This position is located Region 5, Pacific Southwest Region. The incumbent is responsible for developing/recommending objectives, plans, policies, standards, and procedures for the Regional Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program with a primary focus on fire and will also support resource management. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Joshua R. Mathiesen at [email protected]

Duties

Duties listed are at full performance grade GS-12 level. Apply knowledge of forest fire protection resources, methods, organization, tactics, and costs; development of new or improved methods of utilizing aircraft for fire detection and suppression. Develop, review, and analyze new or proposed UAS aviation policies, procedures, and guidelines that impact a significant organizational segment of an agency. Responsible for the oversight of Regional Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilots. Ensure certifications are in accordance with the FAA 14 CFR 107 and Forest Service Standards for UAS Operations. Administer the Regional Unmanned Aircraft Systems operations program and serves as principal advisor on Unmanned Aircraft Systems administrative and technical matters. Plan and supervise Unmanned Aircraft Systems operations, evaluates ground facilities, and develops and conducts training. Assist in the development of fire and aviation management plans, policies, or programs.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions.
• Minimum of 90 days of 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 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. Basic Requirement: 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. Minimum eligibility requirements for this position are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificate, and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the position. Refer to How You Will Be Evaluated section for additional information. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: GS-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least to the GS-9 grade level; OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related; 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 for the GS-11: Assist with the oversight of Unmanned Aircraft Systems operations; Make recommendations for certification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems pilots; Participate in the implementation of national program policy and procedures in wildland fire suppression and resource management operations; Evaluate effectiveness of programs through quality assurance reviews of aviation operations. GS-12: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Examples of specialized experience for the GS-12: Independently planning and supervising Unmanned Aircraft Systems operations, evaluating ground facilities, and developing and conducting training. Assisting in the development of fire and aviation management plans, policies, or programs. Administer the Unmanned Aircraft Systems operations program and serve as a principal advisor on Unmanned Aircraft Systems administrative and technical matters. Advise for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems program and provide assistance to cooperating state and federal agencies. Selective Placement Factors To qualify at the GS-11 and GS-12, the applicant must possess a valid Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Remote Pilot certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under 14 CFR 107. A minimum 90 days 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. 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. WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS, MODERATE, or LIGHT level is a condition of employment. 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

Contacts

• Address USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT Albuquerque, NM 87109 US
• Name: HRM Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-372-7248 X2
• Email: [email protected]