Program OrientationProgram OrientationforforApprentices & Apprentices & SupervisorsSupervisors

Mission Statement:Mission Statement:

To develop and enhance To develop and enhance today’s Wildland firefighters today’s Wildland firefighters with the skills, knowledge with the skills, knowledge and abilities to perform as and abilities to perform as tomorrow’s competent and tomorrow’s competent and

effective leaders.effective leaders.

IntroductionIntroduction

The National Interagency Wildland The National Interagency Wildland Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Program serves as a nationally Program serves as a nationally registered apprenticeship program, registered apprenticeship program, under the Department of Labor, to under the Department of Labor, to enhance and develop future Wildland enhance and develop future Wildland fire managers.fire managers.

1990-Current--The program is administered 1990-Current--The program is administered by WO, Hosted by FS Pacific SW Region by WO, Hosted by FS Pacific SW Region

Under an agreement with the: Under an agreement with the:

• Department of LaborDepartment of Labor

• USDA Forest ServiceUSDA Forest Service

• USDI Bureau of Land ManagementUSDI Bureau of Land Management

• USDI National Park ServiceUSDI National Park Service

• USDI Fish & Wildlife ServiceUSDI Fish & Wildlife Service

• National Federation of Federal EmployeesNational Federation of Federal Employees

The program provides a careerThe program provides a career

entry firefighter with education, training, entry firefighter with education, training, andand

work experience that will allow an work experience that will allow an individual toindividual to

reach reach journey level statusjourney level status, fully qualified , fully qualified toto

perform the work at or above the level of perform the work at or above the level of

Firefighter IFirefighter I

Sponsor Agency-Sponsor Agency-Roles and Roles and

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

National Interagency Joint National Interagency Joint Apprenticeship Committee:Apprenticeship Committee:

Determines apprenticeship program standards and Determines apprenticeship program standards and guidelines.guidelines.

Maintains oversight of and develops the Wildland Maintains oversight of and develops the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program Operating Plan.Firefighter Apprenticeship Program Operating Plan.

Develops training guidelines, evaluates curriculum, Develops training guidelines, evaluates curriculum, and measures effectiveness of the program.and measures effectiveness of the program.

Acts on behalf of sponsoring agencies to provide Acts on behalf of sponsoring agencies to provide oversight the program.oversight the program.

Promotes the apprenticeship program.Promotes the apprenticeship program. When possible, interacts with the apprentices and When possible, interacts with the apprentices and

academy staff to hear issues and concerns.academy staff to hear issues and concerns.

Agency Joint Apprenticeship Agency Joint Apprenticeship CommitteeCommittee

Identify and resolve agency specific issues as Identify and resolve agency specific issues as related to the implementation of the related to the implementation of the apprenticeship program.apprenticeship program.

Forwards issues and recommendations of an Forwards issues and recommendations of an interagency nature to the NIJAC for a solution. interagency nature to the NIJAC for a solution.

Disseminate information/direction from NIJAC Disseminate information/direction from NIJAC through agency channels.through agency channels.

NATIONAL INTERAGENCY JOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM ORGANIZATION CHART

National Interagency Joint ApprenticeshipCommittee (NIJAC)

Program ManagerFS Nat'l Coord

Operations Specialist

USFS Joint Apprenticeship

Committee (AJAC)

BLM Joint Apprenticeship

Committee (AJAC)

NPS & FWS (2) Joint Apprenticeship

Committee (AJAC)

Agency WFAPCoordinator

Regional Coordinator

Unit ApprenticeshipManager

First-Line Supervisor

Apprentices

Agency WFAPCoordinator

State Coordinator

Unit ApprenticeshipManager

First-Line Supervisor

Apprentices

(2) Agency WFAPCoordinator

(2) Regional Coordinator

Unit ApprenticeshipManager

First-Line Supervisor

Apprentices

Regional/State ApprenticeshipRegional/State ApprenticeshipCoordinator Roles and Coordinator Roles and

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities The Regional/State Apprenticeship Coordinator provides The Regional/State Apprenticeship Coordinator provides

oversight to and works directly with the Unit oversight to and works directly with the Unit Apprenticeship Manager on apprenticeship matters.Apprenticeship Manager on apprenticeship matters.

