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Wildland Firefighter (Regional Helicopter Program Specialist)

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service

Summary

This position is located in the PACIFIC SOUTHWEST REGION, REGION 5.

The primary purpose of the position is fire prevention and wildland fire management. This position is responsible for development, implementation and administration of the unit's Fire Prevention Program and also functions in initial attack fire suppression.

See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Section for location representative details.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/10/2026 to 03/19/2026
Salary
$97,564 to - $146,671 per year
Pay scale & grade
GW 12 - 13
Locations
MANY vacancies in the following locations:
Chester, CA
Fresno, CA
Lancaster, CA
Nevada City, CA
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.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
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-P3R5-HELIPRM-1213DH
Control number
860437600

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-13.
  • Serves as the principle advisor in the development and implementation of policies, programs, and standard practices for helicopter operations and specialized aviation projects.
  • Provides oversight in the planning, development, and performance of specialized missions for the Forest Service and cooperator units in the use of helicopters to perform high risk missions.
  • Represents aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) in committees or work groups involving several Regions or agencies to assure that safety concerns and operational standards are adequately provided for in policy.
  • Recommends the establishment or revision of agency standards and procedures as appropriate to facilitate efficiencies and enhance safety.
  • Prepares reports documenting findings and recommendations. Prepares comprehensive reports to include technical and detailed analysis.
  • Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships and partnerships with State, local government and Federal land management agencies. Coordinates with these partners to achieve common goals.

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).
  • 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

On 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:

GW-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-11 grade level. Specialized experience is experience that demonstrates a knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position to be filled.

Examples of specialized experience include: Assisting and administering a helicopter operations program and has served as an advisor on all helicopter administrative and technical matters. Provides advice on aviation safety operations and on the implementation of aviation policies, and procedures, evaluates ground facilities, and assists with developing and conducting training programs for aviation and non-aviation personnel, and has participated in inspections of facilities and operations. Participated in the development and recommendation of contract specifications. Have served as the technical representative or Contract Officer Representative (COR).

GW-13: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-12 grade level. Specialized experience is experience that demonstrates a knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position to be filled.

Examples of specialized experience include: Providing operational oversight for helicopter operations and wildfire and project activities. Providing technical direction for aviation safety operations and providing advice on the implementation of aviation policies, procedures, and requirements for helicopter operations and specialized aviation projects, including high risk missions. Assisting with the planning and coordination of training programs for aviation and non-aviation personnel, and leading inspections of facilities and operations.

Selective Placement Factors

Experience performing on-the-line (Primary/Rigorous) wildland fire suppression duties as a member of an organized fire suppression crew or comparable unit that utilized knowledge of wildland fire suppression, containment or control techniques and practices under various conditions. This experience must be documented with specific dates in the online application or resume.
OR
Aerial wildland fire suppression experience such as: delivery of fire retardants or suppressants via fixed or rotor wing aircraft; aerial ignition (helitorch or Plastic Sphere Dispenser - PSD), smokejumper operations, helitack or aerial supervision operations (Air Tactical, Aerial Supervision Module - ASM, Helicopter Coordinator - HLCO), fire retardant drops or air attacks (ATGS). Documentation must include, specific WLFF duties, dates; including reference names, and current phone numbers for verification.

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 position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System.

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

LOCATION NEGOTIABLE AFTER SELECTION: Selecting the "Location Negotiable After Selection" option as well as selecting your preferred duty location(s), during the application process implies your willingness to accept a position in any duty location listed on this particular announcement. Selecting the Location Negotiable After Selection option, along with any specific duty locations, is encouraged as an opportunity to increase your chances of being considered and receiving an offer.

Region 5: Pacific Southwest Region - Brian Grabowski - brian.grabowski@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.

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.

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 not guaranteed.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Forest Service daycare facilities may be available. Government Housing may be available.

This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.


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 at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-and-leave-flexibilities-for-recruitment-and-retention/

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.

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/12897615

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