Wildland Firefighter (Aviation) (Unit Aviation Manager) - Direct Hire Authority

Office of the Secretary of the Interior • Baker City, OR

5d

About The Position

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service is hiring Wildland Firefighter (Aviation) (Unit Aviation Manager) positions at the GW-0456-11 level. Positions are listed for Baker City, Burbank, Hines, Medford, Roseburg, Springfield, Vale, and Wenatchee. The Unit Aviation Manager manages the unit’s aviation program, including budgets, daily operations, planning, and oversight of aviation resources. The position serves as the primary liaison for agency aircraft use and ensures compliance with Federal Aviation Administration, Department, and Bureau aviation rules. It also oversees aviation contracts, leads aviation safety and training, and performs supervisory duties.

The work is primarily sedentary and generally takes place in an office, but the incumbent must be fit enough to work during extended stress and in the field during wildland fire situations. Extended fire assignments away from the unit may be required during fire season. Field work can involve temperature extremes, falling trees, smoke, dust, and other hazards; protective clothing and safety practices are required. Occasional overnight travel may be required. The position is suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen or National and suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Submit to a drug test and receive a negative result before appointment; the position is also subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• Hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license throughout employment.
• Wear the official U.S. Wildland Fire Service uniform.
• Meet any required one-year probationary period; selectees who have not completed a supervisory probationary period must serve a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period.
• If assigned male at birth after December 31, 1959, be registered for the Selective Service.
• Obtain a government charge card for travel purposes if required.
• Possess primary/rigorous wildland firefighting experience gained through fire-line work in containment, control, suppression, or use of wildland fire. Document the experience in the resume, including dates and hours per week. Eligibility requires either at least one full fire season in a primary wildland firefighting role or at least 14 days of on-the-ground fire-line experience, cumulative or consecutive.
• Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-09 level or higher in Federal service, or at least one year equivalent to the GW-10 level or higher outside Federal service. Specialized experience includes managing wildland fire aviation operations across multiple aircraft types and mission needs; applying aviation safety principles and fire behavior knowledge to incident aviation decisions; developing and interpreting aviation plans, procedures, and policy; working with Federal aviation regulations and coordinating airspace with aviation and military partners; and administering aviation contracts, evaluating contractors, and integrating new aviation technologies.
• Provide a written description of direct wildland firefighting experience to meet the secondary firefighter retirement coverage requirement; education alone does not meet this requirement.
• Meet all minimum qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Be able to meet the physical fitness demands of work during extended stress and in the field during wildland fire situations.

Responsibilities

• Manage the unit’s aviation program, including budgets, daily operations, planning, and oversight of aviation resources.
• Serve as the main liaison for agency aircraft use and ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration, Department, and Bureau aviation rules.
• Oversee aviation contracts as the designated contracting representative, coordinate with contractors, and evaluate contractor performance.
• Lead the aviation safety and training program by assessing training needs, providing instruction, conducting investigations, and enforcing safety standards.
• Assign work, review performance, address minor disciplinary issues, and foster an inclusive work environment.
• Operate a government or private motor vehicle as part of official duties.
• Participate in the hearing conservation program at the local unit if required.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Basic moving expenses may be authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station, subject to Federal Travel Regulation requirements.
• A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered to eligible and qualified applicants on a case-by-case basis; it is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed