As of October 1, 2010, the minimum qualification standards (MQS) contained in the Interagency Fire Program Management Qualifications and Standard (IFPM) is in effect. All applicants for IFPM positions after this date must possess the MQS as selective placement factors in order to be eligible. All IFPM incumbents must possess the MQS, or follow the process outlined in Step 9 of the Forest Service IFPM Implementation Plan

When filling an IFPM vacancy, please refer to the Forest Service SPD Crosswalk and the HRM Open Continuous Recruitment (OCR) announcements: http://fsweb.asc.fs.fed.us/HRM/employment/Open_Continuous_Recruitments.php

All of the Forest Service national standard position descriptions (NSPD) identified on the IFPM/FS-FPM Crosswalk have been updated to correspond to the IFPM and FS-FPM Standards. Only those NSPD’s are considered IFPM or FS-FPM positions, and all other NSPD’s are not subject to the IFPM or FS-FPM Standards. Similarly, the OCR announcements for IFPM have been updated to require attainment of the primary and secondary core requirements, and any additional required training as selective placement factors. The OCR announcements for FS-FPM positions will be updated on October 1, 2013 to incorporate the FS-FPM MQS as selective placement factors.

FS-FPM Standard is still in the implementation period, with a scheduled implementation deadline of October 1, 2013. The Forest Service will be implementing FS-FPM in the same manner as IFPM, but has a stand-alone FS-FPM Implementation Plan. Prior to October 1, 2013, applicants for FS-FPM positions may be hired without possessing the MQS, but will be required to attain those requirements prior to the implementation deadline. Current employees encumbered in FS-FPM positions must attain the MQS identified for their position by the implementation deadline.

As of October 2010, the Forest Service is still under Chief Kimbell’s May 29, 2009 interim direction regarding use of the 401 series. Until this direction is rescinded, all vacant IFPM and FS-FPM positions at grade level GS-12 and below are to be filled in the 462 series.

For questions regarding IFPM or FS-FPM, please contact your Regional Leads