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Time Unit Leader*

TIME decorative banner: photos depicting TIME position. TIME Position Description: The Time Unit Leader (TIME) is responsible for recording personnel time and managing the commissary operation.

The Time Unit Leader (TIME) is responsible for ensuring personnel time is recorded according to National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) guidelines and agency policy. The TIME supervises the Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC) and reports to the Finance/Administration Section Chief (FSC). The TIME works in the Finance/Administration functional area.

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Finance/Administration Section Chief (FSC3) Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC) Time Unit Leader (TIME) Cost Unit Leader (COST) Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP) Incident Contract Project Inspector (ICPI) Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR) Procurement Unit Leader (PROC) Incident Business Advisor (INBA) Finance/Administration Section Chief (FSCC)

 

The Forest Service and Department of Interior are enabled by Administratively Determined Pay Plans (AD Pay Plans) to hire persons for temporary duration for the following reasons:

  1. To cope with a sudden and unexpected emergency caused by a fire, or extreme fire potential, flood, storm, or any other all-hazard emergency that threatens damage to federally protected property, has the potential to cause loss of life, serious injury, public health risk, or damage to natural or cultural resources unless brought under immediate control.
  2. To provide emergency assistance to states under formalized agreements.
  3. To meet mission assignments issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Incident Business Committee (IBC) reviews positions annually and establishes pay rate classifications for each position.

For more information on the AD Pay Plans, visit Incident Business Committee.

Date: Jan 2026

Added:

  • Procurement Unit Leader (PROC) to “These Positions Maintain Currency for TIME”

Other Training Which Supports Development of Knowledge and Skills

  • S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams

Removed:

  • Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 1 (FSC1) and Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 2 (FSC2) removed from “These Positions Maintain Currency for TIME”
  • FSC2 removed from “TIME Maintains Currency for These Positions”
Date: Jul 2025

Added: 

  • NWCG Position Task Book for Time Unit Leader (TIME), PMS 311-126
    • Replaces NWCG Time Unit Leader Position Task Book, PMS 311-47
  • NWCG Incident Position Standards for Time Unit Leader, PMS 350-126
Date: Jan 2023

Added:

  • Finance/Administration Section Chief Complex (FSCC) to "These Positions Maintain Currency For TIME."
  • Finance/Administration Section Chief Complex (FSCC) to "TIME Maintains Currency For These Positions."
Date: Jan 2020

Added: Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.

Date: Oct 2019

Added: to Qualification Requirements:  Note: Once qualified as a TIME, the FSC3 qualification may be granted by the certifying official. Certification must be documented on a “verification/certification” page of the FSC3 Position Task Book (311-50).

Date: Oct 1984

Position created.

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Primary Committee: Incident Business Committee
Steward: Incident Business Committee


Last Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

New Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

Date:  April 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: National Coordination System Committee

A new publication from the National Coordination System Committee (NCSC) is now available. The NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249, will be used for aviation crews and dispatch to share flight information that is needed for resource tracking, and if needed, for emergency procedures.

For further details, please contact your NCSC representative. 

References:

NCSC Memo 26-01: Implementation of NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

New Glossary Term for Review

Date:  April 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB)

The Data Standards and Terminology Board is requesting feedback on a new glossary term: Resource Protection Measure (RPM).

The proposed definition is: Practical guidance provided for incident personnel in a manner in which incident objectives can be achieved while reducing impacts to identified resources across the landscape. RPMs are informed by, but not restricted to, Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics (MIST).

Please review, share with your subgroups, and provide feedback as appropriate through the following form: Request Feedback The comment period will close May 10, 2026.

Thank you for your engagement in the NWCG glossary process – your participation is key to our success.

References:

Glossary Request Feedback

Quarter Three Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Quarter Three materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

Quarter Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

WFSTAR 2026 Core Components Module Package and 2025 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date:  March 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Joe Schindel

The 2026 Core Components Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2025 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2026 Core Components Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2026 Core Components Module Package

2025 Fire Year in Review Module