What are the responsibilities and job description for the Forest Aviation Officer (Wildland Firefighter). position at USDA Forest Service?
Duties
Conditions of Employment
In order to qualify, you must meet the
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
For the GS-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the Federal Service; 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.
Specialized experience is defined as: Assisting with providing oversight and management of aviation activities including fire detection, suppression, use of fire retardant, aerial non-fire projects. Conducting contract management, safety training, and risk assessment for aviation programs. Assisting with providing technical and administrative supervision for aviation programs.
For the GS-12: You must have one-year specialized of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 in the Federal service.
Specialized experience is defined as: Providing oversight and management of aviation activities including fire detection, suppression, use of fire retardant, and aerial non-fire projects. Conducting contract management, safety training, and risk assessment for aviation programs. Providing technical and administrative supervision for aviation programs. Conducting analysis of aircraft use to determine long term organizational and budgetary needs to meet Aviation expectations.
Must have 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 -OR- experience in aerial wildland fire suppression with fire retardant drops or air attacks (ATGS). 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 firefighter position under 5 USC 8336 (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history.
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 QUALIFICATION section for education requirement.
Additional information
For additional information about the duties and location(s) of these positions, please contact regional representative: To see the different locations within the
Region 6: Pacific Northwest Region - Jason Heinz at
Government housing, federal day care facilities, and telework may be available. This is dependent upon unit location.
The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the
Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.
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 on the
Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email
Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period (unless prior service is creditable). New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required new supervisory training program before the end of their probationary period.
New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required new supervisory training program within a year of the effective date of the position.
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 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 neither implied or guaranteed.
This is a non-bargaining unit covered position.
- Duties listed are at full performance grade GS-12 level.
- Responsible for the strategic oversight and safety management of all aviation operations; provides information and technical direction for all planned and continuing Forest aviation operations.
- Coordinates with Regional aviation management on Forest aviation operations, technical guidance, special projects for aviation support personnel, and other aviation related aspects; coordinates inspections of aviation facilities.
- Initiates procurement and oversight of aviation contract and support services; designated Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for the Forest's aviation contracts.
- Coordinates, plans, and establishes priorities for the Forest's aircraft use. Coordinates annual contract inspections of aircraft and pilots with Regional aviation inspectors.
- Provides technical and administrative supervision to the Forests Aviation Program; supervises the aviation modules, including subordinate supervisory positions, on multiple units.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
In order to qualify, you must meet the
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
For the GS-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the Federal Service; 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.
Specialized experience is defined as: Assisting with providing oversight and management of aviation activities including fire detection, suppression, use of fire retardant, aerial non-fire projects. Conducting contract management, safety training, and risk assessment for aviation programs. Assisting with providing technical and administrative supervision for aviation programs.
For the GS-12: You must have one-year specialized of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 in the Federal service.
Specialized experience is defined as: Providing oversight and management of aviation activities including fire detection, suppression, use of fire retardant, and aerial non-fire projects. Conducting contract management, safety training, and risk assessment for aviation programs. Providing technical and administrative supervision for aviation programs. Conducting analysis of aircraft use to determine long term organizational and budgetary needs to meet Aviation expectations.
Must have 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 -OR- experience in aerial wildland fire suppression with fire retardant drops or air attacks (ATGS). 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 firefighter position under 5 USC 8336 (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history.
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 QUALIFICATION section for education requirement.
Additional information
For additional information about the duties and location(s) of these positions, please contact regional representative: To see the different locations within the
Region 6: Pacific Northwest Region - Jason Heinz at
Government housing, federal day care facilities, and telework may be available. This is dependent upon unit location.
The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the
Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.
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 on the
Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email
Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period (unless prior service is creditable). New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required new supervisory training program before the end of their probationary period.
New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required new supervisory training program within a year of the effective date of the position.
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 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 neither implied or guaranteed.
This is a non-bargaining unit covered position.
- A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Salary : $73,939 - $115,213
