Helicopter Pilot

The incumbent supports the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) mission and programs in the Alaska Region by operating rotary aircraft in support biological, public use, subsistence, maintenance, etc.) and law enforcement; and supports natural resource conservation through logistics and assisting with data collection for scientific studies.

This position is open to status candidates under R7-24-12250797-RM-MP. You must apply separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitments.

Qualifications:

Only experience and education obtained by 01/10/2024 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements: Minimum Eligibility Requirements for positions in this occupation are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) helicopter pilot certificates and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements, and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the positions.

Certificates and Ratings: For all grade levels and specializations, candidates must possess a current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Helicopter Pilot Certificate or FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (or military or other acceptable certificate) and demonstrate possession of knowledge and skills required for the work by meeting minimum flight hour requirements, including flight experience. In addition, meet the following requirements: completed at least 1500 hours of total flight time which includes at least 250 hours of flight time as a Pilot-in-Command; at least 75 hours of night flight flying AND at least 100 hours of flying time within the last 12 months. In addition, must have at least 75 hours of instruments flight time. You must submit the required supporting documentation when applying for this position. Please include detailed summary of flight time per make/model aircraft.

Minimum Qualification GS-12

One year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal Service performing ALL of the following duties:

1. Conducting helicopter flights from designated Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airfields, non-designated landing sites, and unimproved/unprepared landing sites (gravel bars, beaches, ridge tops, etc.) in confined and isolated areas.
2. Administering helicopter preflight inspections, aircraft loading, and equipment assessments, and navigation.
3. Maintaining records, including: pilot training records, check ride expiration dates, flight hours, helicopter maintenance needs, helicopter inspection dates, and other information.

Resume review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume and other supporting documents to determine your qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. Your resume must demonstrate how you meet all aspects of the specialized experience statement.

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.

Responsibilities:

As a Helicopter Pilot your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serves as pilot-in-command of turbine and/or piston helicopters. Flight hours will depend on the organizational need and budgets, but for a full-time employee will generally average between 350 and 450 hours per year. A significant amount of this time involves personnel/cargo transport, wildlife surveys, and law enforcement patrols under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), often below 200 feet above ground level (AGL) over hazardous terrain.
• Keeps management apprised of all FAA, Office of Aircraft Services (OAS), Department of the Interior (DOI), and Service rules and regulations regarding operation of helicopters (public and private) associated with the FWS missions within the Region.
• Conduct other flying related duties which include: aircraft record keeping; coordination with other FWS pilots, the Regional Aviation Manager, Regional Aviation Training Manager, and OAS; initiation of cyclical and non-scheduled maintenance; refueling and fuel handling; lubrication and cleaning of aircraft; preflight and post-flight activities; weather briefings and flight planning; loading and unloading of helicopters; and de-icing and extensive preparations for winter flights.
• Maintains records, including: pilot training records, check ride expiration dates, flight hours, helicopter maintenance needs, helicopter inspection dates, and other information.
• Coordinate flight support or assist in emergency operations, including search and rescue, wildfire management, law enforcement, and
  emergency medical operations; provide support to law enforcement for criminal investigations; plan and coordinate logistical arrangements for field camps; and perform resource management projects including wildlife capture and tracking, population counts, vegetation studies, and erosion monitoring.