Wildland Firefighter (Aviation) (Assistant Airtanker Base Manager)-Direct Hire Authority

Created at: November 22, 2025 00:14

Company: Bureau of Land Management

Location: Vale, OR, 97918

Job Description:

This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans' preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. These positions are located in, Cedar City, UT, Salt Lake City, UT or Tooele, UT. and Vale, OR. Information about these locations can be found by clicking on the location name listed.
Specialized Experience Requirements: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement; please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled. To qualify for the GW-07 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to GS/GW-06 is required. Examples of work experience include but are not limited to: Experience that demonstrates an understanding of aerial retardant and base activities in support of wildland fire suppression, management and administration of various contracts, and oversight and support of various aircraft at the base. Examples of experience may include: 1) Performing duties which provided an understanding of aviation safety and retardant aircraft limitations that ensure individual aircraft weight limitations are not exceeded and effective product is delivered to meet fire management objectives. 2) Assisting in aerial retardant base maintenance activities that assure base buildings, grounds, and equipment are in a safe working condition and assists with base plans that address compliance with environmental protocols. To qualify for the GW-08 grade level, 1 year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to GS/GW-07 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: Experience must demonstrate an understanding of aerial retardant and base activities in support of wildland fire suppression, management and administration of various contracts, and oversight and support of various aircraft at the base Examples of experience may include: 1) Participating in planning, scheduling and monitoring of all flights and resources utilizing an airtanker or SEAT base to include receiving and confirming all pertinent flight information for mission safety and efficiency. 2) Performing contract administration of multiple aviation and retardant contracts to ensure conformance to contract specifications. 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. Substitution of Education for Experience: There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-07/08 grade levels for this position. Selective Placement Factor(s): This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified. You must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management (qualifications to be considered eligible for this position), current not required: A. GW-08 requirement - must have Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT) or Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM). You must meet all qualification and selective placement factor requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Physical Demands: Long irregular hours are required, much of it occurring during periods of fire operations. Frequent standing walking and long periods outside in high temperatures and direct sunlight may be required while working around multiple arriving and departing aircraft. Work in an office environment and long periods of sedentary work. Lifting and carrying heavy equipment/materials and operating a variety of hand and poser tool is required, Work Environment: Majority of activities are performed in an airbase environment, both inside and outdoors. Extreme variations in temperature and climactic conditions are common. Work requires use of safety equipment including hearing and eye protection and high visibility clothing. The work involves exposure to operating aircraft that result in high noise levels and exposure to turning propellers, prop wash, jet intake areas and jet blast, and flying dues and debris. This is a secondary/administrative firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age policy, the selectee must have prior service in a primary position (3 years of service in primary/rigorous position(s)) and meet the transfer requirement for movement from a primary to secondary position to be eligible for special retirement coverage. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your SF-50). YOU MUST LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN A PRIMARY POSITION. FACT SHEET for Fire Positions: Information on Special Retirement.
Monitors and assesses aviation operations and base activities for compliance with established policy, guidelines, and regulations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective aviation operations.
In the absence of the air base manager, serves as a point of contact with airport management, contractor’s representatives, public affairs, and various federal, state, and local entities, pertaining to aviation operations at the base.
Participates in planning, scheduling and monitoring of all flights and resources utilizing the air base.
Identifies and coordinates logistical needs for base support, a variety of incoming aircraft types and transient air crews.
Oversees the mixing and loading of fire chemicals to ensure that individual aircraft weight limitations are not exceeded, and effective product is delivered.
Coordinates with other air bases to identify needs, and to administer contract requirements.
Ensures safe operations of aviation and ground support activities including radio and hand signal communication, aircraft movement, fueling, retardant mixing and loading, and vehicle movement on the ramp.
Participates in daily informational briefings to aviation resources assigned to the base and providing daily risk assessments for planned and anticipated operations.
Maintain training records and documentation for required base operations.
Leads aviation firefighting personnel by directing their activities when supporting suppression actions associated with wildland fires.


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