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Wildland Firefighter- Supervisory Forest Aviation Officer

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
Pacific Southwest Region 5

Summary

This position is located within a USDA Forest Service unit.

This position serves as a principal assistant to one or more Forest Staff Officer(s) or Forest Fire Management Officer(s) on USDA Forest Service Region 5 in directing the complex aviation management program of the Fire & Aviation Operations on one or more Forest Service units.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Jose Gonzales at jose.gonzales@usda.gov

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/13/2026 to 01/22/2026
Salary
$84,061 to - $127,474 per year
Pay scale & grade
GW 11 - 12
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Kernville, CA
Porterville, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel overnight for fire suppression or fire related assignments for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-FIRE-P2R5-SFAO-1112DH
Control number
854226300

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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  • Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-12 level.
  • Provides leadership for the strategic oversight and safety management of all aviation operations on one or more National Forests and/or DOI aviation unit.
  • Coordinates with Regional aviation management on Forest aviation operations, technical guidance, special projects for aviation support personnel, and other aviation related aspects.
  • Serves as subject matter expert in all phases of aviation contracting on the Forest. Initiates procurement and oversight of aviation contract and support services.
  • Develops performance standards, evaluates work performance of subordinates and serves as the reviewing official of non-supervisory employees rated by subordinate supervisors on multiple units that may be performing the same work.
  • Conducts risk assessment analyses of aviation operations. Develops, implements, reviews, and evaluates individual aviation project and safety plans.
  • Advises project planners on utilization and suitability of aircraft needed for fire suppression and aviation projects.

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.
  • 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.

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:

For the GW-11: You must have one-year specialized experience equivalent to the GW-09 in the Federal service.
OR
3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled).
OR
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.).

Examples of specialized experience include experience assisting with providing oversight and management of aviation activities including fire detection, suppression, use of fire retardant, aerial non-fire projects. Conducting contract management, safety training and risk assessment for aviation programs. Assisting with providing technical and administrative supervision for aviation programs.

For the GW-12: You must have one-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-11 grade level.

Examples of specialized experience include providing leadership in management and administration program on aviation activities including fire detection, suppression, use of fire retardant, aerial non-fire projects. Conducting contract management, safety training, and risk assessment for aviation programs. Performing technical and administrative supervision for aviation programs.

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

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.

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

Education

See QUALIFICATIONS section for education requirements.

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.

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.

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 nor guaranteed.

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/12860620

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