Aviation Manager (Program Manager) -Direct Hire Authority

Office of the Secretary of the Interior•Fairbanks, AK

About The Position

The Aviation Manager serves within the Alaska Geographic Area of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS), providing senior-level aviation management guidance and coordinating aviation safety, operations, investigations, training, and compliance across USWFS units and assigned Department of the Interior agencies. The aviation program supports wildland fire suppression through aviation management expertise and coordination. The full performance level is GW-13; positions may be filled at a lower grade, with possible noncompetitive promotion subject to supervisory discretion, satisfactory performance, regulatory requirements, and availability of higher-level work. Promotion is not guaranteed. The announcement covers four program areas: UAS, Helicopter, Aviation Safety and Training, and Fixed Wing. Duties vary by program. UAS work supports safe integration and use of unmanned aircraft in wildland fire and all-hazard missions. Helicopter work supports rotor-wing activities such as helitack, aerial ignition, short-haul, hoist, cargo transport, and other special-use missions. Aviation Safety and Training work includes safety reviews, hazard and risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and aviation training, qualification, and standardization programs. Fixed Wing work includes aircraft utilization and mission planning for aerial supervision, reconnaissance, transport, and other aviation missions. Across program areas, the manager ensures aviation programs operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable Department of the Interior, Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and U.S. Forest Service policies and regulations. The manager develops and evaluates safety training, identifies deficiencies and corrective actions, supports accident prevention and investigations, develops and updates aviation policies and materials, evaluates new technologies, conducts needs assessments, supports budget planning, monitors funding and resource allocation, and reviews Project Aviation Safety Plans and mission risks. The work is primarily sedentary and performed in an office or meeting-room setting, with intermittent physical exertion during field inspections or accident and incident investigations. Field work may involve long walks over rough terrain in high temperatures, extended assignments at remote airports, heliports, and field camps, and inspections of aviation operations on wildland fires, prescribed fires, or other resource-management activities. Substantial travel to meetings and remote field locations is common, sometimes for assignments up to two weeks. Travel may be by aircraft, ground vehicle, horseback, or on foot. The position is suitable for telework with supervisory approval. Employees must wear a uniform and comply with USWFS fire uniform standards.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National and suitable for Federal employment based on a background investigation.
Must submit to and receive a negative drug test before appointment; subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
Must serve a one-year probationary period.
Must wear a uniform and comply with USWFS fire uniform standards.
Must possess primary/rigorous wildland firefighting experience: either at least one full fire season in a primary wildland firefighting role, or at least 14 days of cumulative or consecutive on-the-ground fireline experience. This experience must be clearly documented in the resume; an IQCS Master Record or equivalent will not be used to calculate eligibility.
For GW-12: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 or higher, including technical guidance for aviation operations; developing and implementing aviation resource training and qualification programs; working with interagency partners on aviation concerns and objectives; reviewing aviation incident reports; and developing and implementing aviation safety and risk-management work.
For GW-13: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS/GW-12 or higher, including performance on actual fire-suppression support missions; management of aerial firefighting activities; aviation operations involving fixed-wing, rotor-wing, and/or UAS capabilities; program policy development; evaluation of safe and cost-effective aviation resource use; and experience with Bureau and Department financial, contracting, and budgeting policies, aviation cost studies, analytical evaluations, and aviation contract input.
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for the position of interest by the announcement closing date; only experience and education obtained by 11/16/2026 will be considered.
Must have prior service in a primary position (three years in primary/rigorous positions) and meet the transfer requirement from a primary to a secondary position to qualify for special firefighter retirement coverage; applicants are responsible for providing information needed to determine retirement status.
Individuals assigned male at birth after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
Must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.

Responsibilities

Provide senior-level aviation management guidance and coordinate aviation safety, operations, investigations, training, and compliance across USWFS units and assigned Department of the Interior agencies.
Ensure aviation programs operate safely and efficiently and comply with applicable Department of the Interior, FAA, NTSB, and U.S. Forest Service policies and regulations.
Develop and oversee aviation safety training programs; evaluate performance, identify deficiencies, recommend corrective actions, and improve safety practices.
Support accident prevention, safety reviews, investigations, and high-risk aviation operations by identifying hazards and recommending risk-mitigation measures.
Develop, review, and update aviation policies, procedures, safety bulletins, manuals, and training materials.
Evaluate new aviation technologies and coordinate their procurement, implementation, training, and use.
Conduct aviation needs assessments, develop cost estimates, support budget planning, and monitor aviation funding and resource allocation.
Review Project Aviation Safety Plans and assess aviation mission risks to ensure appropriate mitigation and compliance with established standards.
For UAS program assignments, support safe UAS integration and use in wildland-fire and all-hazard missions and ensure compliance with policies, FAA requirements, and interagency standards.
For helicopter program assignments, provide technical guidance on safe and compliant rotor-wing operations and evaluate operational effectiveness.
For aviation safety and training assignments, conduct safety reviews and risk assessments; develop, manage, and evaluate aviation training, qualification, and standardization programs.
For fixed-wing program assignments, evaluate aircraft utilization, support mission planning, and ensure operations meet aviation policies, standards, and safety requirements.
For GW-13-level work, manage aerial firefighting activities, evaluate safe and cost-effective use of aviation resources, and contribute to aviation policy, cost studies, analytical evaluations, and contract input.