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Posted: January 13, 2026 (2 days ago)

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Aviation Management Specialist (Wildland Firefighter)

Forest Service

Department of Agriculture

Fresh

Salary

$97,564 - $146,671

per year

Closes

January 22, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job involves leading the creation of policies, plans, and procedures for using aircraft in managing and protecting national forests, especially for wildfire response and resource protection.

It requires hands-on experience in wildland firefighting and aviation operations to ensure safety and efficiency in these high-risk activities.

A good fit would be someone with prior firefighting background and expertise in aviation management who enjoys working on teams to improve forest protection strategies.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience at GW-11 level (for GW-12) or GW-12 level (for GW-13) in aviation policy development and program integration
  • Prior wildland firefighting experience required for secondary firefighter retirement coverage
  • Knowledge of aviation safety, operations, and regulatory compliance in resource management
  • Ability to lead committees and work groups for developing aviation programs, plans, and studies
  • Experience in evaluating aviation activities for conformance, cost-effectiveness, and safety
  • Familiarity with forest fire protection methods, tactics, and aircraft utilization for detection and suppression
  • Qualification as a technical investigator for aviation accidents and follow-up actions

Full Job Description

This position is located within the Pacific Northwest Region, Region 6 in Redmond, OR.

The incumbent is responsible for developing and recommending aviation objectives, plans, policies, standards, and procedures for the full range of aviation programs in support of National Forest System resource management and protection activities.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please see the ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section below.

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 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-11 level.

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 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-12 level.

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. Major Duties:

  • Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-13 level.
  • Provides national leadership and program responsibility in the development and implementation of all policies, standards, and procedures to guide/control the wide range of aviation activities supporting resource management and protection programs.
  • Leads or participates with committees and work groups of aviation managers developing and recommending aviation related programs, plans, studies, and specific actions.
  • Participates in or leads FAM program and activity reviews to evaluate conformance with Service-wide direction, responsiveness of aviation programs, management needs, opportunities, cost-effectiveness, and safety.
  • Applies knowledge of forest fire protection resources, methods, organization, tactics, and costs; development of new or improved methods of utilizing aircraft for fire detection and suppression.
  • Represents aviation management in more broadly-based committees or work groups involving several staff groups, Regions, Stations, Area, Forests, or agencies to assure that aviation concerns and interests are adequately provided.
  • Manages, develops, protects, and utilizes forest and range resources to the formulation of aviation plans, direction, controls, and procurement of aviation resources to support functional natural resource activities.
  • Coordinates aviation safety and accident prevention matters.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/13/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/13/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 26-FIRE-P2R6-AMS-1213DH