7 locations? A. At this time, the policy is you can select up 7 locations for any given announcement.  The system will automatically screen out your application if you select more than 7 locations. Return to Top

Faxing 1.  What is Auto Request Fax? 2.  How do I obtain a fax coversheet for Auto Request Fax? 3.  Is 571-258-4052 the correct fax number? 4.  Do I need to send a separate fax transmission for each document? 5.  I faxed documents last year through the Auto Request process, do I need to fax them in every year? 6.  I faxed in additional documents and they do not show up in "My Portfolio" in USAJOBS. 7.  Can I use the uploaded feature in"My Portfolio" in USAJOBS to send in additional required documents?

1. What is Auto Request Fax? A. Auto Request Fax is a feature that allows applicants to print special fax coversheets for supporting documents such as college transcripts. Applicants use the special fax cover sheets to submit the documents. The fax is transmitted into the system, not to a fax machine. The fax code at the top left corner of the fax cover sheet directs the document to the appropriate location within the system. 2. How do I obtain a fax cover sheet for Auto Request Fax? A.  For fax coversheets associated with announcement, you will be automatically prompted to print the fax coversheets when you apply for a specific job online. For fax coversheets associated with your profile, follow the Faxing Instructions. Once the documentation is received, a snapshot of the documentation will be taken on the closing date, or the early consideration date published in the announcement, and it becomes a part of your application. 3. Is 571-258-4052 the correct fax number? A. Yes, all Auto Request Fax documents use the same fax number. This number is not tied to a fax machine. The number directs the fax into the automated system and the cover sheet fax code (upper left corner) will direct the fax to the proper location within the system. 4. Do I need to send a separate fax transmission for each document? A. Yes, send a separate fax transmission using the special cover sheet for each “type” of document. For example, you can send all college transcripts together in one transmission and then send in your DD-214 in a separate transmission. 5. I faxed documents last year through the Auto Request process; do I need to fax them in every year? A. Maybe, if you faxed the documents in last year when you were prompt at the end of your registration they should still be associated with your application (examples are college transcripts, DD-214, VA Letters).  You will need to refax in the documents if you need to submit updated information.    (Example: if you faxed in college transcripts last year that had only two (2) years of education you completed, and you now have completed three (3) years of education, you will need to fax in all three (3) years of your transcripts.) If you faxed in documents when you were prompt at the end of a specific vacancy (examples are drivers license, Incident Qualifications Command System (IQCS) qualifications) then you will need to fax them in again.  These documents are set up to associate only with a specific announcement.  This insures that the most current information is available during the qualification review process. 6. I faxed in additional required documents and they do not show up in "My Portfolio" in USAJOBS. A. When you Fax in your documents you will NOT see your documents in "My Portfolio" in USAJOBS.  Please follow the Faxing Instructions to see if your documents were received.  7. Can I use the uploaded feature in "My Portfolio" in USAJOBS to send in additional required documents? A. No, Please follow the Faxing Instructions to send in additional required documents. Return to Top     Qualifications 1.  How will I be qualified? 2.  How do I know if I am qualified for a position I am interested in? 3.  How do I know what grade level Wildland Firefighter I would qualify for? 4.  What is a selective factor? 5.  How does the system qualify my resume? 6.  Will I receive my qualifications via email? 7.  What is considered wildland fire experience?

1. How will I be qualified? A. Your qualifications are based on your responses to the specific questions in the vacancy announcement and the information in your resume.  More information regarding qualifications for federal jobs can be found at the Office of Personnel Management website at:  http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/ 2. How do I know if I am qualified for a position I am interested in? A. The announcement provides specific information regarding what is needed to qualify for the position announced for each grade level.   3. How do I know what grade level Wildland Firefighter I would qualify for? A.  A combination of things is used to determine the grade you would qualify for.   The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) establishes the minimum standards   for each grade and occupation.  For Wildland Firefighters the standard for “Technical and Medical Support Positions” is used and can be viewed at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-IV/A/GS-TECH.HTM.               The minimum or basic qualification information in addition to any applicable             selective placement factors is defined in the vacancy announcement for each             grade being recruited. 4.  What is a selective factor? A. Selective factors are basic skills and abilities that are required for the position in addition to the basic qualifications requirements 5. How does the system qualify my resume? A. The system qualifies you based on the responses to the vacancy-specific questions. Your resume and any text responses to the questions will be used to verify your answers to the vacancy-specific questions, as well as providing additional information to the personnel specialist and selecting official.  6.  Will I receive my qualifications via email? A. No, log in to "My USAJOBS" and select “My Applications ”, select "View all Applications" at the bottom of the pop-down screen, then find the vacancy you applied to, select "More Information" under the Application Status column, on the Fire Jobs screen select "View Detailed Status of Applications with this agency" and click "Continue" under the "Comments" column there will be a comment as to if you qualify or not. 7.  What is considered wildland fire experience? A.  Wildland fire experience is defined as any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland. Wildland firefighting experience is gained through work on the fire line in containment, control, suppression or use of wildland fire. This experience can be met by serving in a temporary, seasonal or equivalent private sector fire position. Periods of wildland firefighting experience gained through militia and rural fire departments can also be credited. Return to Top