Airplane Pilot (Wildland Firefighter)

Summary

THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. This type of announcement provides the USDA Forest Service with a readily available source of applicants when vacancies occur. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified when there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied. Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates applications are due for these locations can be found on the Forest Service website.

See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section for details.

Duties

Help

• Duties listed are at full performance grade GS-12 level.
• Pilots a variety of models at low altitudes and varying speeds over unfavorable terrain such as mountains, forests, or deserts, during both day and night conditions, to transport passengers and cargo among a variety of destinations.
• Serves as pilot-in-command on single engine land, light and/or multi-engine aircraft over unfavorable terrain such as mountains, forests, or deserts, during both day and night conditions.
• Serve as a technical advisor to the Regional Aviation Operations Manager/ Supervisory Pilot for single and/or multi-engine fixed-wing aircraft activities (WCF and contract) used by the agency for project and fire management work.
• Performs basic systems inspection on light single and/or twin-engine aircraft and/or heavy multi-engine aircraft to confirm that aircraft is ready for flight operations according to prescribed preflight checks.
• As the Aviation Contracting Officers Technical Expert regarding airplane contracts and contract pilots, serves as a technical leader in a specific subject matter area, providing definitive technical guidance to contractors.
• Serves as pilot-in-command for air transport of agency personnel and cargo, aerial supervision / Leadplane operations, and delivery of smokejumpers and paracargo.
• Gathers information, identifies and analyzes issues, and develops recommendations to resolve complex organizational problems or develop and implement organizational policies and procedures across major agency organizations.

Requirements

Help

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.
• Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
• Under age 40; less than age 40 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 40 and is requesting a waiver to the requirement.

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.

To receive consideration for these positions, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the time of applicant submission date.Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements.

Basic Requirement:

Certificates and Ratings: Must possess an FAA Airplane Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Airplane Multi-Engine Land ratings OR possess a current and valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Airplane Multi-Engine Land rating.

Medical Certificate: Must possess a current FAA first or second-class medical certificate. Must possess all necessary certificates and ratings and flight hours in the appropriate Category and Class (Airplane - Multi-Engine) as required.

Minimum Flight/Flying Experience:

GS-09: Applicants must possess a minimum of 1,200 total flight hours in airplanes, including 250 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC), 100 hours in multi-engine airplanes, 50 hours of night flight, and 50 hours of actual or simulated instrument time (with at least 5 hours actual in flight), plus 100 hours in airplanes within the preceding 12 months. All flight experience must be substantiated by complete, legible flight logs bearing the applicant's name, with entries clearly identifying aircraft type, flight conditions, PIC designation, and dates to verify compliance with these requirements.

GS-11 and GS-12: Applicants must possess a minimum of 1,500 total flight hours in airplanes, including 250 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC), 500 hours in multi-engine airplanes, 75 hours of night flight, and 75 hours of actual or simulated instrument time (with at least 10 hours actual in flight), plus 100 hours in airplanes within the preceding 12 months. All flight experience must be supported by complete and verifiable flight logs bearing the applicant's name, with entries clearly indicating aircraft type, flight conditions, PIC designation, and flight dates to confirm compliance with these requirements.

GS-12 only: In order to be considered for this position, you may be required to obtain and maintain a current FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate, as appropriate to the position held (Airplane) with Multi-Engine and Instrument Airplane Instruction ratings or the military equivalent rating.

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:

Under age 40 -OR- less than age 40 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- a veteran preference eligible, older than age 40 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement.

Age Requirements: For those who do not currently occupy a permanent Federal position covered under primary fire fighter retirement, you must be under age 40; less than age 40 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position; or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 40 and requesting a waiver to the requirement.

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a primary/rigorous 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

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

These positions are located on USDA Forest Service Fire and Aviation Unit. This position is established in the Regional Aviation Group, Fire and Aviation Management. The primary purpose of this position is to provide service to the agency as a special use and point-to-point agency pilot.

For additional information about the duties and location(s) of these positions, please contact regional representative: To see the different locations within the Regional Offices | US Forest Service (usda.gov)

Region 1: Northern Region, Missoula, MT - RoShane Bak

Region 2: Rocky Mountain Region, Broomfield, CO - Clark Hammond

Region 3: Southwestern Region, Mesa, AZ or Albuquerque, NM - Ronald Estes

Region 4: Intermountain Region, Ogden, UT - Colbey Richmond

Region 5: Pacific Southwest Region, Redding or San Bernardino, CA - Matt Smith

Region 6: Pacific Northwest Region, Redmond, OR - Anthony Johnson

Region 8: Southern Region, Lawrenceville, GA or Chattanooga, TN- Keith Hackbarth

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.

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 2025 SPECIAL RATE TABLE Number 0767. Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates.

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 OPM Website.

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.

Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE.

Forest Service daycare facilities may be available.

Government Housing may be available.

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.



Help

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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.