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Aviation Management Specialist (Regional Fixed-Wing) (Wildland Firefighter)

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in Region 4 Intermountain Region.

The incumbent is responsible for developing and recommending aviation objectives, plans, policies, standards, and procedures for airtanker, aerial supervision, and aircraft coordination programs.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact - Celeste Holder at celeste.holder@usda.gov

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/21/2025 to 07/30/2025
Salary
$96,598 to - $145,220 per year
Pay scale & grade
GW 12 - 13
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel overnight on fire suppression, fire related assignments, meetings and/or training for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
25-FIRE-PXR4-FWPM-1213DH
Control number
841111000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

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Duties

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  • Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-13 level.
  • Responsible for providing technical and programmatic oversight for fixed-wing operations in the Region primarily for wildfire. Plans and supervises fixed wing operations, evaluates ground facilities, and develops and conducts training.
  • Development of new or improved methods of utilizing aircraft for fire detection and suppression, and in analyzing aircraft capabilities in fire-connected missions.
  • Serves as the principal advisor in the development and implementation of policies, programs, and standard practices for fixed-wing operations and specialized aviation projects.
  • Develops, reviews, and analyzes new or proposed fixed wing aviation policies, procedures, and guidelines that impact a significant organizational segment of an agency.
  • Conducts and leads reviews and inspections of Forest Service facilities and operations to assure adherence to agency policies, contract requirements, and operational plans.
  • This position supervises multiple employees.

Requirements

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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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GW-12: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-11) in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience are: Assisting in developing new or proposed aviation policies, procedures, and guidelines; participating with committees and work groups of aviation managers in developing and recommending aviation-related programs, plans, studies, and specific actions; and/or providing advice and assistance to aviation technology, safety, and operational staff specialists to integrate aviation programs.

For the GW-13: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-12) in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience are: Advising and consulting with employees, contractors and cooperators to assist in the evaluation and implementation of proposed complex regulatory changes in aviation management; developing and implementing all policies, standards, and procedures to guide and control the whole range of complex, often unique and hazardous aviation activities supporting resource management and protection programs; and/or serving as a qualified technical investigator on aviation accident investigations, reviews, and follows-up on actions.

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

There are no educational requirement for this position.

Additional information

Position(s) will be located at a Forest Office within Region 4. Final determination of the duty station will be made by the selecting official at the time of the job offer. To see where Region 4 Forest Service offices are located, click here

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.

Government housing, federal day care facilities, and telework may be available.

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) Wildland Firefighters under Pay Plan GW. 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 at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-and-leave-flexibilities-for-recruitment-and-retention/

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 SM.FS.asc_tos@usda.gov

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 position.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position.

Selections made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given a new appointment.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12765040

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