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.

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• Provides technical oversight necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit.
• Monitors and assesses aviation operations and base activities for compliance with established policy, guidelines, and regulations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective aviation operations.
• Oversees the activities of an airbase in support of wildland fire activities to ensure overall efficiency, safety and security of ground and aviation operations.
• Serves as point of contact with airport management, contractor’s representatives, public affairs, and various federal, state, and local entities, pertaining to aviation operations at the base.
• Coordinates and directs the planning, scheduling, and monitoring of all flights and resources utilizing the air base.
• Identifies and coordinates logistical needs for base support, a variety of incoming aircraft types and transient air crews.
• Ensures safe operations of aviation and ground support activities including site security, radio and hand signal communication, aircraft movement, fueling, retardant mixing and loading, and vehicle movement on the ramp.
• Implements and monitors Job Hazard Analysis’, Risk Management Assessments, and Safety Management System practices. Works with local aviation management on corrective actions and safety or operational issues.
• Ensures base and facilities maintenance and procedures conform to OSHA and agency policies and guidelines and environmental regulations.
• Completes and maintains reports and records of aircraft flight times and costs, retardant use and costs; completes daily flight invoices and contract daily diaries.
• This position may supervise personnel assigned to the air base, and all air base operations on the ramp and office operations area.
• Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates; sets and adjusts short-term priorities; and prepares schedules for completion of work.

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 Land.
• Direct Deposit Required.
• Background Investigation Required.
• Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background investigation. Failure to possess or obtain a favorable determination will result in the cancellation of the offer or will be grounds for termination.
• You must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position.
• You must pass a pre-employment physical.
• 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.
• This position requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work during peak fire season.
• May require completion of a one year probationary period.
• Applicants appointed to this position must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience Requirements: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement(s); please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled.

To qualify for the GS-08 grade level: 1 year of creditable specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: assisting with scheduling resource flights as needed, updating aviation plans, monitoring and evaluating aviation operations in both fire and/or resource activities; mixing and loading retardant chemicals for aircraft weight limitations; assisting with review, and dissemination of aviation policy statements, safety bulletins, manuals and handbooks; administering or assisting with applicable aircraft and retardant contracts; assisting with performing day to day administration of the contracts in place and enforcing contract provisions.

To qualify for the GS-09 grade level: 1 year of creditable specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: independently scheduling resource flights as needed, updating and developing the aviation plans, monitoring and evaluating aviation operations in both fire and resource activities; managing and/or administering the mixing and loading of retardant chemicals for aircraft weight limitations assisting with preparation, review, and disseminate aviation policy statements, safety bulletins, manuals and handbooks; administering applicable aircraft and retardant contracts; performing day to day administration of the contracts in place and enforcing contract provisions.

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.

Substitution of Education for Experience:
There is no substitution of education for experience for these grade levels.

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

Physical Demands: Long irregular hours are required, much of it occurring during periods of fire operations. Frequent standing, walking and long periods outside in high temperatures and direct sunlight may be required while working round multiple arriving and departing aircraft. Work in an office environment and long periods of sedentary work. Lifting and carrying heavy equipment/materials and operating a variety of hand and poser tool is required.

Work Environment: Work Majority of activities are performed in an airbase environment, both inside and outdoors. Extreme variations in temperature and climactic conditions are common. Work requires use of safety equipment including hearing and eye protection and high visibility clothing. The work involves exposure to operating aircraft that result in high noise levels and exposure to turning propellers, prop wash, jet intake areas and jet-blast, and flying dues and debris.

This is a secondary/administrative firefighter 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 policy, the selectee must have prior service in a primary position (3 years of service in primary/rigorous position(s)) 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.

FACT SHEET for Fire Positions: Information on Special Retirement.

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 based on how your application materials reflect the qualification requirements of this position.

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. Due to this vacancy being filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does 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. Interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis.

Your responses to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities) in the following areas:

• Technical Competence
• Administration and Management
• Leadership