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1. Employment Status. You are on a
temporary appointment which is subject to a time limitation of either paid days or
hours. This applies to all seasonal jobs in all the occupational groups which are
recruited for.
2. Tours of Duty.
The normal
tour of duty is eight hours per day, five days per week, Monday through Friday. In
the Division of Fire and Aviation Management during part of the season we will be on 7 day
work weeks and you may be given a schedule which has you working on Saturdays and/or
Sundays. You will be advised by your supervisor what your schedule will be.
3. Physical Requirements.
(The following
information applies to jobs in the Division of Fire and Aviation Management only) You
will be required to satisfactorily complete a physical, which the BLM will pay for.
SF-78, Certificate of Medical Examination is used for this purpose. This form will
be furnished to you prior to your reporting for duty. A medical examination is not
required if there is one, no more than 3 years old on file from any previous seasonal
Federal employment unless your current physical condition indicates a need for a new
medical examination, the duties you are assigned require higher physical abilities than
the previous position, or there has been a break in service of more than one year since
the last medical form was executed. It is imperative that you have the required
physical and send the completed form to the BLM State Personnel Officer, Nevada State
Office, Reno (an envelope is provided with the form) as quickly as possible, as you cannot
be given a start date until the physical form is received and approved by the BLM State
Personnel Officer.
If you are assigned fireline duties or are required to
fight fire in an emergency situation, you will be required to take and pass the pack test
as part of your physical requirements. The pack test consists of carrying a 45 pound
backpack 3 miles in 45 minutes or less, or an alternative test of running 1 1/2 miles in
11 minutes 40 seconds or less. You will have to pass this test within the first five
days you are on the job; this is not the time to get in shape! You
must be in shape when you arrive, therefore, we recommend that you begin preparing
yourself now. Studies have shown it takes 6-8 weeks of conditioning if you have not
maintained a good aerobic fitness condition. We suggest you check with your personal
physician when you take your physical examination, before you begin a strenuous aerobic
conditioning program. If you cannot pass this test by the end of the first week of
employment, you will be terminated or assigned to a non-arduous position, if such a
position is available.
The Hotshot Crews in this Field Office have the toughest
physical standards because the work is considered the most arduous and rigorous. The
Hotshot Crews will do both the pack test and the 1.5 mile run, as well as: 40
sit-ups in 60
seconds, 25 pushups in 60 seconds, and pull-ups according to their weight as follows:
7 for those who weigh less than 110 lbs.,
6 for those who weigh between 110-135 lbs.,
5 for those who weigh between 135-170 lbs.,
4 for those who weigh more than 170 lbs.
All seasonal positions in the Division of
Fire and Aviation Management are "testing designated positions" and require a
drug test (urine) before a final offer of employment is made. In addition to
applicant testing, you may also be subject to accident, reasonable suspicion, follow-up
and random testing in accordance with the Department of Interior's Drug-Free Workplace
Program.
4. Salary.
Your rate of pay will be based on the
first step rate of the grade of the job you are hired for. Your pay rate is
determined based upon your qualifications and the availability of various jobs at GS2
through GS5 and WG2 through WG9.
5. Leave. During your employment you are eligible
to earn both sick and annual leave. All leave must be approved in advance by your
supervisor unless it is of an emergency nature.
a. Annual leave. Only employees whose appointments
are scheduled for 90 days or more earn annual leave. This leave is based on your
total years of creditable civilian and military service which determines the leave
category you will be placed in, i.e. Category 4, less than three years creditable service,
4 hours earned each pay period; Category 6, three to 15 years creditable service, 6 hours
earned each pay period, and Category 8, 15 years or more of creditable service, 8 hours
earned each pay period. You will be paid a lump sum for all annual leave you have
accumulated and not used at time of separation.
b. Sick leave. All employees earn four hours
of sick leave each pay period. You must have leave to your credit before you can use
it and be paid for it. You are not paid for unused sick leave at time of your
separation. If you return to Federal service, your unused sick leave is re-credited
to your new appointment. Sick leave is available for your use when you are
physically incapacitated from your job or when you need to be absent for dental, optical,
or medical examination or treatment. You must notify your supervisor as soon as
possible on the first day of your absence of your availability to report to work.
Failure to do so may result in a charge to absence without leave.
6. Pay. The regular payday is bi-weekly on Thursday
following the end of the pay period. Depending on your hire date you may not receive
your first pay check until you have worked three to four weeks, thereafter, you will
receive your pay check every two weeks. Direct Deposit of your pay is a condition of
employment. This means you will be required to have your pay sent electronically to
a bank or savings and loan of your choice. No hard copy checks will be issued.
7. Leave Without Pay. If you desire you may request
leave without pay in lieu of using annual leave or sick leave. This leave is subject
to your supervisor's approval. Failure to obtain advance approval may result in a
charge to absence without leave (AWOL).
8. Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB).