Responsible for conveying all information regarding Responsible for conveying all information regarding Regional/State Apprentices and regional issues to the Regional/State Apprentices and regional issues to the Agency National Apprenticeship Program Coordinator.Agency National Apprenticeship Program Coordinator.

Maintains knowledge and understanding of employment Maintains knowledge and understanding of employment processes and student employment authority as it processes and student employment authority as it applies to the apprenticeship programapplies to the apprenticeship program

Regional/State ApprenticeshipRegional/State ApprenticeshipCoordinator Roles and Coordinator Roles and

Responsibilities…Responsibilities…

Works with Program Sponsors toWorks with Program Sponsors to Provides advice and counsel to Provides advice and counsel to Unit Unit

Apprenticeship Manager andApprenticeship Manager and Agency Agency AdministratorsAdministrators

Assist in the development of Regional/State Assist in the development of Regional/State Apprenticeship processes associated with Apprenticeship processes associated with onboarding, progression, and completiononboarding, progression, and completion

Maintains knowledge and understanding of Maintains knowledge and understanding of mobility and other apprenticeship mobility and other apprenticeship agreementsagreements

Works directly with the Agency National Works directly with the Agency National CoordinatorCoordinator

Unit Apprenticeship Unit Apprenticeship ManagerManager

Initial point of contact for apprenticeship Initial point of contact for apprenticeship program questions from Apprentice Supervisor program questions from Apprentice Supervisor of Recordof Record

Coordinates progress with Supervisor of RecordCoordinates progress with Supervisor of Record

Maintains local records and training hoursMaintains local records and training hours

Reviews work process hours for correctness Reviews work process hours for correctness then forwards to Regional/State Coordinatorthen forwards to Regional/State Coordinator

Maintains knowledge and understanding of Maintains knowledge and understanding of mobility and other apprenticeship agreementsmobility and other apprenticeship agreements

Unit Manager Continued…..Unit Manager Continued…..

Ensures performance standards and IDPs are Ensures performance standards and IDPs are completedcompleted

Serves as a mentor/coach for assigned unit Serves as a mentor/coach for assigned unit apprenticesapprentices

Liaison between Regional/State Liaison between Regional/State Apprenticeship Coordinator, agency Apprenticeship Coordinator, agency administrator and local fire staffadministrator and local fire staff

Point of contact between Supervisor of Record Point of contact between Supervisor of Record and Regional/State Apprentice Coordinator and Regional/State Apprentice Coordinator

Unit Manager Continued…..Unit Manager Continued….. Maintains knowledge and understanding of Maintains knowledge and understanding of

employment processes and student employment processes and student employment authority as it applies to the employment authority as it applies to the apprenticeship programapprenticeship program

Notifies Regional/State Coordinator of Notifies Regional/State Coordinator of reasonable accommodation needs or reasonable accommodation needs or change of status of apprenticeschange of status of apprentices

Annually submits lost time accident report Annually submits lost time accident report to Regional/State Coordinator for forwarding to Regional/State Coordinator for forwarding to National Coordinator by January 20to National Coordinator by January 20thth

Forwards Work processes reports to the Forwards Work processes reports to the Regional/State Coordinator on a quarterly Regional/State Coordinator on a quarterly basis basis (Jan 30, March 30, June 30, Sept 30).(Jan 30, March 30, June 30, Sept 30).

