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.

• Assists in the administration or oversight of agency-wide aviation programs such the in-service aviation standardization and training programs.
• Provides state-of-the-art technical aviation standardization and training advice on all technical and administrative fire and aviation matters.
• Recommends, promotes and assists in the implementation of service-wide aviation policies covering all phases of the highly complex and diversified mix of agency aviation activities, primarily supporting fire management activities.
• Provides technical development, direction and coordination of national and regional fire and aviation aircraft pilot training with other Regions to assure quality and standardization for all fire and aviation mission qualifications.
• Assures that aircraft pilot training programs with national application in fire and aviation are of the highest quality utilizing modern educational technology.
• Monitors and reviews flight proficiency evaluation programs for all Forest Service regional pilots and ensures execution of National training direction and standards at the Regional level.
• Continuously evaluates the effectiveness of National/Regional Aviation Standardization and Training Program with regard to in-service fire and aviation operations and establishes or revises standards and procedures as needed.
• Examines effectiveness of fire and aviation methods and agency aviation policies. Performs inspections of contractor and cooperator facilities, personnel, aircraft and associated equipment.
• Maintains proficiency in agency aircraft models/types that will be utilized to meet Forest Land Management Objectives or administrative needs.
• Must understand mission profiles that support wildland fire management including Lead plane and smoke jumper operations.
• Plans extended flights requiring the analysis of present and future weather conditions along the route, avoiding unfavorable weather, and considering alternate routes and destinations.
• Secures the necessary clearance and navigates by use of aeronautical charts, compass, and terrain features under visual flight conditions.
• Conducts initial check rides and annual equipment and mission qualification check rides for agency pilots and vendors.
• Plans the work to be accomplished by the unit, assigns work to employees, and establishes production or quality standards for the unit?s work.
• Hears and resolves employee complaints, effects minor disciplinary measures, and recommends action in more serious cases.
• Promotes equal opportunity and employs nondiscriminatory practices for merit promotion, recruitment and hiring of applicants; encouragement, recognition and fair treatment of all employees.
• Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical and other duties as assigned.

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.
• 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

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.

Qualification Requirements:

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, as appropriate to the position held (Airplane) with 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 1200 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC); possess minimum flight time of 500 hours in multi-engine airplanes; possess minimum PIC time of 200 hours in Category and Class to be flown (Airplane - Multi-engine); 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 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; possess minimum PIC time in Category of 100 hours (preceding 12 months) and 10 hours (preceding 60 days).

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.

Selective Placement Factors:

A minimum 90 days on-the-line (Rigorous) wildland firefighting experience gained through containment, control, suppression, or use of wildland fire as a member of an organized fire suppression crew or comparable unit that utilized knowledge of wildland fire suppression techniques and practices under various conditions.

-OR-

Pilot with aerial wildland fire experience, such as: delivery of fire retardants or suppressants via fixed or rotor wing aircraft; aerial ignition, helitack or aerial supervision operations (Air Tactical, Aerial Supervision Module - ASM, Helicopter Coordinator - HLCO). This experience, to include, specific duties and specific dates must be documented a separate document including reference names and current phone numbers for verification.

For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

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 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.

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/10891145