Non-Task Book Position Qualifications

For positions for which no task book exists, employees must meet established minimum standards listed in agency-specific manuals or guides prior to being awarded competencies. Per Chapter 2 of the Forest Service Fire and Aviation Qualifications Guide (FSFAQG), the Forest Qualifications Review Committee (FQRC) shall review and recommend to the Certifying Official an individual's certification and qualification, based on objective factors such as performance evaluations and visual observation of satisfactory performance of position duties.

Examples of non-task book positions include Aerial Observer (AOBS), Burned Area Emergency Response Specialist (BAES), Driver (DRIV). For Resource Advisor (READ/REAF) positions, please refer to the Resource Advisor (READ/REAF) page. 

To determine which positions require a task book, refer to the FSFAQG and Federal Wildland Fire Qualifications Supplement (Federal Supplement). The Federal Supplement includes many federal agency-sponsored positions not included in the FSFAQG. 

The employees is responsible for submitting non-position task book position requests. Both trainee and qualification related requests must be submitted on a Position Task Book / Qualification Request Form (Exhibit A).

Procedures:

1. Download and complete a Position Task Book / Qualification Request Form (Exhibit A). See Documents section below. 

2. Complete the form in its entirety, inlcuding the Non-Position Task Book Position section, and document all required approvals. 

3. Route to the Forest Training Officer for processing within the primary timeframe: January 1 - June 1.

Important note: 

• Requests for trainee non-position task book positions will be processed in the same manner as a Position Task Book initiation request and do not require FQRC review. Requests and actions occurring outside of the primary timeframe will be considered off cycle, will be exception based, and will require detailed justification and Certifying Official approval.

• For qualification requests requiring FQRC review, documentation must be submitted to the Forest Training Officer five business days in advance of a scheduled FQRC meeting. Documentation received outside of the stated timeframe will be held for the next regularly scheduled FQRC meeting.