S-372 has been added to NRTC schedule

 

S372 (Helicopter Manager) has been added to the NRTC schedule.  Class date will be April 5-9, 2021 - Virtual, and at present time limited to 30.  Please let Rick Moreno know if you would like to be nominated for this class by Dec. 14^th.

Thank you to the ones who have already responded.

2020 Federal Benefits Open Season Information

HRM: Federal Benefits Open Season is November 9 - December 14, 2020

Friday, November 6, 2020

Open Season occurs once a year. During Open Season, November 9 - December 14, you may enroll, change, or cancel your Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage. The following programs will be participating:

• Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB)
• Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
• Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS)

The table below describes the health benefit and helpful information.

Benefit	How to start, stop, or change your enrollment & available resources
	Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program: To stop or change your enrollment (choose only one method): Online through your Employee Personal Page (EPP) or submit a SF 2809 to Benefits. To start enrollment, please submit a SF 2809 to Benefits. For instructions, visit the HRM Benefits website (Section F) or contact the HRM Contact Center at 1-877-372-7248. For more information, go to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Plan Information and Premium websites. To compare plans, use the OPM Comparison Tool.
	Federal Employees’ Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP): To start, stop, or change your enrollment, use the BENEFEDS website or call 1-877-888-3337. For more information, go to the OPM Plan Information and Premium websites. To compare plans, use the OPM Comparison Tool or the BENEFEDS Comparison Tool.
	Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Enroll or continue on the FSAFEDS website or call 1-877-372-3337.

HRM Benefits & Retirement specialists are hosting four webinar sessions to provide an overview of what to do during Open Season. Details for these sessions will be shared in the near future.

Important facts

• FEHB and FEDVIP premiums change every year. Employees should be aware of this, and check the premiums of their plans every open season, to ensure they are enrolling in the plans that best suit their needs. OPM.gov

• If you are already enrolled in FEHB or FEDVIP plans, your enrollment will automatically continue. However, if you wish to either change or cancel your plan(s), then you must do so during Open Season.
• Eligible employees who want a FSAFEDS account in 2021 must enroll in FSAFEDS during Open Season. Current participants must re-enroll each year if they want to continue participation. Enrollments do not carry forward from year to year.
• Employees who are canceling their FEHB enrollment, the cancellation may affect your ability to meet the five year requirement for continuing FEHB into retirement.

Help is available

Open an HR Help case:

• Call: 1-877-372-7248, Press 2
• Email: hrm_contact_center@usda.gov
• Self-Service: ConnectHR > HR Help link

For detailed instructions, visit the HR Help How-to Add a Case Guide. 

Safety Boot Reimbursement Guidelines

 

1. Starting October 1^st, 2020 the new safety boot reimbursement amount has increased to $500.00 for three years. Also effective October 1^st, all eligible employees have access to the full $500 reimbursement stipend, regardless of when they were last issued a safety boots reimbursement.
2. You may submit multiple reimbursements for your three year period not to exceed $500.00 following the SBR guidelines.
3. If you submit a reimbursement, it must be approved first before submitting your next request. 

Please see chapter 40, from the Forest Service Handbook for further information. 

Missoula Smokejumper Raffle, Thursday 10/22 @ 7 PM on Zoom

 Missoula Smokejumper Welfare Fund Raffle

Proceeds will go towards assisting Isaac Karuzas and his daughter.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87519283196

Meeting ID: 875 1928 3196 

2020-2021 SW Zone and Northern Rockies Training Schedules: Responses needed by Wednesday, October 21!

Check your email for the schedule of classes that will be offered by the SW Montana Training Zone and the Northern Rockies Training Center. ALL CLASSES WILL BE CONDUCTED VIRTUALLY. We have a tight turnaround, so please fill out the "training form" (attached to the email) and return to Rick Moreno no later than Wednesday, October 21st. There is a list of pre-requisites provided for each class, so be sure you meet those if you request a class. 

If you have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to Rick, Jake or Dan. 

Email training forms to rick.moreno@usda.gov. no later than Wednesday, October 21.    

                                                      

 

OUTREACH NOTICE

 

GS-462-09

Supervisory Forestry Technician Smokejumper

Assistant Foreman

NTE 120 Day Temporary Promotion / Detail

 

Region 1 Forest Service, Fire Aviation & Air, will soon be filling a NTE 120 day temporary promotion/detail, for a Supervisory Forestry Technician Smokejumper (Assistant Foremean) position, GS-0462-09, at the Aerial Fire Depot in Missoula, Montana. 

This position serves as an Assistant manager for a national shared resource smokejumper program.    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.   The incumbent works directly for either an Operations, Loft, Loadmaster, Training, or Project Fuels  manager.

For more information about these positions, please contact Tory Kendrick, (406) 329-4942.   

If you are interested, please send a resume via email to Tory Kendrick, tory.kendrick@usda.gov by October 23, 2020.

Housing and per diem negotiable if selected candidate is from outside the commuting area.

 

                            

 

   OUTREACH NOTICE

 

GS-462-11

Supervisory Forestry Technician Smokejumper

Smokejumper Foreman

NTE 120 Day Temporary Promotion / Detail

 

 

Region 1 Forest Service will soon be filling a NTE 120 day temporary promotion/detail, for a Supervisory Forestry Technician Smokejumper (Foreman), GS-0462-11, position at the Aerial Fire Depot in Missoula, Montana. 

This position serves as Manager for a national shared resource smokejumper program.    The primary purpose of this position is to manage 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.   The incumbent works directly for either the Smokejumper Base Mananger or Assistant Base Manager.

For more information about these positions, please contact Tory Kendrick, (406) 329-4942.   

If you are interested, please send a resume via email to Tory Kendrick, tory.kendrick@usda.gov by October 23, 2020.

Housing and per diem negotiable if selected candidate is from outside the commuting area.