Supervisor of RecordSupervisor of Record Serves as mentor/coach and first line supervisor of Serves as mentor/coach and first line supervisor of

apprenticesapprentices

Documents work process and training hours for Documents work process and training hours for apprentice and forwards the documentation to the apprentice and forwards the documentation to the Unit apprenticeship managerUnit apprenticeship manager

Coordinates apprentice progress with Unit ManagerCoordinates apprentice progress with Unit Manager

Completes performance standards, evaluations Completes performance standards, evaluations and Individual Develop Plans (IDP’s)and Individual Develop Plans (IDP’s)

Provides tutoring, daily technical supervision and Provides tutoring, daily technical supervision and on-the-job training on-the-job training

Supervisor of Record Supervisor of Record Continued……Continued……

Ensures varied and diverse work process Ensures varied and diverse work process experienceexperience

Maintains knowledge of mobility and other Maintains knowledge of mobility and other apprenticeship agreementsapprenticeship agreements

Ensures that the apprentice performs work Ensures that the apprentice performs work process hours under the guidance of a fully process hours under the guidance of a fully qualified journey personqualified journey person

Ensured apprentices have all uniform components Ensured apprentices have all uniform components and field equipment prior to academy attendanceand field equipment prior to academy attendance

Apprentice Maintain academic/physical fitness standardsMaintain academic/physical fitness standards Be prepared to pass all required courses per the Be prepared to pass all required courses per the

academic standardacademic standard Have fully successful performance while Have fully successful performance while

completing all work process areascompleting all work process areas Adhere to agency ethics and conduct policies & Adhere to agency ethics and conduct policies &

guidelinesguidelines Sign and abide by the mobility and Department of Sign and abide by the mobility and Department of

Labor Agreements (Agency Specific)Labor Agreements (Agency Specific)

Notify Unit Manager of any learning or physical Notify Unit Manager of any learning or physical disabilities that may require reasonable disabilities that may require reasonable accommodation to successfully complete program accommodation to successfully complete program goals and objectives 60 days prior to academy goals and objectives 60 days prior to academy attendanceattendance

Apprentice Continued……Apprentice Continued……

Possess & maintain a current State Drivers Possess & maintain a current State Drivers License, with appropriate agency required License, with appropriate agency required endorsements, at time of enrollment and endorsements, at time of enrollment and throughout the program.throughout the program.

Maintain an individual record of work experience, Maintain an individual record of work experience, on-the-job training, and supplemental technical on-the-job training, and supplemental technical training received.training received.

It is the Apprentice’s responsibility to submit It is the Apprentice’s responsibility to submit monthly work processes reports to the Unit monthly work processes reports to the Unit Apprenticeship Manager for the previous month, Apprenticeship Manager for the previous month, by the 10by the 10thth of each month. of each month.

Apprentice Program OutlineApprentice Program Outline

Apprentice Wage ScheduleApprentice Wage Schedule Apprentice may start at the GS-3, GS-4 or GS 5 level Apprentice may start at the GS-3, GS-4 or GS 5 level

depending on previous firefighter experience and education.depending on previous firefighter experience and education.

The Unit Manager/First Line Supervisor must complete a The Unit Manager/First Line Supervisor must complete a training plan identifying program objectives that must be met training plan identifying program objectives that must be met by the apprentice in order to move to the next wage level as by the apprentice in order to move to the next wage level as identified on the DOL Agreementidentified on the DOL Agreement..

The OPM Qualification Standards for Technical and Medical The OPM Qualification Standards for Technical and Medical Support Positions will be used for determining entry grade and Support Positions will be used for determining entry grade and promotions.promotions.

SampleSample Progression if hired at GS-3 level: Progression if hired at GS-3 level: GS-3 GS-3 GS-4 = 6 mo. specialized experience GS-4 = 6 mo. specialized experience

and satisfactory performance.and satisfactory performance.

Apprentice Wage ScheduleApprentice Wage Schedule

Promotions (GS3 to GS4):Promotions (GS3 to GS4): When all performance requirements are met as When all performance requirements are met as identified in apprentices training planidentified in apprentices training plan X-118 requirements must be metX-118 requirements must be met Training plan should allow completion of Training plan should allow completion of requirements/promotion within a 12 month periodrequirements/promotion within a 12 month period Depending on hiring authority, time in grade may be Depending on hiring authority, time in grade may be required required

Apprentice Wage ScheduleApprentice Wage Schedule Progression for program entry at the GS-05. Progression for program entry at the GS-05.

If hired at the GS-05 level, the apprentice may be placed If hired at the GS-05 level, the apprentice may be placed into a journeyworker level GS-05 position at the appropriate into a journeyworker level GS-05 position at the appropriate pay step immediately upon successful completion of pay step immediately upon successful completion of program requirements. program requirements.

