These positions are located in the Eastern Region, Region 9, Superior National Forest, as part of the Fire, Aviation Management Staff in Ely, Minnesota. Primary duty of the position is to perform as pilot in command of light single engine aircraft DHC-2 Beaver configured for land or sea equipment performing wildfire suppression which includes but is not limited to low level air tanker drops on fires, air attack group supervisor over on-going fires, providing airborne fire intelligence and ground crew direction. The work also involves operating light single engine aircraft configured with land, sea, or ski equipment under visual and instrument weather conditions, to perform secondary duties such as wildfire detection, transportation of fire crews, to and from fires, aerial seeding, wildlife surveys, fish stocking, aerial photography, insect and disease surveys, providing air support for law enforcement, medical and injured person evacuation, transportation of work crews and management personnel, maintaining currency, and being cognizant of aviation industry practices and methods. The Eastern Region has a well-established and growing aviation program with a goal of providing safe and efficient aviation services to meet a wide variety of US Forest Service fire and conservation mission needs within the Eastern region.
For additional information about the duties of the position, please contact Nick Hough at 414-297-3165 or e-mail at georgenhough@fs.fed.us
These positions are being concurrently announced under Merit Promotion Announcement Number 18-FIRE-R9-405520G-PRC. Current or former Federal employees may apply to both announcements, but should be sure to apply to the Merit Promotion Announcement in order to avoid losing consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement. Disabled veterans, candidates with 3 or more years of active duty military service, and candidates eligible for special hiring authorities may apply to the Merit Promotion Announcement if they meet the criteria outlined in the announcement and submit supporting documentation.
The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.
Summary
These positions are located in the Eastern Region, Region 9, Superior National Forest, as part of the Fire, Aviation Management Staff in Ely, Minnesota. Primary duty of the position is to perform as pilot in command of light single engine aircraft DHC-2 Beaver configured for land or sea equipment performing wildfire suppression which includes but is not limited to low level air tanker drops on fires, air attack group supervisor over on-going fires, providing airborne fire intelligence and ground crew direction. The work also involves operating light single engine aircraft configured with land, sea, or ski equipment under visual and instrument weather conditions, to perform secondary duties such as wildfire detection, transportation of fire crews, to and from fires, aerial seeding, wildlife surveys, fish stocking, aerial photography, insect and disease surveys, providing air support for law enforcement, medical and injured person evacuation, transportation of work crews and management personnel, maintaining currency, and being cognizant of aviation industry practices and methods. The Eastern Region has a well-established and growing aviation program with a goal of providing safe and efficient aviation services to meet a wide variety of US Forest Service fire and conservation mission needs within the Eastern region.
For additional information about the duties of the position, please contact Nick Hough at 414-297-3165 or e-mail at georgenhough@fs.fed.us
These positions are being concurrently announced under Merit Promotion Announcement Number 18-FIRE-R9-405520G-PRC. Current or former Federal employees may apply to both announcements, but should be sure to apply to the Merit Promotion Announcement in order to avoid losing consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement. Disabled veterans, candidates with 3 or more years of active duty military service, and candidates eligible for special hiring authorities may apply to the Merit Promotion Announcement if they meet the criteria outlined in the announcement and submit supporting documentation.
The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.
25% or less - Overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire related assignments.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. Additional relocation benefits are not available.
Serves as pilot-in-command in a DHC-2 single engine land/water, in unfavorable terrain such as austere and back country forests, during daytime, involving water and frozen lake landings. The purpose for these operations may cover but are not limited to, air transport of agency personnel and cargo, aerial supervision, aerial fire suppression and conservation work.
Performs preflight checks of aircraft and related equipment, plans extended flights by evaluating weather conditions at the point of departure, at points along the route, and at the destination.
Serves as a technical advisor to the Regional Aviation Officer, Regional Aviation Safety Officer and DHC-2 Supervisory Pilot. As a subject matter expert of DHC-2 operations the coordination would involve single light fixed-wing aircraft activities (WCF and contract) used by the agency for project and fire management work.
Maintains currency and proficiency in assigned aircraft in order to perform missions as assigned.
Maintains current and valid qualifications as a FAA Certified Flight Instructor in airplanes.
Services aircraft with fuel and oil maintains aircraft and maintains accurate flight and aircraft logs.
Maintains pilot training documentation.
Gathers information, identifies and analyzes issues, and develops recommendations to resolve complex aviation organizational problems. Coordinates and instructs a variety of aviation awareness and training programs, under classroom conditions, at the forest and regional level.
Provides technical advice regarding airplane contracts and contract pilots; serves as a technical leader, participates in aviation contract development.
Schedules and performs standard functional tests on DHC-2 aircraft to determine whether aircraft systems are operating correctly.
Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical capabilities and other duties as assigned.
Males born after 12/31/59 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
Must meet Maximum Entry Age (MEA) requirements.
Primary firefighter retirement covered position.
