Monday, December 11, 2017

Operations Foreman PFT and Assistant Base Manager NTE Vacancies

Missoula is flying two jobs.  There are 2 announcements.  One is a PFT for the Operation Foreman position.  The second is a 1 year NTE for the Assistant Base Manager. 
·         
       Announcement Numbers: 18-FIRE-R1-414183G-LH and 18-FIRE-R1-414160FS-LH
USAJOBS Control Numbers: 485355100 and 485474500
Vacancy Open Date: 30-Nov-2017

Vacancy Close Date: 21-Dec-2017

Thursday, December 7, 2017

2018 Project Fuels List and Spring R-8 Schedule

After a recent conference call with R-8 it sounds like the 1st R-1 module will tentatively leave around the 17th of January. We are anticipating a busy R-8 burn season as their target for FY18 has been increased 1.3 million acres, this up from 940,000 acres for FY17. Below is the 2018 project fuels list and don't be to concerned if you drew low the list for many of us are busy with other commitments and may not be available to go. The assignments will be the traditional 21 days with travel included in that. If you have any questions please contact Cottrell or Rohrbach.




Monday, November 20, 2017

AERIAL FIRE DEPOT PING PONG TOURNAMENT!!!

The HELP Committee Presents:


The first annual AFD Ping Pong Tournament 






   Doubles Tournament
     Grab a partner and sign up by Friday,  
     December 1st in the Business Office

Games start Dec 4 with
Final four teams competing at Holiday Party on Dec 12 



For all questions, please see Stacy Cramer in the Business Office

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

R1 Fire Hire Vacancy Announcements

Vacancy announcements for smokejumper positions to be filled during R1 Fire Hire are live on USA Jobs.  These will be open from November 1 to November 15.  As always, please read the announcement and requirements carefully to ensure you include all necessary documentation.  Also, each announcement is being used by all FS bases so make sure you pick the locations in which you are interested.  The announcement numbers are:


  • Smokejumper (GS-5/6)                           
    • 18-FIRESPRING-SMKJMPR-5/6 FS/DP 
  • Smokejumper Squad Leader (GS-7)       
    • 18-FIRESPRING-SMKJMPR-7G 
  • Smokejumper Spotter (GS-7/8)              
    • 18-FIRESPRING-SMKJMPR-7/8G  
  • Smokejumper Asst. Manager (GS-8/9)  
    • 18-FIRESPRING-SMKJMPR-8/9G

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

JAMES FRANCIS RETIREMENT PARTY

JAMES FRANCIS (MSO 88) is retiring.  We hope to see a good turn out to send him off in style at the Union Club on Saturday 10/28 @ 7pm.  SEE YOU THERE!!!!

Missoula Class of 88


Monday, October 23, 2017

Shane Ewing Scholarship Applications Due on January 1st 2018 
The Missoula Smokejumper Welfare Fund is awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving individual.  The deadline for applications is on January 1st 2018, the scholarship will be awarded before February 1st 2018.

Requirements to Apply for the Scholarship

-Must be a current or former smokejumper or have a direct family relation to a current or former smokejumper (spouse or children).

-Must be used for educational purposes.  Proof of education is required.  (College or University)

How to Apply

-
Write a one page essay covering the two topics below.

        1.  How has the smokejumping program impacted your life.

        2.  What type of education are you pursuing and how are you going to put that education to use.



Please Email your essays to apferruzzi1@yahoo.com or give to MSO Welfare Fund.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Red Card Committee Meeting

There will be a Red Card Committee meeting on October 25th.  Get your completed taskbooks to Training ASAP!

GS-6 Temporary (1039) Jobs Open for 1 Week

The job announcement for GS-6 Temporary smokejumper jobs in Missoula is open today.  Go to USAJobs for more info and search for vacancy announcement number 18-TEMPF-R1-SKJP-S6DT-JN.  The announcement opens today (10/17/17) and closes next Monday (10/23/17) so get your applications in!

Thursday, October 12, 2017

AgLearn Season

It's AgLearn season.  Please access your AgLearn profile and complete any training that is due or overdue.  Overcoming Unconscious BiasUSDA Records Management and USDA Travel Charge Card Traing were due recently.  Security Awareness is due 1/3/18.  All should be showing in your profile except for Travel Charge Card Training, which you must search for to complete.  Travel cards may become inactive if the training isn't completed asap. 

