BLM looking to hire veterans for fire management work
The Bureau of Land Management in Idaho announced Thursday that its fire management program is looking to hire 20 veterans to join the Idaho BLM fuels crew. The veterans will be organized into four five-member crews to be stationed in Boise, Burley, Pocatello and Coeur d’Alene. Government housing may be available in the Burley and Pocatello areas, officials said.
The veterans will be responsible for conducting fuels reduction projects and assisting in fire suppression activities as needed, according to a BLM news release.
Fuels reduction projects involve a variety of strategic vegetation treatments on public lands, such as the removal of vegetation to promote land health and the creation of fire breaks to assist firefighters in managing wildland fires. Fuels crew personnel are often involved in a variety of tasks -- and get to see some of the most beautiful and remote areas of Idaho, it stated.
“Idaho’s fuels management program is highly active, with an excellent track record of success,” said Idaho BLM State Director Steve Ellis. “The additional assistance of the veteran’s crew will significantly enhance our program by allowing us to continue accomplishing our goal of managing healthy lands and improving community safety from wildfire.”
Similar programs are currently in place in other states. Each veteran’s fuels position will be an appointment not to exceed 13 months, but it may be extended up to four years, BLM officials said. The work schedule will be what’s called “Long-Term Career Seasonal, “which means the length of each veteran’s assignment will be a minimum six months of full-time employment per year, with the possibility of longer assignments if funding, project work and weather permit.
The BLM Idaho fuels program implements a range of fuels reduction projects across the state. During the fire season of 2012, the program’s fuels reduction projects were critical in reducing wildland fire behavior and allowing firefighters to safely save homes, private property and natural resources.
If you qualify, you can apply for a veteran’s fuels crew position by visiting www.USAjobs.gov.
To learn more about the Idaho BLM fire program and other wildland firefighting positions, visit www.id.blm.gov.
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