Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens - No previous federal service is required. This position is being advertised under an OPM government-wide Direct Hire authority. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.

• Performs as helicopter specialist on the unit providing technical expertise for helicopter projects (e.g., aerial ignition, spraying, seeding, etc.).
• Certified to operate, maintain, inspect, and service a wide range of specialized helicopter accessory equipment, which is very technical, highly specialized, and expensive.
• During initial attack, ongoing fires, other natural disasters, search and rescue, and other emergencies, may serve in the capacity of incident commander, helicopter manager, or helibase manager.
• Independently manages and oversees complex helicopter operations, utilizing different helicopter models with varying capabilities.
• Provides pilots, crews, and dispatchers with detailed instructions on incident objectives, situations`, and tactics.
• Determines incident needs and orders personnel, equipment and supplies through appropriate incident ordering channels.
• Ensures subordinates are trained and qualified to perform missions safely and efficiently.
• Coordinates, and serves as lead instructor for unit and geographic area courses or workshops which instruct personnel in helicopter operations and wildland fire operations.
• May oversee and be certified to function in program enhancement mission, e.g., aerial ignition operations, cargo let down operations, single skid toe-in, hover entry/exit operations, etc.
• Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts short-term priorities, prepares schedules for completion of work, and approves leave.
• Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees.
• Coordinates within the unit to ensure timeliness, form, procedure, accuracy, quality, and quantity standards are met.
• Evaluates work performance of subordinates, setting standards, monitoring, and final evaluating of subordinate performance.
• Effects minor disciplinary measures, such as verbal warnings, cautions, and reprimands.
• Responsible for the on-the-job safety and health of all employees supervised.
• Provides leadership and supervision over a CA-BLM Light Helicopter Module in all aspects of training, preparedness, suppression, special projects, and employee development.
• Plans, writes, and implements Aviation Safety Plans.
• May assist or lead in helicopter contract solicitation, evaluation of contract packages, review of contract awards, provide contractor evaluations, and recommendation or review of contract invoices

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Be sure to read the How to Apply and Required Documents Sections.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
• Direct Deposit Required.
• Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
• Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
• Supervisory Probationary Period: If you are selected for this position, you will be required to serve a one year supervisory/managerial probationary period if one has not previously been completed.
• This position requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work.
• This position requires you to wear an officially-approved uniform while in a duty status.
• You must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position.
• You must pass a pre-employment physical.
• You must meet specified levels on annual physical fitness tests, and pass periodic medical exams for wild land fire personnel, commensurate with current incident management qualifications.
• You must also pass the work capacity test for arduous positions.
• An applicant appointed to this position must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license while employed in this position.
• Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use and to pass the test prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.

Qualifications

Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified:

This position is subject to the lnteragency Fire Program (IFPM) Standard and Guide selective placement factors for an Helicopter Manager (HEMG). This position requires the following qualifications - Currency Not Required:

ICT4 (Incident Command Type 4) and
HMGB (Helicopter Manager) and
HEBM (Helibase Manager) and
One season as Assistant Fire Helicopter Crew Supervisor

You must meet all qualification and selective placement factor requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Wildland fire is defined as any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland. Two distinct types of wildland fire have been defined and include wildfire and prescribed fire:

Wildfire - An unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires.

Prescribed Fire - Planned ignitions. This description includes only fire line experience on a Prescribed Fire; it does not include experience in the planning stages. Prescribed fire experience must be supplemented by fire suppression experience in order to be creditable as previous wildland firefighting experience.

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.

Specialized Experience: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.

If you are a current or former federal employee who served in a competitive or excepted appointment, your resume must show that you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 grade level: that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: Serving at least one season an Assistant Fire Helicopter Crew Supervisor. Providing day-to-day fireline supervision of firefighters in initial and extended attack wildland fire line operations. Providing aerial and ground fire assessment, development of control strategy and tactics, deployment and assignment of personnel and equipment. Instructing training courses to crewmembers, other bureau employees, interagency employees, and cooperators in helicopter safety, proper loading/unloading of personnel and cargo, external load/longline operations, bucket/tank operations. Ensuring that all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety regulations and policy are strictly enforced for helicopter, suppression, and project activities. Served as a project inspector (PI) and is designated as the field Project Inspector for the helicopter service contract assigned to the unit. Determining preparedness and suppression needs, facilitating procurement, formulating, and preparing project plans for the crew.

If you have never been or are NOT a current federal employee who served in a competitive or excepted appointment, your resume must show that you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level: that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: Serving at least one season an Assistant Fire Helicopter Crew Supervisor. Providing day-to-day fireline supervision of firefighters in initial and extended attack wildland fire line operations. Providing aerial and ground fire assessment, development of control strategy and tactics, deployment and assignment of personnel and equipment. Instructing training courses to crewmembers, other bureau employees, interagency employees, and cooperators in helicopter safety, proper loading/unloading of personnel and cargo, external load/longline operations, bucket/tank operations. Ensuring that all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety regulations and policy are strictly enforced for helicopter, suppression, and project activities. Served as a project inspector (PI) and is designated as the field Project Inspector for the helicopter service contract assigned to the unit. Determining preparedness and suppression needs, facilitating procurement, formulating, and preparing project plans for the crew.

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.

This is a SECONDARY/Administrative fire position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age (MEA) policy, the selectee must have prior service in a primary position and meet the transfer requirement for movement from a primary to secondary position to be eligible for special retirement coverage. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits(normally through submission of your SF-50). YOU MUST LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN A PRIMARY POSITION.

The maximum entry-age for this position shall not exceed age 37 unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian firefighter experience or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement. If over the MEA and you are not a veteran, proof of prior covered service must be submitted prior to employment. Acceptable proof consists of SF-50s showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable appointments and copies of approved letters based on individual claims.

Physical Demands: Arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity.

Work Environment: Forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. May be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the job opportunity announcement closes, your resume and all supporting documents will be reviewed by HR to determine your eligibility for Federal employment and your qualifications for this position specifically.

Because this vacancy will be filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to positions filled under this announcement. Applications received as a result of job fairs, recruitment events, and emergency hiring mechanisms in support of this hiring initiative will also be accepted during the duration of the announcement. All qualified candidates will be referred for consideration; the hiring office may conduct interviews at their discretion.