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Aircraft Flight Instructor (Wildland Fire)

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located on USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region, Region 4, Fire, Aviation and Air unit.

Serves as Region Aircraft Inspector Pilot, responsibility for administering pilot evaluations in rotary-wing and/or fixed wing aircraft and technical oversight of pilots, aircraft and equipment used in agency missions and serves as an aircraft pilot in command.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Nikki Sandhoff at nikki.sandhoff@usda.gov.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
01/16/2025 to 01/27/2025
Salary
$130,536 to - $169,699 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel overnights on fire suppression or fire related assignments for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
25-FIRE-P2R4-AFINSTR-13DH
Control number
828364700

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.

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Duties

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  • Duties listed are at full performance grade GS-13 level.
  • Evaluates and determines suitability and capability of contractor employed pilots for approval to perform special use skills.
  • Independently determines a pilot's ability to perform mission requirements to agency standards with the authority to issue or withhold the authorization/qualification card for mission-specific applications.
  • Serves as a team member for the aircraft contract compliance and renewal process for all contractor and cooperating federal, state and local agency aviation operations for the assigned geographical area.
  • Provides expert technical advice to regional and national aviation programs as a principal advisor in the development and implementation of policies, programs and standard practices for aviation operations and specialized projects.
  • Serves on regional and national aircraft contract evaluation panels as a technical expert for aircraft performance and capability--primarily fire suppression/pre-suppression.
  • Reviews operational procedures for use of aircraft and related equipment and develops required amendments to establish procedures and coordinates any safety concerns with the supervisor and Regional Aviation Safety Manager (RASM).
  • Serves as pilot-in-command (PIC) of aircraft for the purpose of conducting missions to include point-to-point transportation of personnel and cargo, utilization of special use skills.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Secondary Coverage: Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
  • Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
  • Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver's license; a commercial driver's license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination.
  • 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.

You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements.

Basic Requirement: Certificates and Ratings:

Must possess an FAA Airplane Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Airplane Multi-Engine Land ratings OR possess a current and valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Airplane Multi-Engine Land rating.

Must possess a current FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate, or military equivalent, as appropriate to the position held (Airplane) Multi-Engine and Instrument Airplane Instruction ratings. In order to be considered for this position, you must attach a copy of your current FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate, or military equivalent, as appropriate to the position held (Airplane) Multi-Engine and Instrument Airplane Instruction ratings.

Multi-Engine and Instrument Airplane Instruction ratings or the military equivalent rating is also required.

Medical Certificate:

Must possess a current FAA first or second-class medical certificate. Must possess all necessary certificates and ratings and flight hours in the appropriate Category and Class (Airplane - Multi-Engine) as required.

GS-13: Must meet all the following flight requirements and all minimum hours must be in Category (Airplane): Possess minimum flight time of 1500 hours with 250 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC); possess minimum flight time of 500 hours in multi-engine airplanes; possess minimum PIC time of 500 hours in Category and Class to be flown (Airplane - Multi-engine); possess minimum PIC time of 75 hours performing Night Flight; possess minimum PIC time of 75 hours of actual or simulated Instrument time with 10 hours in flight; possess minimum flying time in Category of 100 hours (preceding 12 months). In order to be considered for this position, you must attach a copy of complete and legible documentation (i.e. flight logs, etc.) for certification that all minimum flight hours and requirements have been met for consideration at the appropriate grade level for which applying, and that flight hours are in the appropriate Category and Class (Airplane-Multi-engine) as required. Failure to address and provide supporting documentation for any one of the required flight hours will result in disqualification.

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 firefighter position under 5 USC 8336© (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior 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.

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

Education

There is no educational requirements for this position.

Additional information

Location Negotiable-This position will need to be located within the commuting distance of 49 miles from a Forest Service office within Intermountain Region, Region 4. Final determination of the duty station(s) for this position will be made by the selecting official at the time of job offer. To see where Region 4 Forest Service offices are located, click here.

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 range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS) on the 0767 Special Rate Table. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates.

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.

The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional information is available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-and-leave-flexibilities-for-recruitment-and-retention/

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 is a bargaining unit position and is represented by NFFE.

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.

Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given a new appointment.

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/12656790

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