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Forest Aviation Officer

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located on the Sequoia National Forest Aviation & Fire Management.

This position serves as a principal assistant to one or more Forest Staff Officer(s) or Forest Fire Management Officer(s)(FFMO) in directing the complex aviation management program of the Fire & Aviation Operations on one or more Forest Service Units.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Angela Mae Sanchez-Hand at 559-784-1500 ext. 1121 email angela.m.sanchez@usda.gov.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open date: 09/03/2020
Closed date: 09/10/2020
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$55,204 - $71,764 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-Time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasionally overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire related assignments.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
20-FIRE-DHA-10865498DH-MC
Control number
577385500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

Duties

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  • Responsible for the strategic oversight and safety management of all aviation operations on one or more National Forests. Provides information and technical direction for all planned and continuing Forest aviation operations.
  • Must address a variety of unusual conditions, problems or questions related to long-range and long-duration matters that arise. Monitors present programs and missions to advise management regarding needed changes.
  • Conducts analysis of aircraft use to determine long term organizational and budgetary needs in meeting the Forest's aviation expectations. Coordinates, plans and establishes priorities for the Forest's aircraft use.
  • Maintains close liaison with other Aviation Managers, Forest Fire Management Officer(s), Deputy Forest FMO(s), Interagency Dispatch Center Manager(s) and Dispatch Coordinators to exchange information on current aviation operations.
  • Is responsible for advising line officers and resource managers on aviation applications in their programs. Advises project planners on utilization and suitability of aircraft needed for fire suppression and aviation projects.
  • May be delegated to serve as the Forest Fire Management Officer in their absence. Prepares and provides the Aviation Operations and Safety Plan.
  • Prepares Forest level supplements to FSM 5700, the Regional Aviation Management Plan and the Regional Aviation Mishap Prevention Plan. Provides leadership in conveying and enforcing established aviation policy, procedures, and safety standards.
  • Initiates or assists in submitting aircraft incident reports. Implements and or recommends corrective action for aircraft mishaps. Conducts risk assessment analyses of aviation operations.
  • Develops, implements, reviews and evaluates individual aviation project and safety plans. Sponsors, conducts or recommends aviation training for the Forests.
  • Coordinates with Regional aviation management on Forest aviation operations, technical guidance, special projects for aviation support personnel, and other aviation related aspects.
  • Serves as the primary aviation operations advisor to the Forest Supervisor or Incident Commander during project fires, or other projects that may involve aircraft. May support fire operations in various trainee and fully qualified ICS positions.
  • Is expected to achieve and maintain Incident Command System (ICS) qualifications as an aviation manager or Air Attack Group Supervisor (ATGS) or Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD).
  • May coordinate with the FAA, military route schedulers, cooperators, dispatchers, Incident Management Teams, and project leaders for air space coordination purposes.
  • May participate in the request and maintenance of Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) and NOTAM advisories from the FAA to de-conflict airspace situations.
  • Serves as subject matter expert in all phases of aviation contracting on the Forest. Initiates procurement and oversight of aviation contract and support services.
  • May be the designated Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for the Forest's aviation contracts. Coordinates annual contract inspections of aircraft and pilots with Regional aviation inspectors.
  • Coordinates annual contract inspections of aircraft and pilots with Regional aviation inspectors. Recommends course of action for contract provisions, corrects problems, and recommends change orders.
  • Has full authority to cease operations for violations of safety regulations. May participate in a contracting task group to propose and review aviation contract provisions.
  • Provides the technical, administrative and human resource management supervision to the Forests Aviation Program. Supervises the aviation modules.
  • Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts short-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
  • Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
  • Must be 18 years of age.
  • Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of training.
  • This is a Test Designated Position. You will be tested for illegal drugs prior to appointment and randomly thereafter. Appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results.
  • Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
  • Minimum of 90 days of wildland firefighting experience is required.
  • There may be additional Conditions of Employment not listed here, however applicants will be notified of any specific requirements at the time a tentative job offer is made.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GS-11: Must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Examples include: Assisting with providing oversight and management of aviation activities including fire detection, suppression, use of fire retardant, aerial non-fire projects. Conducting contract management, safety training, and risk assessment for aviation programs. Assisting with providing technical and administrative supervision for aviation programs.
OR
3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled);
OR
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.).

Selective Placement Factors

A minimum 90 days experience performing on-the-line (Primary/Rigorous) wildland fire suppression duties as a member of an organized fire suppression crew or comparable unit that utilized knowledge of wildland fire suppression, containment or control techniques and practices under various conditions. This experience must be documented with specific dates in the online application or resume.

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.

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary 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.

To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors.

Salary wage as shown is for Rest of the U.S. For more information, refer to the Office of Personnel Management,Salary and Wages web page.

Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.

Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email SM.FS.asc_tos@usda.gov.

This position is eligible for situational/limited telework.

Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.

Government housing is not available.

Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period (unless prior service is creditable). New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required new supervisory training program before the end of their probationary period.

This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336© (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). At least 90 days of wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. 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.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10865498

Forest Service

A career with the Forest Service will challenge you to manage and care for more than 193 million acres of our nation's most magnificent lands, conduct research through a network of forest and range experiment stations and the Forest Products Laboratory, and provide assistance to State and private forestry agencies.

It's an awesome responsibility - but the rewards are as limitless as the views.

Agency contact information

HRM Contact Center
Phone
1-877-372-7248 X2
Email
SM.FS.FSJobs@usda.gov
Address
USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center
DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT.
Albuquerque, NM 87109
US

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