This position will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit within the Pacific Northwest Region, Region 6. This position is responsible for providing expert technical knowledge and leadership in the field of rappelling and related aviation and wildland fire suppression operations. See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION for Regional contact.
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. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GW-10 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least to the GW-9 grade level; 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., if related; 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 hours leading to a Ph.D.). Examples of Specialized Experience are: Assisting in implementing helicopter service contracts and enforcing contract provisions. Assisting in aviation program and plan implementation and development. Directing initial and extended attack suppression actions such as determining incident needs, and dispatch/deployment of personnel and equipment. For the GS-11 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least to the GW-10 grade level; 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., if related; 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 hours leading to a Ph.D.). Examples of Specialized Experience are: Assisting in developing helicopter service contracts and enforcing contract provisions. Assisting in directing and coordinating aviation and helicopter rappel operations in support of fire suppression activities. Assessing various fire management factors such as aviation, fuels, suppression capability, resistance to control, ignition probability, predicted rate of spread, and flame height and weather. 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 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. WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS, MODERATE, or LIGHT level is a condition of employment. To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Duties listed are at full performance grade GW- 11 level.
Plans and administers a diverse range of complex aviation field and program operations. Participates in the formulation, development and execution of rappel operations.
Determines and monitors resources needed to implement plans; and ensures the program is in compliance. As required may serve as a district/zone forest duty officer and may oversee fixed wing operations at the base.
Provides technical and administrative supervision, plans/assigns work, and evaluates work performance.
Performs human resource functions to furthering Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and nondiscriminatory practices. Provides leadership in the fire safety and health program; evaluates risk and identifies safety requirements.
Performs day to day contract administration, responsible for financial management, and enforcing helicopter contract provisions.
Serves as instructor responsible for planning, administering, developing and implementing wildland firefighting and aviation management operations.