Friday, September 22, 2017

Schedule Change 10/1/17

As of pay period 20, October 1, 2017 our tour of duty will change to the normal winter maxi-flex schedule, Monday through Friday 0730-1600. Any time charged to SJ needs to be approved by a foreman for a specific project. Opportunities for fuels BLM projects, talk to Cottrell for availability.

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Red Card Committee 8/16/17

There is going to be a Red Card Committee on the 16th of August. If submitting a Taskbook, be sure to have it filled out properly by including;
The dates and duration you were a trainee, the Incident Number, a signature from the trainer, and include any supporting documentation that will help support your Taskbook  (Performance evaluations and letters of recommendation).

Friday, June 23, 2017

UPDATED***Seven Day Coverage***

The switch to seven day coverage will occur Sunday, July 2nd, 2017.

Fri./Sat. folks will have Saturday, July 1st and Tuesday July 4th off for the holiday,

Sun./Mon. folks will have a four day weekend, Saturday, July 1st - Tuesday, July 4th.

Also switching to 0930 to 1800 schedule.


Tuesday, June 6, 2017

A loss to the jumper community

We'd like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of Joey Maggio, former Redding jumper who's life was cut short.

A page has been established for those who may want to express their remembrances. There is also a fund set up to help care for Joey's two young daughters. Please visit it at :

https://www.gofundme.com/3vn76n4


Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Detail Opportunity- Missoula Smokejumper Operations Foreman




                      
   OUTREACH NOTICE

GS-462-10/11
Supervisory Forestry Technician Smokejumper
Operations Foreman
Temporary Promotion / Detail


Region 1 Forest Service will soon fill a NTE 120 day temporary promotion/detail for the Smokejumper Operations Foreman position at the Aerial Fire Depot in Missoula, Montana. 
The Operations Foreman’s primary purpose is to oversee all aspects of Smokejumper Operations for the Missoula Smokejumper Base.  This includes serving as the technical expert for Smokejumper operations and is the main contact between the smokejumper group and land managers who utilize the group's services.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please send a resume via email to Tory Kendrick, tkendrick@fs.fed.us  by June 2, 2017.
This is a primary/rigorous firefighter positions under the provisions of 5 USC 83369(c) CSRS and 8412(d) FERS. 

DUTY STATION SPECIFICS:  Northern Region, Forest Service, Fire & Aviation Management located at the Aerial Fire Depot, Missoula, MT.  The Aerial Fire Depot (AFD) is responsible for interagency wildfire suppression, emergency and disaster coordination to several states and Federal agencies in the Northern Rocky Mountains. 


THE COMMUNITY:  Missoula, Montana draws people from diverse backgrounds. Missoula is nestled in the Rocky Mountains of western Montana. This scenic city is bustling with activity, as western Montana's regional source for business, culture, medical services, retail, and entertainment. There are endless opportunities for fishing, thousands of miles of trails, and plenty of guides and shops to clue you in on the hot spots. With an area population of more than 70,000, Missoula has what you'd expect to find in a big city--a wide range of hotels, restaurants, shops and galleries, several museums, a ballet company, live theater and a symphony. It's also home to The University of Montana, laid-back coffee houses, historic bars and cozy bookstores. As a natural outdoor playground it's unparalleled, and yet Missoula is one of the most dynamic cultural centers in the Northwest.  Missoula is a major retail and medical hub in Western Montana and claims one of the nation's highest doctor to patient ratios.  A wide variety of specialty, discount, and budget shopping centers make Missoula the retail hub for an estimated 200-mile radius.  The Missoula school system is considered excellent with three public and two private high schools, numerous elementary schools, a College of Technology and the University of Montana. 

Missoula serves a trade area in excess of 300,000 and therefore, has more amenities and services than most cities of its size.  The foundations of Missoula's economic base are wood and paper products, Federal Government, motor carriers and the University.  There is a great diversity of neighborhoods and residential settings within the community and surrounding area ranging from urban to very rural. 

