Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as an Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program Specialist. Make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting water demands while protecting the environment.
Duty Location: The final determination of the duty station for this position will be made by the selecting official. Remote locations limited to the 17 western states. See list of states in the requirements section.
Summary
Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as an Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program Specialist. Make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting water demands while protecting the environment.
Duty Location: The final determination of the duty station for this position will be made by the selecting official. Remote locations limited to the 17 western states. See list of states in the requirements section.
This position is in the Bureau of Reclamation; Mission Assurance and Protection Organization; Preparedness Division; Denver, CO. This position leads Reclamation's UAS program implementation, training, safety advocacy, and organizational support functions. The incumbent serves as the Reclamation Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Program Specialist providing expert administration, oversight, training, and piloting for uncrewed aircraft systems. This position reports to the Chief Preparedness Officer performing the following duties:
Provides (UAS) management and expertise through the leadership, coordination, development, and execution of Reclamation's Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program.
Maintains expert level of current knowledge and understanding of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of the Interior (DOI), and Reclamation laws, regulations, rules, policies, directives and standards, and plans to interpret, direct, and act on (UAS) requirements.
Provides technical advice and guidance to regional and unit-level aviation managers, coordinators, and users responsible for subordinate
(UAS) management plans, flight plans, and implementation procedures to assure alignment and compliance with higher-level requirements.
Directs management of (UAS) fleet activities including procurement, inventory control, maintenance, aircraft modifications, and safety inspections.
Conducts on-site inspections, evaluates and monitors Reclamation (UAS) programs, gathers (UAS) statistical data, analyzes data, and prepares appropriate reports.
Performs as a (UAS) pilot in command, pilot evaluator, pilot instructor, pilot certifier, visual observer, and related roles and functions expected in the management and conduct of (UAS) operations in support of Reclamation, DOI, and interagency missions.
Develops and/or technically evaluates proposed modifications to (UAS) aircraft and associated equipment/technology to assure compliance with safety standards. Advises on platform and technology options that establish new, or enhance existing, program functions and uses at regional and lower levels.
Coordinates, schedules, and conducts remote pilot training courses for Reclamation and interagency partners. Manages qualification and training records for (UAS) pilots via the Interagency Aviation Training system. Assesses, recommends, develops, and administers advanced and supplemental (UAS) and related technology courses unique to Reclamation not otherwise provided by DOI.
You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
You must be suitable for federal employment, determined by a background investigation.
You must submit a resume and supporting documentation (see Required Documents).
You must meet any minimum education and/or experience requirements (see Qualifications).
You must maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times as the position requires operation of government vehicles on government and public roads. Failure to maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times will result in removal from the position.
You must possess and maintain a Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 Remote Airman Certificate.
You must possess and maintain a OAS-30U DOI Remote Pilot Qualification Card. Duty Location: The final determination of the duty station for this position will be made by the selecting official at the time of the job offer. Remote locations limited to the following 17 western states served by Reclamation:
Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas.
Who May Apply:
Bureau of Reclamation Employees (Competitive)
Bureau of Reclamation Employees (Non-Competitive)
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA)
Qualifications
In order to be rated as qualified for this position, the HR Office must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - this information must be clearly supported in the resume.
To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-11 level in federal service having demonstrated experience providing technical specialist advice and guidance concerning the application of uncrewed aviation requirements; participating in the development of uncrewed aviation management requirements as a technical specialist; managing of UAS fleet activities, including procurement, inventory control, maintenance, aircraft modifications, and safety inspections; providing oversight, development, and/or coordination of pilot, aviation user, and/or manager (UAS) safety training; serving as a DOI authorized A-450, Small UAS Basic Remote Pilot Course instructor; performing work functions as a UAS pilot in support of Reclamation mission activities; analyzing and recommending improvements to unit, field, area, regional, and/or bureau UAS training, education, fleet management, inventory management, or other UAS-specific and related activities to inform program requirements. The definition of specialized experience is not all inclusive.
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: Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower-grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b).
Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a current Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 Remote Airman Certificate, OAS-30U DOI Remote Pilot Qualification Card, and a valid state driver's license. Failure to provide proof of such license will cause you to be rated ineligible for this position.
You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including time-in-grade restrictions and any selective placement factors if applicable, by 06/27/2024.
Education
This position does not allow substituting education for experience.
Additional information
You may be required to serve an initial probationary period.
This is a remote position.
Current agency employees may be eligible to receive a referral bonus for recruitment of this position. For information visit: Referral Bonus Awards.
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including applicant rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/
This position is designated as a MODERATE RISK Public Trust position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated Public Trust Suitability Background Investigation (T2S or T2RS or equivalent) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify registration with the Selective Service System or that the applicant is exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Go to: https://www.sss.gov
This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
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.
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.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide to the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
Accident Investigation
External Awareness
Organizational Awareness
Technical Competence
In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of additional assessment(s), including an occupational questionnaire and a Subject Matter Expert (SME) Resume Review. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job.
Human Resources (HR) will review resumes and submitted documents, if applicable, to ensure your meet the basic qualification requirements for this position. HR will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided in the assessment questionnaire. The assessment questionnaire will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. For evaluating the quality of candidates for referral to the selecting official, a multiple hurdle process will be used. If applicants meet basic qualifications, they will be given an interim score based on the application questionnaire and will continue on to a panel Subject Matter Expert Resume Review. Candidates will be given a final score which combines the scores from the first and second hurdles. Those candidates who score as best qualified will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.
Your answers will be verified against information provided in your resume. Your resume must clearly support the responses to all the questions by addressing experience, education, and/or training relevant to this position. You must make a fair and accurate assessment of your qualifications. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than what is apparent in the description of your experience, competencies, skills, and/or education/training (or that your resume/application is incomplete), you could be rated ineligible or your score could be lowered.
Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies with the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s). Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration. You may choose to opt in of having your information shared with other agencies when applying for this position. If an agency requests a copy of a certificate you are on, you will be notified.
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.
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.
Please submit the supporting documents outlined below applicable to your claimed eligibility status and the position and grade to which you are applying. Failing to submit required documents will result in non-consideration due to an incomplete application package.
RESUME: You must submit a resume that demonstrates how skills and experiences through job duties meet the qualifications and requirements listed in the job announcement to be considered for the job. Each job experience must include dates of employment including start and end dates (month and year), work schedule (full-time or part-time), and hours worked per week. For more information, click here.
PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL: Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act/achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.
FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: Competitive Service current and/or former federal employees eligible for Promotion, Reassignment, Transfer, Reinstatement, etc. You must submit a copy of their SF-50, verifying highest rate of pay and documenting career or career-conditional status in the competitive service (Tenure 1 or 2) for which the applicant is claiming eligibility. Do not submit award SF-50s. If you are applying for a higher grade and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one year time-in-grade requirement so you will need to provide an SF-50 which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-grade Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old). For more information, click here.
CAREER TRANSITION PROGRAMS: Permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. You 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, you must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including selective factors, education and experience requirements) and score at least 85.0 on the assessment questionnaire as established, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For more information, click here.
LAND MANAGEMENT WORKFORCE FLEXIBILITY ACT: Current or former land management agency appointees. You must submit (1) a copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that reflects having initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited (temporary/term) appointment; (2) a copy of SF-50(s), Notification of Personnel Action(s), that reflect having served under one (1) or more time-limited (temporary/term) appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two (2) or more years; and (3) a copy of your Performance Appraisal Plan and/or Supervisor Memorandum that reflects having performed at an acceptable level during each period of service. For more information, click here.
Required License/Certification: Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 Remote Airman Certificate.
Required License/Certification: OAS-30U DOI Remote Pilot Qualification Card.
Required License: Valid state driver's license.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Applications (resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documentation) for this vacancy MUST be received online BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, DC time) on 06/27/2024. To apply, click the blue APPLY ONLINE button at the top of the page.
Do not submit photographs with the application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - applicant must remove any images from badges, licenses, etc.
Upon successful submission of the application packet, applicants will receive a confirmation email from USAJOBS. If this email confirmation is not received by the applicant, the application has not yet been accepted by the system.
After all application packages have been received, resumes and supporting document(s) will be reviewed to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. Each applicant who meets the basic qualifications will be further evaluated on the information provided in the resume, application questionnaire, and other assessment criteria identified in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section above. Best-qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official. After making a tentative job offer, a suitability and/or security background investigation will be conducted. A final job offer is typically made within 40 days after the deadline for applications. Applicants should monitor their status for positions with the Bureau of Reclamation by regularly checking their public status notifications in the USAJOBS profile.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Please submit the supporting documents outlined below applicable to your claimed eligibility status and the position and grade to which you are applying. Failing to submit required documents will result in non-consideration due to an incomplete application package.
RESUME: You must submit a resume that demonstrates how skills and experiences through job duties meet the qualifications and requirements listed in the job announcement to be considered for the job. Each job experience must include dates of employment including start and end dates (month and year), work schedule (full-time or part-time), and hours worked per week. For more information, click here.
PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL: Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act/achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.
FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: Competitive Service current and/or former federal employees eligible for Promotion, Reassignment, Transfer, Reinstatement, etc. You must submit a copy of their SF-50, verifying highest rate of pay and documenting career or career-conditional status in the competitive service (Tenure 1 or 2) for which the applicant is claiming eligibility. Do not submit award SF-50s. If you are applying for a higher grade and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one year time-in-grade requirement so you will need to provide an SF-50 which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-grade Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old). For more information, click here.
CAREER TRANSITION PROGRAMS: Permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. You 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, you must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including selective factors, education and experience requirements) and score at least 85.0 on the assessment questionnaire as established, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For more information, click here.
LAND MANAGEMENT WORKFORCE FLEXIBILITY ACT: Current or former land management agency appointees. You must submit (1) a copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that reflects having initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited (temporary/term) appointment; (2) a copy of SF-50(s), Notification of Personnel Action(s), that reflect having served under one (1) or more time-limited (temporary/term) appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two (2) or more years; and (3) a copy of your Performance Appraisal Plan and/or Supervisor Memorandum that reflects having performed at an acceptable level during each period of service. For more information, click here.
Required License/Certification: Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 Remote Airman Certificate.
Required License/Certification: OAS-30U DOI Remote Pilot Qualification Card.
Required License: Valid state driver's license.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Applications (resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documentation) for this vacancy MUST be received online BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, DC time) on 06/27/2024. To apply, click the blue APPLY ONLINE button at the top of the page.
Do not submit photographs with the application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - applicant must remove any images from badges, licenses, etc.
Upon successful submission of the application packet, applicants will receive a confirmation email from USAJOBS. If this email confirmation is not received by the applicant, the application has not yet been accepted by the system.
After all application packages have been received, resumes and supporting document(s) will be reviewed to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. Each applicant who meets the basic qualifications will be further evaluated on the information provided in the resume, application questionnaire, and other assessment criteria identified in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section above. Best-qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official. After making a tentative job offer, a suitability and/or security background investigation will be conducted. A final job offer is typically made within 40 days after the deadline for applications. Applicants should monitor their status for positions with the Bureau of Reclamation by regularly checking their public status notifications in the USAJOBS profile.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
