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Airplane Pilot

Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is an Airplane Pilot, GS- 2181-12 working in Fairbanks, Alaska for the R7-Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

This position is also open to the public under announcement R7-23-11903687-TD-DE. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Please contact Heather Bartlett at (907) 456-0322 or heather_bartlett@fws.gov with any questions regarding this vacancy.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open date: 03/31/2023
Closed date: 04/21/2023
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$93,367 - $121,378 per year

The salary range given includes base pay and locality pay, you will also receive a 2.01% cost of living allowance, subject to change.

Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time - March through November (Annually)
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Multiple - Permanent Career-Seasonal
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
R7-23-11903688-TD-MP
Control number
716504300

Duties

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As a Airplane Pilot your duties will include but are not limited to the following:

  • Serve as pilot-in-command of single engine, wheel, float, fixed-wing aircraft.
  • Conduct flights from designated Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airfields, and non-designated landing strips (gravel bars, beaches, ridge tops, lakes and rivers, etc.) of restricted size in isolated areas.
  • Follow and keep management apprised of all FAA, Office of Aircraft Services (OAS), Department of the Interior (DOI), and Service rules and regulations regarding operation of aircraft (public and private) associated with the Service's missions within their duty station and Region.
  • Conduct other flying related duties which include: aircraft record keeping; coordination with other Service pilots, the Regional Aviation Manager, Regional Aviation Training Manager and OAS; initiation of cyclical and non-scheduled maintenance; refueling and fuel handling; lubrication and cleaning of aircraft; preflight and postflight activities; weather briefings and flight planning; loading and unloading of aircraft; and de-icing and extensive preparations for winter flights.
  • Conduct search and rescue operations.
  • Inspect aircraft used to support Service programs to assure they are equipped with required (per Office of Aircraft Services policy, FAA regulation, and State law) cargo nets, and survival and first aid gear.
  • Maintain records, including pilot training records, check ride expiration dates, flight hours, aircraft maintenance needs, aircraft inspection dates, and other information.
  • Assist in performing biological surveys including but not limited to waterfowl, raptor, vegetative mapping, radio telemetry, data tabulation, classification of habitats, and other related field and office work. Most surveys will be aerial, but incumbent will occasionally participate in ground surveys which will involve walking or working out of canoes and small boats.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
  • Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
  • Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • Drug testing position: Selectees tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
  • Medical Requirements: Candidates for all pilot positions must possess a current first or second -class medical certificate in accordance with FAA Regulations.
  • Driver's License: Selectees MAY be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
  • Firearm: Selectees will be required to carry a firearm in the performance of your duties.
  • Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform MAY be required.
  • Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
  • Possess a FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating or FAA Airline Transport Certificate (or military or other acceptable certificate) and have completed the minimum flight hour requirements, including recency of flight experience.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 04/21/2023 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Basic Requirement, Minimum Qualification, and Medical Requirement: as described below:

Basic Requirement:
Possess a FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating or FAA Airline Transport Certificate (or military or other acceptable certificate) and have completed the minimum flight hour requirements, including recency of flight experience, as described here: 1) Total Flight Time - 1500 hours; 2) Pilot-In-Command - 1200 hours; 3) Night Flying - 75 hours; 4) Flying Time, Last 12 Months - 100 hours; and 5) 75 hours of Simulated Instrument or hours logged in actual Instrument meteorological conditions. (You must submit Certificates and Ratings with your application for verification of required hours).

Minimum Qualification GS-2181-12:
Have one year of Specialized Experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. This experience has equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized Experience for this position includes piloting Single Engine Fixed Wing aircraft performing short take-offs and landings; flying in remote, mountainous areas; applying sound judgement in aviation decision-making processes; planning effectively to accomplish program missions and goals while always considering safety; and working independently.

Medical Requirement:
Candidates for all pilot positions must possess a current first or second -class medical certificate in accordance with FAA Regulations. (You must submit your medical certificate with your application for verification of this requirement).

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.

Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically,
i. Area of Consideration.
ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.
iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method
Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements


The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures.

Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance (dates should match the dates on the SF-50s).

Current appointees:

  • Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency;
  • Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND
  • Must have performed at an acceptable level.

Former appointees:

  • Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency;
  • Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years;
  • Must apply for position within 2 years after separation;
  • Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND
  • Must have performed at an acceptable level.

Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority: Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC and received a certificate of non-competitive eligibility. Completed most recent Corps service, for which a certificate of non-competitive eligibility was issued, within the last 2 years. Appointment must be effected within the 2 year period.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

PCS INFORMATION:
Yes, entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (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. All moving expenses are taxable. In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements May be authorized for this position excluding contractor-provided home sale.

Telework:
This position is not suitable for telework.

Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

For information on CTAP and ICTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/"
Cost of Living Allowance: In addition to the yearly salary, this position is entitled to a 2.01% cost-of-living allowance (COLA)as determined by https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-systems/nonforeign-areas/#url=COLA-Rates .This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment, and rate decrease.

Positions that require the use of a Firearm - Applicants are ineligible for this position if ANY time they have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence, unless such conviction was expunged, set aside or the applicant receives a pardon.

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 for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Knowledge of FAA rules and regulations and the ability to exercise sound judgment to ensure all activities conform to the relevant rules and regulations.
  • Knowledge and skill in conducting special purpose missions such as low-level fish and wildlife surveys and radio-telemetry aerial tracking of wildlife in mountainous terrain.
  • Skill in Microsoft Office or similar.
  • Knowledge and skill to safely operate single engine fixed-wing aircraft at minimum air speed and low altitudes (less than 500 feet AGL) over unfavorable terrain in remote wilderness areas. Under the command of the incumbent, flights will be conducted from field landing strips (such as beaches, gravel bars, ridge tops, lakes and rivers) of restricted size in isolated areas. Accurate weather predictions are often difficult or impossible to obtain and incumbent must often make independent decisions on suitable safe flying conditions.
  • Skill in takeoff and landing using wheels, skis, or floats on and off airport. Uses aircraft performance, pilot abilities and environmental conditions to ensure safe landing and takeoff.
This vacancy will utilize a multiple hurdle assessment process to determine the qualifications of applicants. The first hurdle will consist of applicants completing an occupational questionnaire related to the major duties and competencies of the position. The second hurdle will consist of applicant resumes being reviewed by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) panel for related position competencies against a pre-determined rating schedule. This process will determine the final rating of the applicant for possible referral to the hiring official for hiring consideration.

Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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Agency contact information

Human Resources Staffing Division
Phone
833-512-0482
Email
fwshiring@fws.gov
Address
Division of Human Resources
Division of Human Resources
1101 East Tudor Road
Anchorage, AK 99503
US

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