There are an abundance of recreation facilities and opportunities located in and around the Missoula area.  These include:  public golf courses, parks, tennis courts, swimming pools, health clubs, racquetball courts, YMCA, softball diamonds, hiking trails, ice skating rink.  There are many rivers in the area for rafting, fishing and swimming.  Snowbowl ski area is less than an hour's drive from town and within a two-hour drive are Discovery, Lost Trail and Lookout Pass.  Also close to Missoula are numerous cross country ski trails, and snowmobile trails.

Missoula has two large hospitals, which provide a full array of inpatient and outpatient services.  Missoula has many other health care practitioners to offer.

Missoula residents enjoy all four seasons of the year.  The elevation is 3,205, with an average annual temperature of 45 F, with a January daily minimum of 15.5 F. and July daily maximum of 83.4 F.  The growing season averages 137 days, an average mean rainfall of 13.5 inches, and an average mean snowfall of 42.5 inches.

Montana has personal income tax and property tax, but NO sales tax.

Additional Information:  If you would like additional information about the city of Missoula, you can contact the Missoula Chamber of Commerce at (406) 543-6623.  Extensive additional information on the Missoula area can be found on the internet at http://www.missoula.com

CONTACT INFO:    For more information about these positions, please contact Tory Kendrick, (406) 329-4942,  tkendrick@fs.fed.us .

New Missoula Base Manager

Congratulations to Tory Kendrick who has accepted the Missoula Smokejumper Base Manager position!

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Red Card Committee Meeting

A red card committee meeting is scheduled for June 2nd.  Get your completed taskbooks to training ASAP!

Friday, May 5, 2017

May 2017 Temporary Promotions

120 Day Promotions to the GS-8 Smokejumper Squadleader Position have been awarded to Matt Mahe  and Isaac Karuzas. 

120 day Promotions to the GS 7 Smokejumper Squadleader Position have been awarded to Brendan Quinn and Sam Bullington. 

Congratulations to each of these individuals and many thanks to all who applied.

Monday, April 17, 2017

Smokejumper Trails Program Community Fundraiser @ Kettlehouse-Northside

Come support the National Smokejumper Association's Trails Program at Kettlehouse-Northside, Wednesday, April 19, 5-8 pm.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

ETS2 Travel Authorizations and Vouchers

Some settings for us have changed in ETS2.  Several routing lists for approval that were in common use no longer exist.  As a result, it is possible that the next time you submit a travel document, it will appear to be submitted, but in reality will not go to anyone on the approval list   Everyone needs to go into their personal settings and and change their routing list to "0152 SMJ FOREMEN".  Any questions, give a call...

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Promotions and New Hire

Jesse Myers recently accepted a job as AFMO on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF.  As a result, several positions were hired to fill his absence and the resulting trickle down.  Drew Pattison accepted a GS-8 Spotter position, Sam Cox accepted a GS-7 Squadleader position and Tyson Lucier accepted a GS-6  Smokejumper position.  Once again, thank you to the many great applicants for these jobs and congratulations to all those who accepted new positions!

Monday, March 13, 2017

Detail/Temporary Promotion Opportunities in Missoula- summer 2017




OUTREACH NOTICE
Details/Temporary Promotions
Forestry Technician Smokejumper Positions

GS-462-07:  Squad Leader
GS-462-07/08:  Spotter
GS-462-09:  Assistant Foreman



Region 1 Forest Service, Fire Aviation & Air, will soon fill NTE 120 day temporary promotions/details for Smokejumper positions, at the Aerial Fire Depot (AFD), in Missoula, Montana. 

GS-0462-07, Squad Leader: The primary purpose is to parachute into rugged terrain and suppress wildfires and serve as a team leader over smokejumper operations as well as perform other fire support functions. 
GS-0462-07/08, Spotter: The primary purpose is to direct an aerial attack and delivery operation involving smokejumpers, cargo, retardant, and helicopters.
GS-0462-09, Assistant Foreman: The primary purpose of this position is to assist in managing the activities of the Smokejumper Group and to provide the Forest Service’s highest level of technical expertise in the field of smokejumping operations, loft, loadmaster, training, and prescribed fire.  
If you are interested in one of these positions, please send a resume via email to Dan Cottrell, decottrell@fs.fed.us  by April 10, 2017.
These are  primary/rigorous firefighter positions under the provisions of 5 USC 83369(c) CSRS and 8412(d) FERS.