Journeyworker level status - GS-05 Journeyworker level status - GS-05

(at appropriate step). (at appropriate step).

Note: Promotion to the GS-05 will be attained after Note: Promotion to the GS-05 will be attained after qualification requirements of the GS-04 (12 Months at the qualification requirements of the GS-04 (12 Months at the GS-04 Level) and journeyworker level requirements have GS-04 Level) and journeyworker level requirements have been met. been met.

*Regional direction may apply**Regional direction may apply*

Wage Schedule Cont.Wage Schedule Cont.

Probationary Periods are determined by the Office Probationary Periods are determined by the Office of Personnel Management for the specific hiring of Personnel Management for the specific hiring authority:authority: SCEP Apprentices will have a two year trial SCEP Apprentices will have a two year trial

periodperiod Merit Apprentices will have a one year Merit Apprentices will have a one year

probationary periodprobationary period

Within Grade Increases:Within Grade Increases: Waiting period is the same for SCEP and Merit Waiting period is the same for SCEP and Merit

ApprenticesApprentices When apprentice has performed at a successful When apprentice has performed at a successful

levellevel

Work Process Hours…Work Process Hours… The The Calculating Work Processes for Previous Calculating Work Processes for Previous

CreditCredit form will be used to determine form will be used to determine previous experience credit for each of the previous experience credit for each of the categories.categories.

This form will be forwarded to the National This form will be forwarded to the National Coordinator along with the DOL Agreement.Coordinator along with the DOL Agreement.

Prior to attending their Basic Academy, Prior to attending their Basic Academy, apprentices must complete a total of 500 apprentices must complete a total of 500 hours of work processes in work process hours of work processes in work process category two.category two.

Related Instruction OutlineRelated Instruction Outline

The Related Instruction Outline constitutes the course work The Related Instruction Outline constitutes the course work portion of the apprenticeship program. The Apprentice shall portion of the apprenticeship program. The Apprentice shall complete a minimum of 562 hours in Related Instruction. complete a minimum of 562 hours in Related Instruction. There are 5 components of Related Instruction: There are 5 components of Related Instruction:

Prerequisite Courses for Basic Academy (Orient. + Min 38-47.5 Prerequisite Courses for Basic Academy (Orient. + Min 38-47.5 hrs.) See Table 2 hrs.) See Table 2

Basic Academy Courses (Total of 160 hrs.) See Table 3 Basic Academy Courses (Total of 160 hrs.) See Table 3 Advanced Academy Courses (Total of 158 hrs.) See Table 4 Advanced Academy Courses (Total of 158 hrs.) See Table 4 Additional Required Courses (Minimum of 86 hrs.) See Table 5 Additional Required Courses (Minimum of 86 hrs.) See Table 5 Elective Courses/Exercises (Minimum of 120 hrs.) See Table 6 Elective Courses/Exercises (Minimum of 120 hrs.) See Table 6

Academy PrerequisitesAcademy Prerequisites(must be completed prior to attending Basic)(must be completed prior to attending Basic)

A total of at least 500 hours of OJL in work process category A total of at least 500 hours of OJL in work process category #2 – Fire Suppression / Preparedness & Fuels Management.#2 – Fire Suppression / Preparedness & Fuels Management.

S-130/190 Basic Firefighter/Intro to Wildland Fire BehaviorS-130/190 Basic Firefighter/Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior I-100 Orientation to ICS I-100 Orientation to ICS Agency specific New Employee Orientation Agency specific New Employee Orientation Completed Agreements (Training Plan or Mobility agreement Completed Agreements (Training Plan or Mobility agreement

& DOL)& DOL) Current work capacity test Current work capacity test Completed Basic Academy Student Information SheetCompleted Basic Academy Student Information Sheet Copy of valid State Driver’s LicenseCopy of valid State Driver’s License

Formal AcademiesFormal Academies

Basic Academy CurriculumBasic Academy Curriculum Academy OrientationAcademy Orientation S-190 Basic Fire Behavior S-190 Basic Fire Behavior

