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

• 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

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.

• 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.

• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

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.

To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the APPLY BY DATE and/or closing date of this announcement.

Education

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience.

Region 1: Northern Region, Missoula, MT - RoShane Bak
Region 2: Rocky Mountain Region, Broomfield, CO - Clark Hammond or Dennis Fogel
Region 3: Southwestern Region, Mesa, AZ or Albuquerque, NM - Ronald Estes
Region 4: Intermountain Region, Ogden, UT or McCall, ID - Ben Newburn
Region 5: Pacific Southwest Region, Redding, Lancaster, or San Bernardino, CA - Matt Smith
Region 6: Pacific Northwest Region, Redmond, OR - Shalyn Whitson
Region 8: Southern Region, Lawrenceville, GA or Chattanooga, TN- Keith Hackbarth