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Supervisory Airplane Pilot (Wildland Firefighter)

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service

Summary

THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. This type of announcement provides the USDA Forest Service with a readily available source of applicants when vacancies occur. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified when there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied. Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates applications are due for these locations can be found on the Forest Service website.

See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section for details.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/09/2026 to 06/26/2026
Salary
$131,841 to - $171,396 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Locations
MANY vacancies in the following locations:
SOUTHWESTERN REGION, REGION 3
Phoenix, AZ
SOUTHWESTERN REGION, REGION 3
Tucson, AZ
INTERMOUNTAIN REGION, REGION 4
McCall, ID
SOUTHWESTERN REGION, REGION 3
Albuquerque, NM
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel overnights on fire suppression or fire related assignments for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-FIRE-NOCR-PILOT-13DH
Control number
854074900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

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Duties

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  • Is responsible for the development and coordination of the Forest Service Regional INFRARED aircraft pilot fire and aviation training program based on performance requirements, standardization and training needs.
  • Assists in the administration or oversight of agency-wide aviation programs such the in-service aviation standardization and training programs.
  • Assists in managing the content and methodology of centralized national aircraft pilot training and evaluation programs to assure that national fire and aviation goals and objectives are met.
  • Provides information for aviation accident prevention concepts and behavioral trends and integrates these into agency program goals and objectives.
  • Maintains proficiency in agency aircraft models/types that will be utilized to meet Forest Land Management Objectives or administrative needs.
  • Plans extended flights requiring the analysis of present and future weather conditions along the route, avoiding unfavorable weather, and considering alternate routes and destinations.
  • Plans the work to be accomplished by the unit, assigns work to employees, and establishes production or quality standards for the unit's work.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service 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.
  • Must be 18 years of age.
  • 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.
  • Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
  • Secondary Coverage: Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
  • Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
  • 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 Schedule Qualification Standards.

You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements.

Basic Requirement: Certificates and Ratings
Must possess an FAA Airplane Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Airplane Multi-Engine Land ratings OR possess a current and valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Airplane Multi-Engine Land rating.

Must possess a current FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate, or military equivalent, as appropriate to the position held (Airplane) Multi-Engine and Instrument Airplane Instruction ratings. In order to be considered for this position, you must attach a copy of your current FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate, or military equivalent, as appropriate to the position held (Airplane) Multi-Engine and Instrument Airplane Instruction ratings. Multi-Engine and Instrument Airplane Instruction ratings or the military equivalent rating is also required.

Medical Certificate:
Must possess a current FAA first or second-class medical certificate. Must possess all necessary certificates and ratings and flight hours in the appropriate Category and Class (Airplane - Multi-Engine) as required.

GS-13: Must meet all the following flight requirements and all minimum hours must be in Category (Airplane): Possess minimum flight time of 1500 hours with 250 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC); possess minimum flight time of 500 hours in multi-engine airplanes; possess minimum time of 500 hours in Category and Class to be flown (Airplane - Multi-engine); possess minimum time of 75 hours performing Night Flight; possess minimum PIC time of 75 hours of actual or simulated Instrument time with 10 hours in flight; possess minimum flying time in Category of 100 hours (preceding 12 months).

In order to be considered for this position, you must attach a copy of complete and legible documentation (i.e. flight logs, etc.) for certification that all minimum flight hours and requirements have been met for consideration at the appropriate grade level for which applying, and that flight hours are in the appropriate Category and Class (Airplane-Multi-engine) as required. Failure to address and provide supporting documentation for any one of the required flight hours will result in disqualification.

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 date of this announcement.

Education

There is no educational requirements for this position.

Additional information

For additional information about the duties and location(s) of these positions, please contact regional representative: To see the different locations within the Regional Offices | US Forest Service (usda.gov)

Region 3: Southwestern Region - Tobe Haught at tobe.haught@usda.gov
Region 4: Intermountain Region - Nikki Sandhoff at nikki.sandhoff@usda.gov

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.

The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. 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.

Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email SM.FS.asc_tos@usda.gov

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.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Forest Service daycare facilities may be available.

Government Housing may be 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.

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position.

Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given a new appointment.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. 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 up to including removal from the Federal service.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12862534

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