(Exam Only)(Exam Only) I-200 ICS Single resource/IA I-200 ICS Single resource/IA

IncidentsIncidents

Nutrition, Wellness & Nutrition, Wellness & Physical FitnessPhysical Fitness

Basic Fire PreventionBasic Fire Prevention S-260 Incident Business S-260 Incident Business

ManagementManagement L-280 Followership to L-280 Followership to

LeadershipLeadership S-131 Advanced FirefighterS-131 Advanced Firefighter

Wildland Fire SkillsWildland Fire Skills Map Reading and Map Reading and

Compass UseCompass Use Communications and Communications and

Radio UseRadio Use Fire Shelters and Fire Shelters and

Entrapment AvoidanceEntrapment Avoidance Weather ObservationsWeather Observations Handtool UseHandtool Use Tactical Decision Tactical Decision

Making - AARMaking - AAR

Advanced Academy Advanced Academy PrerequisitesPrerequisites

Completed Basic AcademyCompleted Basic Academy

Current Work Capacity Test Current Work Capacity Test (within previous 12 months)(within previous 12 months)

Completed Advanced Academy Student Completed Advanced Academy Student Information SheetInformation Sheet

Advanced Academy CurriculumAdvanced Academy Curriculum

Academy OrientationAcademy Orientation S-234 Ignition OperationsS-234 Ignition Operations S-270 Basic Air OperationsS-270 Basic Air Operations S-290 Intermediate Fire BehaviorS-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior L-380 Fireline LeadershipL-380 Fireline Leadership Fuels Management and Wildland Fire UseFuels Management and Wildland Fire Use Staff Ride & Fire Fatality Case StudiesStaff Ride & Fire Fatality Case Studies Physical FitnessPhysical Fitness Career/Personal DevelopmentCareer/Personal Development

Academic StandardsAcademic Standards Apprentices are required to pass all academy course Apprentices are required to pass all academy course

material at the 70% level. All tests are closed book material at the 70% level. All tests are closed book written tests.written tests.

If an apprentice fails an exam (with the exception of S-If an apprentice fails an exam (with the exception of S-190), they will be allowed to retake only once during the 190), they will be allowed to retake only once during the academy.academy.

Students who are absent for more than 25% of a course or Students who are absent for more than 25% of a course or for the course exam will receive a course incomplete and for the course exam will receive a course incomplete and will be required to make up the coursework in the formal will be required to make up the coursework in the formal academy setting.academy setting.

The Academy Coordinator will make the determination The Academy Coordinator will make the determination as to whether a student will receive a course incomplete.as to whether a student will receive a course incomplete.

Reasonable AccommodationsReasonable Accommodations An individual who is requesting reasonable accommodations An individual who is requesting reasonable accommodations

is responsible for providing written notification to their home is responsible for providing written notification to their home unit.unit.

This notification must include a description of the disability, This notification must include a description of the disability, documentation of the disability, and the requested mitigation documentation of the disability, and the requested mitigation for the disability.for the disability.

The Academy Coordinator must be notified at least The Academy Coordinator must be notified at least sixty days sixty days priorprior to the beginning of the Academy in order to determine if to the beginning of the Academy in order to determine if the request can be facilitated.the request can be facilitated.

The home unit Agency Administrator and Academy The home unit Agency Administrator and Academy Coordinator are responsible for following agency policy in Coordinator are responsible for following agency policy in consulting with the appropriate resources to identify, approve consulting with the appropriate resources to identify, approve or disapprove reasonable accommodation.or disapprove reasonable accommodation.

Physical Fitness RequirementsPhysical Fitness Requirements Apprentices must pass the Work Capacity Test at the Arduous Apprentices must pass the Work Capacity Test at the Arduous

level.level.

Apprentices are expected to arrive in good physical shape and Apprentices are expected to arrive in good physical shape and able to run 1.5 – 5 miles daily. Apprentices should use the able to run 1.5 – 5 miles daily. Apprentices should use the physical fitness guidelines found in the “Fit to Work” physical fitness guidelines found in the “Fit to Work” publication.publication.

