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.

• Operates from confined or isolated areas primarily under visual meteorological conditions.
• Plans extended flights requiring the analysis of present and future weather conditions along the route, avoiding unfavorable weather, and considering alternate routes and destinations.
• Performs preflight inspection of aircraft to ensure that loading and safety precautions meet standards appropriate to the flight assignment. Operates from confined or isolated areas under instrument flight rules.
• Serve as a technical advisor to the Regional Aviation Operations Manager/ Supervisory Pilot for single and multi-engine 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. Maintains accurate flight and aircraft logs. Posts revisions and updates to navigation and regulation publications, flight manuals, etc.
• Carries out assignments in the ASM/Airtanker, ATGS, Helicopter, Light Fixed-Wing, and Smokejumper Aircraft Programs as directed.
• Gathers information, identifies and analyzes issues, and develops recommendations to resolve complex organizational problems or develop and implement organizational policies and procedures across major agency organizations.
• As the Aviation Contracting Officers Technical Expert regarding airplane contracts and contract pilots, serves as a technical leader in a specific subject matter area, providing definitive technical guidance to contractors.
• Evaluates pilots flying single or twin engine airplanes in short-field takeoffs and landings under maximum loads, low-speed low-level maneuvering, flight in mountainous terrain, high density altitude operations, and back country airstrip operations.
• Schedules and performs standard functional tests on light single or twin engine aircraft, and/or heavy multi-engine aircraft to determine whether aircraft systems are operating correctly.
• Performs checks after repairs, replacements of damaged or worn components, extensive maintenance, or approved modifications have been made to the aircraft systems. Verifies that predetermined flight and performance characteristic have been restored.
• Pilots a variety of models at low altitudes and varying speeds over unfavorable terrain such as mountains, forests, or deserts, during both day and night conditions, to transport passengers and cargo among a variety of destinations.
• Serves as pilot-in-command on heavy multi-engine transport category aircraft over unfavorable terrain such as mountains, forests, or deserts, during both day and night conditions, to a variety of destinations.
• Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical and other duties as assigned.
• Duties are listed at the GS-12 full performance level.

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.
• 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.
• Under age 40; less than age 40 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 40 and is requesting a waiver to the requirement.

Qualifications

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.

Qualifying 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 and resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements.

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. Refer to How You Will Be Evaluated section for additional information.

Certificates and Ratings:

For the GS-12 grade level only: Must possess and maintain current and valid qualifications as a FAA Certified Flight Instructor in airplanes (Multi-Engine Instructor -Instrument).

For All grade levels:
- Must possess an FAA Airplane Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Airplane Multi-Engine Land ratings, or an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Airplane Multi-Engine Land rating.

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.

Qualification Requirement:

For GS-9: Must meet all the following flight requirements and all minimum hours must be in Category (Airplane): Possess minimum flight time of 1200 hours with 250 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC); possess minimum flight time of 100 hours PIC in multi-engine airplanes; possess minimum PIC flight time of 100 hours performing Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and/or Night Flight; and possess minimum flight time of 100 hours PIC in the preceding 12 months.

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 500 hours PIC in multi-engine airplanes; possess minimum PIC flight time of 50 hours performing Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight; possess minimum PIC flight time of 100 hours performing Night Flight; and possess minimum PIC flight time in Category 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 flight time of 500 hours PIC in multi-engine airplanes; possess minimum PIC time of 200 hours in Category and Class to be flown (Airplane); 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 (flight at 2500 AGL and below in terrain identified as mountainous in 14 CFR 95.11, and as depicted in the Aeronautical information Manual figure 5-6-3); possess minimum PIC flight 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 flight time in Category of 100 hours in the preceding 12 months; possess minimum PIC flight time of 10 hours in the preceding 60 days; possess a minimum of 250 hours PIC in Heavy Multi-Engine aircraft (12,500 pounds GTOW and Over) and 25 hours PIC in type within the past 5 years with an unrestricted type rating in the applicable aircraft (Airplane).

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS:

Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 40 -OR- less than age 40 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 40 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement.

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.

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.

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.

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

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/10892590