Subject to a negative drug test prior to entrance on duty.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must be 18 years of age.
May be subject to satisfactory completion of one year probationary or trial period.
Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of training.
DRUG TESTING: This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
Qualifications
You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements.
GS-11: In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have had one (1) year of specialized experience at least equivalent to GS-9 in performing administrative duties related to an aviation program, such as crew scheduling, training and operations and drafting correspondence, making recommendations, preparation of reports and memoranda related to management and administrative programs and issues; serving as a pilot in command of a light single engine or multi aircraft, co-pilot in transport category aircraft in complex operations such as performing smokejumper, paracargo, or other tactical missions; independently conducting preflight duties such as preparing load manifests and weight and balance computations, preflight checks of aircraft and related equipment, and evaluating weather conditions.
GS-12: In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have had one (1) year of specialized experience at least equivalent to GS-11 in performing basic systems inspection on light single- or multi-engine airplanes to confirm aircraft readiness for flight operations according to prescribed preflight checks; piloting one or more models of light single- or twin-engine airplanes in adverse weather, smoky conditions and/or reduced visibility, rough water landings, back country float plane operations, back country ski plane operations, turbulent air, low-speed low-level flight over mountainous, unfavorable terrain, constant radio traffic, and high density air traffic (in a non-radar environment); under the direction of an agency Inspector, Evaluator, or Instructor Pilot, conducting flight inspections and evaluations; and instructing of contractor and agency pilots to ensure their skills and abilities met agency requirements appropriate to the position held.
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS:
Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement.
Must possess a FAA Airplane Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating or a FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, with single engine land, sea rating and a tail wheel endorsement.
For GS-12, Must possess FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate, as appropriate to the position held.
Must possess a current FAA first or second-class medical certificate.
For GS-11, must meet all the following flight requirements and all minimum hours must be in Category (Airplane): Possess minimum flight time of 1500 hours with 500 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC); possess minimum flight time of 50 hours performing Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight; possess minimum flight time of 100 hours performing Night Flight; and possess minimum flight time of 100 hours in the preceding 12 months.
For GS-12, must meet all the following flight requirements and all minimum hours must be in Category (Airplane): Possess minimum Flight Time of 1500 hours with 1200 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC); possess minimum PIC time of 200 hours in Category and Class to be flown (Airplane - Single Engine Seaplane/Floatplane); possess minimum PIC time of 500 hours performing Cross Country flight; possess minimum PIC time of 200 hours performing low-level operations in mountainous terrain; possess minimum PIC time of 100 hours performing Night Flight; possess minimum PIC time of 75 hours of actual or simulated Instrument time with 50 hours in flight; and possess minimum PIC time in Category of 100 hours (preceding 12 months) and 10 hours (preceding 60 days).
To receive consideration for this position, you must meet all qualification requirements as of the closing date of this announcement.
Additional information
We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
This is a bargaining unit position represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees, IAMAW.
If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND FINGERPRINT CHECK: Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation.
E-Verify: Federal law requires agencies to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. If you are selected as a newly hired employee, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS 'E-VERIFY' system. Under the system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choice.
This is not eligible for situational telework.
Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.
Government housing is not available.
FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a primary/rigorous position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System. This position is subject to a Maximum Entry Age (MEA) requirement which has been set at age 37. Applicants must be 37 years of age or under prior to their appointment date for entry into this position. An applicant’s entry age may be adjusted based on credit for past primary/secondary service which is otherwise creditable for retirement. Temporary primary/rigorous service will only be credited if performed prior to January 1, 1989 (temporary service performed beginning 1/1/89 or later is not creditable for retirement). Applicants who are entitled to veteran’s preference or who are eligible under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act are eligible to request a waiver to the maximum age requirement. In instances where the maximum entry-age is waived, the corresponding mandatory retirement age for these individuals will also be higher because it will be reached after 20 years of coverage under special retirement provisions for the entitlement to an immediate enhanced annuity.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. Eligible applicants will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Applicants with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.
Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisor's phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications.
If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference.
Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please view Tips for Applicants – a guide to the Forest Service application process.
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, click "Apply Online" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.
NOTE: You must verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the Agency's staffing system. Applicants may combine all like required documents (e.g., all SF-50s) into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping like documents into files will simplify the application process. Documents must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signature, or other encryption to open.
USDA Forest Service
Do not mail in applications, see instructions under the How to Apply tab.
Albuquerque, NM, 87109
United States
Next steps
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisor's phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications.
If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference.
Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please view Tips for Applicants – a guide to the Forest Service application process.
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, click "Apply Online" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.
NOTE: You must verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the Agency's staffing system. Applicants may combine all like required documents (e.g., all SF-50s) into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping like documents into files will simplify the application process. Documents must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signature, or other encryption to open.
USDA Forest Service
Do not mail in applications, see instructions under the How to Apply tab.
Albuquerque, NM, 87109
United States
Next steps
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
