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Wildland Firefighter (Aviation)

Department of the Interior
Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs

Summary

This position is located with the BIA, Office of Trust Services, Division of Forestry & Wildland Fire Management, Branch of Wildland Fire Management (WFM), located at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), in Boise, Idaho. Information about the surrounding area can be found at https://www.boisechamber.org/

The duty location is in Boise, ID or may be negotiable at the time of selection, but it MUST be within the local commuting area of a Federal facility.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/15/2026 to 01/26/2026
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$97,564 to - $126,835 per year

Final salary determination will be based on location.

Pay scale & grade
GW 12
Locations
2 vacancies in the following locations:
Boise, ID
Location Negotiable After Selection
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. Relocation consideration for relocation to Boise, ID only.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
BIAMP-26-12848198-RS
Control number
854657700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All current career/career-conditional or former federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; Indian Preference Eligibles; Veterans' Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA); Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) and former Public Land Corps (PLC) eligibles. CTAP and ICTAP eligibles within the local commuting area.

Duties

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  • Serve as a Wildland Fire Fighter (Aviation) that assists in the Management and administration of lndian Affair's (IA) aviation program.
  • Execute various phases of aviation priorities of the BIA aviation program including operations, aerial supervision, management, administration, safety, training, unmanned aerial systems, and program evaluation.
  • Develop standards provide guidance to managers, supervisors, project leaders and their staff, to ensure aviation safety and cost effectiveness in meeting a variety of Bureau missions and objectives.
  • Serve as the point of contact between the BIA and other Federal and State land management agencies for all aviation related concerns.
  • Establish and maintain contact with national, regional, agency, and tribal fire and aviation personnel to keep advised of their current conditions, needs, capabilities and readiness, as related to the safe and efficient use of aviation resources.
  • Provide expert technical assistance to Regional Directors, Agency Superintendents, Fire Management Staffs, Agency Aviation Officers, Project Inspectors, interagency partners, and other bureau and tribal representatives.
  • Perform the duties of aircrew members (Pilot, Air Tactical Group Supervisor, Aerial Supervision Module, or Helicopter Manager) or other fully qualified manager as required in fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft during special use activities.
  • Serve in various leadership functions such as: Trainer, Certifier, Incident Commander, Division Supervisor, Task Force Leader, Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, Helibase Manager, Air Support Group Supervisor, Air Operations Branch Director.
  • Determine adequacy of program content and adherence to standards and advise the Program Manager on methods to correct deficiencies.

Requirements

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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 Lands.
  • Direct Deposit Required.
  • Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
  • Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
  • An applicant appointed to this position must possess (or obtain within 30 days of entrance on duty) and maintain a valid state driver's license while employed in this position.
  • This is a Drug Testing Designated Position. You will be required to submit to screening for illegal drug use and pass prior to appointment. This position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
  • May be required to complete a probationary period.
  • Indian Preference applies.
  • Eligibility Documentation Required (i.e. DD-214, BIA Form 4432, SF-50 etc.).

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Selective Placement Factors (SPFs):
This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified:

  • Satisfactory performance as a Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), OR Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) AND Completion and certification of NWCG Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) Position Task Book, PMS 311-18

Specialized Experience:
In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the minimum qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.

To qualify for the GS-12 grade level, you must have one (1) full year of creditable specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11. Examples may include the following:

  • Experience developing and executing aviation programs for the use of aerial supervision to interface the principles and practices into the performance and efficiency of field operations.
  • Experience conducting on-site inspections, accident investigations, and evaluations to gather and analyze data to ensure aircraft compliance and safety of operations.

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.

You must meet all qualification requirements by closing date of the announcement.

Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level.

Verify Employment Eligibility (E-Verify): DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/e-verify.

Telework: The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. The selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Education

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12 and above grade levels.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program(ICTAP): CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at CTAP or ICTAP. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form.CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they receive a minimum score of 90 based on the rating criteria used for this position.

Permanent Change in Station (PCS): Travel and relocation expenses will be paid consistent with the Federal Travel Regulation, Chapter 302, and Departmental policy. Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. See "Other" section for additional information on 2017 Tax Cuts as related to Permanent Change in Station (PCS).

For additional information on WTA/RITA allowances and eligibilities, please visit:

https://www.gsa.gov/policy-regulations/regulations/federal-travel-regulation-ftr/i1182168#i1180710

Incentives:
Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees. If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive or Student Loan Repayment.

THIS IS A DRUG TESTING DESIGNATED POSITION in accordance with Executive Order 12564, and under the Department's Drug Free Workplace Program. 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.

Firefighter Special Retirement (Secondary Coverage): This is a secondary/administrative fire 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 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.

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.

RESUMES MUST NOT EXCEED TWO SINGLE SIDED PAGES AND RESUMES LONGER THAN THE TWO PAGES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

You will be evaluated based on how your application materials reflect the qualification requirements of this position. Once the application process is complete, HR will review your application to ensure you meet eligibility and minimum qualifications. To determine if you are minimally qualified for this position, HR will complete a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire.

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications requirement(s), The best qualified candidates will be identified through a structured panel review that will result in a ranking referral to the hiring manager. The assessment will measure the specialized experience and critical competencies and/or job elements listed below that are required to successfully perform in the position.

  • Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
  • Decision Making - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
  • Planning and Evaluating - Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.
  • Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

You are welcome to submit an optional cover letter.

In the evaluation process, due weight will be given to job related experience, education, training, incentive awards and performance appraisals. Applicants must have a performance rating of at least the equivalent of fully successful to be eligible for promotion or placement. Applicants may provide a copy of a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months. If the applicant is unable to provide a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months, the applicant may provide a written explanation as to why.

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