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Deputy Director, Fire and Aviation Management (FAM)

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located within the Washington Office Fire and Aviation Management (WO-FAM) and serves as Deputy Director for Fire and Aviation Management (FAM).

The Deputy Director reports to and shares responsibility with the National Director for Fire and Aviation Management (FAM), providing technical and administrative direction on national FAM activities, operations and risk management.

Overview

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Job closed
Open & closing dates
01/05/2026 to 01/05/2026
Salary
$129,549 to - $195,216 per year
Pay scale & grade
GW 14 - 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-WOFIRE-12856466-1415G-LM
Control number
853543200

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Duties

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  • Duties listed are at the full performance level GW15.
  • Responsible for providing leadership, coordination, administration and direction in the formulation of standards, methods, and guides for a highly complex, national fire operations program.
  • Prepares guidance based on analysis of interrelated issues of effectiveness, efficiency and productivity of mission oriented programs.
  • Responsible for assistance with preparedness and suppression planning and program input for formulating policy and direction to the overall development, planning, execution, and coordination of the national Fire and Aviation program.
  • Responsible for the coordination and program direction during critical fire situations establishing national priorities for all firefighting resources in concert with the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group.
  • Provides strategic oversight, advice and assistance for the national program budget. Directs formulation of national preparedness and suppression programs.
  • Represents the Chief, National Director, and other Agency Officials at National and International meetings of organizations and groups concerned with Fire and Aviation Management matters as they affect natural resource protection.
  • In coordination with the Director and Deputy Chief, formulates national policies, plans, and programs necessary for the administration of fire and aviation management programs.
  • Develops policy that effectively translates Executive direction, Congressional mandates, and judicial determinations that affect delivery of U.S. Forest Service FAM programs.
  • Provides technical and administrative supervision to employees in a variety of professional and non-professional occupations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
  • 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.gov
  • Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New Forest Service supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
  • This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice.
  • Secondary Coverage: Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
  • Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
  • 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

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 Wildland Fire Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

GW14: Applicants must display one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW13 grade level. Examples of specialized experience may include: Assisted in directing Fire and Aviation programs, standards and processes; Recommended policy or strategy changes to Fire and Aviation Management leadership and implement changes; Prepared, justified and administered program budgets for a unit; Worked with staff from all functional areas within Fire and Aviation Management, along with interagency partners; Assisted in coordinating the integration of fire management programs with other programs and interagency partners.

GW15: Applicants must display one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW14 grade level. Examples of specialized experience may include: Directed Fire and Aviation programs, standards and processes; Participated in planning and developing changes in policy, standards and procedures to Fire and Aviation Management programs; Strategically planned and administered program budgets for one or more units; Assisted in providing oversight in managing relationships with partners in large fire operations, to effectively work with all Regions/Areas, other agencies and partners.

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.

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336 (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history.

To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) or Wildland Firefighter (GW) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

There is no education qualification or substitution for this position.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).

Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status such as leave without pay is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.

Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.

This is a permanent full-time position and may include weekend work.

The duty station for this position is Location Negotiable and will be confirmed at time of selection. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates.

Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.

The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website.

Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period (unless prior service is creditable). New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required new supervisory training program before the end of their probationary period.

PROMOTION POTENTIAL: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied or guaranteed.


This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Forest Service daycare facilities are not available

Government Housing is not available.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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 your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the competencies listed below:

  • Fire Management
  • Workforce Environment


Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position.

If you meet the qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified, you will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities must meet minimum qualifications to be referred.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. 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.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12856466

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