Due to technical difficulties affecting applicants' ability to submit applications, this position is being extended for an additional 7 days. Applicants who applied to announcement 18-FIRE-R9-496541G-PRC need NOT reapply.
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
Summary
Due to technical difficulties affecting applicants' ability to submit applications, this position is being extended for an additional 7 days. Applicants who applied to announcement 18-FIRE-R9-496541G-PRC need NOT reapply.
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
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. House hunting trip. Other relocation benefits may be negotiated with selectee.
Current permanent Federal employees with competitive status, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP, VEOA, VRA eligibles up to GS-11 and reinstatement eligibles; Farm Service Agency permanent county employees; 30% or more disabled veterans; Individuals with Disabilities; former Peace Corps or VISTA volunteers; and eligibles for other Hiring Authorities.
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.
These positions are being concurrently announced under USDA Demonstration Project procedures (open to US Citizens) under announcement number 18-FIRE-R9-496541DP-PRC. Current Federal employees may apply to both announcements, but should be sure to apply to this Merit Promotion Announcement in order to avoid losing consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement.
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.
Successful completion of a one-year probationary trial period
Must be 18 years of age.
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.
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 -OR- eligible under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, older than 37, and requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
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 asc_tos@fs.fed.us.
Qualifications
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.
Minimum eligibility requirements for this position are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements, and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the position, see How You Will Be Evaluated section.
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS:
Must possess a FAA Airplane Commercial Pilot Certificate with Single Engine Instrument Rating or a FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, with single engine land, sea certificate.
Must possess a tail wheel endorsement.
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 possess a FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate, as appropriate to the position held;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 by the closing date of this announcement.
TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
There are no education requirements for this position.
Additional information
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.
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 choosing.
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.
Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career- conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better.
Government housing is not available.
Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.
This position is not eligible for telework.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below:
Ability to pilot various aircraft models ranging from light single to multi-engine airplanes, in various terrain and meteorological conditions.
Knowledge of wildland aerial firefighting operations.
Skill in analyzing, using guidelines, and regulations that apply to aviation or flight training.
Knowledge of Federal contracts in aviation wildland fire management.
Ability to conduct flight testing of aircraft and/or components to determine whether performance, maneuverability, control, stability, and other flight characteristics meet prescribed safety standards.
Knowledge of complex or tactical aerial operations
Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need to meet minimum qualifications to be referred.
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 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.
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.
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.
In addition to the above, you must submit the documents below if you claim any of the following:
Current and former Federal employees: 1) Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing that you are/were in the competitive service, highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND 2) Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Do not submit a performance plan.
Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority: 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.
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Eligible Applicants: Notification of Personnel Actions (SF-50s) showing you have served in appropriate appointment(s) for a period/periods that total more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years. You must include the initial hire actions, extensions, conversions and termination/separation SF-50s for each period of work; AND Performance Rating(s) or other evidence showing acceptable performance for ALL periods counted toward the more than 24 months of service. You must provide: 1) Performance Rating(s) showing an acceptable level of performance for period(s) of employment counted towards your eligibility, signed by your supervisor(s); or 2) If documentation of a rating does not exist for one or more periods, a statement from your supervisor(s) or other individual in the chain of command indicating an acceptable level of performance for the period(s) of employment counted towards your eligibility; or 3) If you do not have a Performance Rating or other performance documentation (outlined in 1 and 2 above) for any period that you are using to qualify for eligibility under the LMWFA, you must provide: A stated reason as to why the appraisal/documentation is not available, and a statement that your performance for all periods was at an acceptable level, your most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and you were never notified that you were not eligible for rehire based on performance. (This shall be accepted in lieu of providing copies of the performance appraisals).
Current permanent FSA County employees: most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action, (SF-50 or equivalent) showing your highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) per above.
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.
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
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.
In addition to the above, you must submit the documents below if you claim any of the following:
Current and former Federal employees: 1) Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing that you are/were in the competitive service, highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND 2) Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Do not submit a performance plan.
Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority: 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.
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Eligible Applicants: Notification of Personnel Actions (SF-50s) showing you have served in appropriate appointment(s) for a period/periods that total more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years. You must include the initial hire actions, extensions, conversions and termination/separation SF-50s for each period of work; AND Performance Rating(s) or other evidence showing acceptable performance for ALL periods counted toward the more than 24 months of service. You must provide: 1) Performance Rating(s) showing an acceptable level of performance for period(s) of employment counted towards your eligibility, signed by your supervisor(s); or 2) If documentation of a rating does not exist for one or more periods, a statement from your supervisor(s) or other individual in the chain of command indicating an acceptable level of performance for the period(s) of employment counted towards your eligibility; or 3) If you do not have a Performance Rating or other performance documentation (outlined in 1 and 2 above) for any period that you are using to qualify for eligibility under the LMWFA, you must provide: A stated reason as to why the appraisal/documentation is not available, and a statement that your performance for all periods was at an acceptable level, your most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and you were never notified that you were not eligible for rehire based on performance. (This shall be accepted in lieu of providing copies of the performance appraisals).
Current permanent FSA County employees: most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action, (SF-50 or equivalent) showing your highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) per above.
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.
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
