These positions will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit. Serves as an expert in aviation operations, responsible for direction/oversight of all fixed/rotor wing aerial operations, fixed wing crew training, evaluating equipment and ground facilities. See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION for Regional Representative contacts.

Duties

Duties listed are at full performance grade GS-12. Provides regional and national leadership and has program responsibility in the development and implementation of all policies, standards, and procedures to guide and control the whole range of complex aviation activities. Leads or participates with cadres, committees and work groups of aviation managers developing and recommending aviation related programs, plans, studies, and specific actions. Provides knowledge and perspective of on-the-ground resource managers' needs and requirements in air tankers and light fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, cargo delivery, helitack and rappelling, smokejumping, and paracargo. Applies knowledge of methods, organization, tactics, and costs; development of new or improved methods of utilizing aircraft for fire detection and suppression, and in analyzing aircraft capabilities in fire-connected missions Provides knowledge and perspective of on-the-ground resource managers' needs and requirements in forestry, and wildland firefighting related to support for aerial application of chemicals, aerial photography, aerial supervision. Provides advice and assistance to aviation technology, safety, and operational staff specialists from Forest Service aviation managers or professional aviator's perspective to integrate aviation programs. Manages administrative aspects of intra-agency aviation programs including aircraft fleet management, working capital fund coordination with Fiscal and Safety Staffs, and aircraft acquisition and refurbishment budgeting and planning. Provides interpretations of highly complex data, requirements, procedures, and regulations. Provides detailed technical advice and assistance, such as program and policy guidance, to individuals who are inside and outside of USDA FS. Applies expert technical knowledge in the management, development, protection, and utilization of forest and range resources to the formulation of aviation plans, direction, controls, and procurement of aviation resources. Applies expert knowledge of aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) through incorporating the elements of SMS into aviation planning and operations, including coordination with other National aviation offices, Regions, Stations, and Forests. May serve as chief investigator, qualified technical investigator or accident investigator on aviation accident investigations, reviews, and follows-up on actions. Administers or oversees service-wide aviation 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.
• 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. Specialized Experience Requirement: GS-11: Examples of Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to a GS-09. Examples of specialized experience include Assisted with the execution of aviation operations and researching and applying regulations and procedures of a wide range of aviation activities for aerial supervision and resource management. Works closely with internal and external partners for a wide range of aviation matters. Recommended on a limited basis aviation related program, plans, studies, specific actions, and provided perspectives of on-the-ground resource needs and requirements for aerial supervision, air tankers, and light fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and cargo delivery. Serves as an Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) and Air Tactical Supervisor (AITS).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.,(coursework must be directly related to the position being filled such as forestry, range management, agriculture); 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/54 quarter hours leading to a Ph.D.). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. GS-12: Examples of Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to a GS-11. Examples include Planning and oversight of fixed wing operations, fixed wing crew training, and evaluating equipment and ground facilities. Develops, reviews, and recommends new or proposed fixed wing policies, plans, policies or programs. Serves as a subject matter expert and advisor for fixed wing aviation management challenges. Serving as an Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) and Air Tactical Supervisor (AITS). 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. Selective Placement Factors 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. Must possess a valid State Driver's License. Must possess primary NWCG Core Requirements of Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) and Air Tactical Supervisor (AITS) and are currently qualified. A current copy of the Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training document) which contains documented proof of certification and qualification for this requirement must be attached to the application. Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) and Forest Service - Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) qualifications must be met by the time of selection. Most recent IQCS master record and/or signed Agency Certified task book must be attached to your application. If you are selected, you may be required to submit an updated IQCS master record or signed Agency Certified task book as proof of attainment of IFPM requirements prior to a final verbal offer. In order to be considered for this position, copies of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training documents) which contain documented proof of the certification or attainment of the IFPM Selective Placement Factor for this position MUST be attached to your application. Red cards are not acceptable documentation. Currency Requirement: Required to maintain currency once hired into the position. Currency of NWCG qualifications is not required for selection. If not currently qualified, the applicant must provide documented evidence that they have been fully qualified in the past, and are able to regain currency within one year of being hired. Failure to provide this documentation will result in disqualification. This position has been identified as High or Moderate or Low Complexity under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) or Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) and is subject to selective placement factor requirements contained in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard and Guide when filling this vacancy. IFPM or FS-FPM selective placement factors are made up of a primary and secondary National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) core Incident Management Qualifications and Required Training. The applicant must possess these qualifications at the applicable complexity level to be considered eligible for this position. 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.

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]