NPS Joins DOI Partners for Successful Interagency Fire and Aviation Hiring Events

A group of interested people explores information on a table at the NPS Fire and Aviation booth at the DOI Hiring Event in Northridge, CA 

P. Stevko, NPS

In November 2022, over two separate weekends, the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management came together for two large-scale in-person hiring events in Redding, CA and Northridge, CA.

The positions for wildland fire and aviation were focused on opportunities in California and southern Nevada. With over 200 positions available between all three bureaus, many of which were entry level, applications came in from all over the country. Attending the event in-person was not a requirement; these positions could also be applied for online through USA Jobs. Yet, over 300 candidates came in person to learn about the different bureaus and meet hiring officials, with individuals local to the area or coming from as far as Washington, Montana, and even North Carolina. Overall, approximately 400 people attended both events. Candidates brought their families, friends, kids, and others interested in learning more about wildland fire and aviation.

The ability to use the Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for these positions allowed the bureaus to receive and process applications, conduct reference checks, interview candidates, and make job offers in a fraction of the time it normally takes. This process was also very well received by the applicants with some sharing that this renewed their interest in federal careers because it added a human element to it – not just applying on a computer.

The interagency team at the Northridge, CA event. 

Mike Theune, NPS

“We are very excited to welcome these firefighters into our programs next year, “said Pacific West Regional Fire Management Officer Mike Minton. “The women and men hired through the direct hiring authority and these events will add to capacity of fire and aviation management in the western US.”

To date, the NPS has made selections on over 58 positions, a combination of both permanent and seasonal. Some hires will be starting early in the new year and others will start closer to late spring / early summer.

Looking ahead, the three bureaus will come together to review their experiences with the hiring events and look for any learning opportunities from this experience in hopes of having these events again. We are grateful to the communities and venues that hosted us and to all the fire personnel and HR expertise that made these events a success.