Wildland firefighters watch an airtanker drop retardant on the Horse Park Fire in Colorado in 2018. | Photo by Jerrod Fast, BLM

Department of Interior’s (DOI) Fire Integrated Recruitment Employment Systems (FIRES) is a secure web-based recruitment system that allows you to apply online for temporary fire positions within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the National Park Service (NPS), and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

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.

Fire Hiring Webinar 10/2022 - YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOE9jdCgzfE - The first half explains different fire jobs that applicants may consider applying to.  The second half explains information on USAJOBS, Announcements, timeframes for hiring/onboarding, and the benefits of working for the Federal Government.

Common Mistakes When Applying to DOI FIRES Vacancies:

Not including months and/or years & hours worked per week for each individual season or position

Resume which includes your name and a list of each season and position held, duties performed, dates specified in month/year to month/year format. In addition, the resume must reflect full-time or total number of hours worked per week. Part-time hours can be pro-rated based on number of hours worked per week provided.  If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.

Example 1: 05/2018 to 08/2018 could be credited as 3 months if 40 hours worked per week (full-time) are listed -or- 2.25 months if 30 hours worked per week are listed -or-1.5 months if 20 hours worked per week are listed.

Example 2: 05/2015 to 10/2015 could be credited as 5 months of experience if 40 hours worked per week (full-time) are listed -or- 3.75 months if 30 hours worked per week are listed -or- 2.5 months if 20 hours worked per week are listed.

Example 3: Dates listed with month/day/year to month/day/year could be given credit for each to/from date in its entirety if hours worked per week are listed. 05/1/2018 to 08/16/2018 could be credited as 3 months, 16 days -or- 1 month, 23 days if 20 hours worked per week are listed.

***You will NOT receive credit for a position listed missing months or years and/or hours worked per week.***

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.

BLM Veteran Crew Information

To learn more about each of the DOI Agencies fire programs, select the desired agency logo below.