The
type of appointment you have does not permit coverage under FEHB.
9. Federal Employee's Group Life Insurance Benefits
(FEGLI). Coverage under this program is not allowed for your type of appointment.
10. Social Security. Deductions will be held from
each pay check for coverage under Social Security Retirement (FICA).
11. Income Tax Deductions.
Deductions are made for
Federal Income Tax unless you can claim exemption from withholding. Read the
instructions on the Form-W4 carefully to see if you qualify for this exemption.
12. Equal Employment Opportunity. It is the policy
of the Federal Government that there shall be no discrimination based on such factors as
race, creed or religion, color, national origin, political
affiliation, physical handicap,
sex, age, union membership, or non-membership, and similar matters not related to merit
and fitness.
13. Personal Appearance/Conduct As an employee of
the Bureau of Land Management, you are expected to maintain a mature and professional
appearance that reflects the needs of the Bureau in gaining public acceptance and support
for our programs. Hair length (and facial hair for men) must be worn in a manner
that will not be a safety hazard when using equipment. You are expected to conduct
yourself in a mature and professional manner while dealing with both the public and
co-workers.
14. Safety. Safety responsibilities and duties must
be taken as seriously as all other assignments. Safety is an inherent part of an
efficient, professional organization. People who work safely accomplish more, with
better quality than do careless people.
All supervisors are responsible for providing you a safe
working environment. Your supervisor is required to provide protective equipment
(except footwear) and safety training. When you have questions concerning the proper
safety procedures for a work assignment you should discuss these questions with your
supervisor. Examples of training provided by the Bureau include: defensive driving
instruction for motor vehicle operators, first aid training for field personnel,
specialized training in the use of band and power tools as needed. Other specialized
training will be provided for work around heavy equipment or aircraft.
You, as an employee, are responsible for performing your
job in a safe and efficient manner, complying with all applicable safety rules. You
are required to use Bureau furnished safety equipment (except footwear) while working in
potentially hazardous environments. This includes the mandatory use of a seat belt
at all times while in a motor vehicle. Employees who continue to ignore safety
instructions are subject to official reprimands or termination.
15. Injuries.
Injuries which occur on the job, are
covered by the Office of Workers' Compensation Program, which is administered by the
Department of Labor. You must report all injuries, no matter how insignificant they
may seem, to your supervisor. Your supervisor will see that medical attention is
provided, if required.
16. Responsibilities and Conduct-General.
Employees
are expected to maintain high standards of honesty, integrity, impartiality, and conduct
to ensure the proper performance of Government business and the continual trust and
confidence of citizens in their Government. Employees are expected to comply with all
Federal statutes, Office of Personnel Management regulations and Department
regulations. The conduct of employees should reflect the qualities of courtesy,
consideration, loyalty to the United States, a deep sense of responsibility for the public
trust, promptness in dealing with and serving the public and a standard of personal
behavior which will be a credit to the individual. These principles apply to official
conduct and to private conduct which affects in any way the ability of the employee or the
Department to effectively accomplish the work of the Department.
Additional ethical conduct and employee responsibility
issues relating to:
(a) soliciting or accepting gifts
(b) voluntary donations
(c) Soliciting contributions
(d) accepting gifts from foreign governments
(e) misuse of Government vehicles
(f) misuse of Government aircraft
(g) indebtedness
(h) selling or soliciting for personal gain
(i) gambling
(j) endorsements of products
(k) habitual use of intoxicants
(1) prohibited use of franked envelopes and official
stationary
(m) fraud and false statements in Government matters
(n) embezzlement of Government property
(o) use of official title
(p) carrying of weapons
will be addressed individually during employee orientation
sessions conducted after hire.
These prohibited practices are clarified in the Federal
Register, Part IV, dated December 23, 1976, a copy of which will be given to you in your
orientation folder on your first day of work.
17. Resignation or Termination of Appointment. If
you know ahead of time you intend to resign, let your supervisor know. It is customary to
advise them in writing, two weeks in advance of your leaving. This allows them time to
plan the work with the resources available.
You will need to complete several forms in order to resign
or be terminated, we will need a forwarding address so your final checks and your W-2 will
reach you promptly.
18. Performance Evaluation. Every temporary
employee's performance will be evaluated in writing by their supervisor, if they work at
least 60 calendar days.
MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATION
If your assigned duties include the operation of a motor
vehicle while on the job, the BLM is required to provide you with a safe vehicle and train
you in its operation. Before being given authorization to operate government motor
vehicles, you must have a valid state driver's license and complete the required paperwork
for authorization. You may also attend a defensive driving course and you will
receive any specialized training necessary for the safe and effective operation of these
vehicles.
When your supervisor assigns you the responsibility of
operating a motor vehicle you must remember that you are being paid to perform this duty
in a safe, efficient manner. At all times safety takes precedence over expediency,
short cuts and deadlines. No job is so important that it cannot be safely
accomplished.
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