Once at the academy, daily aerobic and physical fitness Once at the academy, daily aerobic and physical fitness training will be part of both residential academies.training will be part of both residential academies.

Individuals unable to fully participate in ALL academy Individuals unable to fully participate in ALL academy activities should plan on attending a later academy.activities should plan on attending a later academy.

Academy FacilitiesAcademy Facilities

Lodging is provided to students for the Lodging is provided to students for the duration of their assigned academy. Meals are duration of their assigned academy. Meals are provided Monday through Friday. provided Monday through Friday.

Students staying on the weekends are Students staying on the weekends are responsible for their own meals and will be responsible for their own meals and will be reimbursed M&IE allowances at the reimbursed M&IE allowances at the Sacramento area rate via travel voucher.Sacramento area rate via travel voucher.

Additional Required Courses:Additional Required Courses:(Provided by home unit)(Provided by home unit)

• S-211 Portable Pumps & Water UseS-211 Portable Pumps & Water Use• S-212 Wildfire Power Saws – level AS-212 Wildfire Power Saws – level A

• Aviation, choose one of the following:Aviation, choose one of the following:– S-271 Interagency Helicopter TrainingS-271 Interagency Helicopter Training– S-273 Seat ManagerS-273 Seat Manager– Completion of Smokejumper Rookie SchoolCompletion of Smokejumper Rookie School

Elective CoursesElective Courses(Minimum of 120 Hours)(Minimum of 120 Hours)

• Driver TrainingDriver Training• D-110 Dispatch RecorderD-110 Dispatch Recorder• Hazardous MaterialsHazardous Materials• Horsemanship SkillsHorsemanship Skills• Aircraft DispatcherAircraft Dispatcher• Wildland Fire DetectionWildland Fire Detection• P-151 Wildfire Origin and Cause Determination (FI-210 New Course)P-151 Wildfire Origin and Cause Determination (FI-210 New Course)• S-200 Initial Attack Incident CommanderS-200 Initial Attack Incident Commander• S-230 Single Resource Boss, Crew S-230 Single Resource Boss, Crew • S-231 Single Resource Boss, EngineS-231 Single Resource Boss, Engine• S-232 Single Resource Boss, DozerS-232 Single Resource Boss, Dozer• S-233 Single Resource Boss, Tractor/PlowS-233 Single Resource Boss, Tractor/Plow• S-244 Field ObserverS-244 Field Observer• S-245 Display ProcessorS-245 Display Processor• S-248 Status/Check-in RecorderS-248 Status/Check-in Recorder• S-336 Fire Suppression Tactics/Tactical Decision Making in Wildland S-336 Fire Suppression Tactics/Tactical Decision Making in Wildland

FireFire• Engine Operator Training (BLM Specific)Engine Operator Training (BLM Specific)For a complete list refer to Page 29 in the National StandardsFor a complete list refer to Page 29 in the National Standards

Credit for Previously Completed Credit for Previously Completed CoursesCourses

• An Apprentice is allowed credit for related An Apprentice is allowed credit for related instruction if they can provide proof that instruction if they can provide proof that they have successfully completed the they have successfully completed the training course(s) within the previous training course(s) within the previous three years from apprenticeship start date. three years from apprenticeship start date.

• Certificates/182’s/Class Rosters are Certificates/182’s/Class Rosters are required for proof of completion.required for proof of completion.

• Documents must be provided to the Documents must be provided to the National Coordinator.National Coordinator.

Conversion ProcessConversion Process

Home units request certification of program Home units request certification of program completion through their Regional/State completion through their Regional/State Coordinator who then forwards the request to Coordinator who then forwards the request to the National Coordinator.the National Coordinator.

Upon receipt of required documentation and Upon receipt of required documentation and records, the National Coordinator certifies records, the National Coordinator certifies program completion to the Department of Labor.program completion to the Department of Labor.

The Department of Labor issues the formal The Department of Labor issues the formal certificate of program completion for the certificate of program completion for the apprentice.apprentice.