Great Northern Fire Crew

Thank for for your continued interest in the Great Northern Fire Crew; we appreciate your initiative!

More about the Program, Our Objectives, and the Application Process

This program is aimed at providing training and enhancing the skills of all crewmembers. Training components will include classroom sessions, fieldwork and on the job training. Our training will stress such things as: firefighter safety, fire behavior, basic suppression strategies and tactics, crew organization and procedures, teamwork, leadership, communications, civil rights, respect and diversity in the work place, ethics and good conduct, attitudes and strategies for success in land management agencies, pride and professionalism.

Crew members are selected from a wide array of locations and backgrounds. Since we are hiring entry-level firefighters, knowledge, skills and abilities are not chief criteria for selection, but such things as leadership skills, attitude and desire for self-improvement play a critical role. Candidates are contacted often, and we make every effort to give them an accurate account of what they can expect to experience in the position, including the ugliest aspects of firefighting.

The mission and concept of our program, as well as our expectations of those filling the positions on the crew, are expressed to each person well in advance of the hiring of crew members. After the selection of the crew members, follow-up contacts are made on a regular basis prior to their reporting for duty.

If this program sounds like a perfect fit for you and your career goals, below is all the Application Information needed to be considered for a position on the crew. Beyond hiring new people, some of the overhead positions may be filled by "detailing" people into positions who are already within the fire organization from other programs and fire units.

By the way, what is an "overhead" position?

Overhead positions are those named Squad leaders, Foreman and Crew Supervisor.

And, what is a "detail"?

In many government agencies the term "detail" is used for a temporary position filled by someone who normally holds another position. The detail is usually a short term of weeks or months, or even a year, but it has a finite length of time that the person will fill that position.

The Application Processes

You may also feel free to contact us with any specific questions regarding either of the application processes.

Much has happened to delay the hiring process for us this season. We will remain flexible on this date and will make every attempt to contact interested applicants with any changes. As selections are made, we will also make every attempt to contact all people on our mailing list regarding the further availability of positions on the crew.

Eligible students are encouraged to apply using both of the application procedures (AVUE and STEP). This provides you with much more flexibility in being able to accept an offer of employment. Again, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need assistance in completing the application process.

AVUE Digital Services (ADS)

The ADS program is primarily an on-line application process, where the applicant develops a personal profile in the system. The applicant may use their profile to apply for a number of temporary seasonal positions for the U.S. Forest Service. The profile can be updated as appropriate, and again, used to apply to several different openings. See the instructions and process for full information and instructions.

There are deadlines associated with the 2010 Great Northern Fire Crew applications. Applications need to submitted by April 5, 2010.

We will not see any of the AVUE applications until we request what is called the referral list. A referral list will include all applicants that have met the minimum qualifications, that have included the information that is specific to the Great Northern Fire Crew and have done so prior to the request of the list.

If your AVUE application is not in the system prior to this date,
your application will not be considered.

See the Application Timeline and Fire Season page for more information.

The Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) is the other application system.

The following materials should be provided when applying for the STEP Program:

This is a program by which eligible students may be selected to work with the crew to gain valuable experience and become familiar with the U.S. Forest Service Fire Organizations. The information below should help you determine whether or not you are eligible for the program. We are currently accepting STEP applications and interested persons are encouraged to complete this process immediately as well.

STEP applications must be sent directly to our locations, and addressed as follows:

Great Northern Student Application
USFS-AFD
5765 W. Broadway
Missoula, MT 59808-9361

We wish you good fortune and success in the application and selection processes!

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Northern Region Fire Page

USDA Forest Service - Northern Region
Last Modified: Wednesday, 17 March 2010 at 15:59:54 EDT