Physician (Aviation Medicine)
Federal Aviation Administration
Posted: March 5, 2026 (0 days ago)
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Office of the Secretary of the Interior
Department of the Interior
Location
Salary
$103,225 - $182,034
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Inspection & Compliance jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves ensuring the safety and compliance of helicopter operations for the Department of the Interior, focusing on missions that protect natural resources like national parks and support communities in Alaska.
The role requires hands-on experience as a helicopter pilot and instructor, including conducting flight checks and evaluations to maintain high safety standards.
It's a great fit for experienced rotary-wing pilots with a background in resource management flights who enjoy a mix of office work, hangar duties, and outdoor flying in challenging environments.
The Department of the Interior is devoted to protecting and preserving the natural resources of this great nation, including National Parks, Landmarks, and the well-being of communities, including those of Native American, Alaska Natives and affiliated Islanders.
Minimum Qualifications: To qualify for this position, you must meet the (1) Aviation Operations (Rotary Wing) Requirements and (2) Specialized Experience for the grade to which you are applying.
(1) Aviation Operations (Rotary Wing) Requirements: Valid second-class (or greater) medical certificate. Valid, unexpired *Flight Instructor Certificate with Rotorcraft Helicopter ratings.
*Applicants who possess an alternate Flight Instructor Certificate rating, i.e., a Flight Instructor Certificate with Airplane ratings, may be considered; however, appropriate Rotorcraft Helicopter ratings must be obtained within 90 days of employment.
Failure to obtain the required certification may result in termination. Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating with Instrument or Airline Transport Pilot with Helicopter Rating.
No more than 2 flying accidents in the last 5 years in which the applicant's error was involved. Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours. Possess 1200 hours of Pilot in Command (PIC) time in category.
25 hours PIC night in category. Minimum of 100 flight hours PIC Turbine Powered Helicopters. NOTE: Please include any previous experience flown as a PIC.
Your application and/or resume must contain all mandatory flight requirements listed. Failure to include the information will result in an ineligible rating.
You are required to submit proof of the certificates and ratings with your initial application. Failure to provide documentation will result in disqualification from consideration for this position.
(2) Specialized Experience To qualify for the GS-12, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service.
Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to work of the position to be filled.
Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Operational experience flying rotor-wing aircraft in natural resource missions; AND 2) Administering flight checks in for rotor-wing aircrafts.
MUST MEET ALL To qualify for the GS-13, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service.
Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to work of the position to be filled.
Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Operational experience flying rotor-wing aircraft in natural resource missions; 2) Administering flight checks in rotor-wing aircraft; AND 3) Conducting rotor-wing pilot proficiency evaluations.
MUST MEET ALL YOUR RESUME MUST INCLUDE A CLEAR AND DETAILED NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION, IN YOUR OWN WORDS, OF HOW YOU MEET THE REQUIRED SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE.
Additional Requirements Driver's License: You must possess a valid Alaska or other state driver's license.
** You may be required to operate a government motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid Alaska or other state driver's license.
**You are required to submit proof of the driver's license with your initial application.
Additional Information Work Environment: The work is performed in an office setting, aircraft hangars, aircraft cockpits, and outdoors.
When pilot check flights are performed and actual emergency conditions are simulated, the employee may be subjected to considerable stress and extreme heat or cold weather conditions.
Physical Demands: The work requires moderate physical activity of short duration such as associated with flying in adverse weather conditions and when evaluating advance pilot skills in special use or low- level investigation missions.
Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Major Duties:
This position is located within the Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S.
Wildland Fire Service (USWFS), to be filled in Anchorage, AK; Atlanta, GA; Bangor, ME; Boise, ID; Denver, CO; Homestead, FL; Houston, TX; New Orleans, LA or Sacramento, CA.
At the full performance level (GS-13) the major duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: 1.
Evaluates the capabilities of private contractors to perform point-to-point, investigation, special use and precision reconnaissance flights and issues initial qualification cards for mission specific applications, of which, requires advanced pilot skills and maneuvers.
2. Provides technical aviation assistance to the Department of Interior's Bureaus and Offices for evolving or changing programs that require aircraft support. 3.
Maintains a program of recurring visits involving personal contacts with Bureau personnel supervising operations and aviation operators providing contractual services. 4.
Evaluates qualifications of employees responsible for management and technical supervision of aircraft operations, capability of management's control of aircraft operations, government and operator working relationships, and level of user-Bureau satisfaction with services provided by WFS.
5.
Leads or conducts surveillance and inspection of DOI's fleet aircraft and contractor maintenance facilities, to ensure compliance with department regulations, contract specifications, and quality control plans.
6. Serves as the Team Member for the aircraft rental agreement renewal process for all contractor and cooperating Federal, State, and local agency aviation operations for an assigned geographical area.
7. Serves as the point of contact for arranging the inspection and coordinating with WFS authorized inspectors and the Forest Service. The U.S.
Wildland Fire Service has determined that the duties of this position has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
This position is included in a bargaining unit. The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), Local 2052, is the exclusive representative of all employees in this bargaining unit.
Travel: You may be expected to travel for site visits, meetings, training, conferences and field visits.
The travel requirement is generally higher from January through June and may require 10 or more nights per month. Travel is significantly less July through December.
Salary Information (Per Annum): Anchorage, AK GS-12: $124,145 - $161,392 GS-13: $147,626 - $191,916 Atlanta, GA GS-12: $113,930 - $148,112 GS-13: $135,478 - $176,124 Bangor, MA, Boise, ID and New Orleans, LA GS-12: $110,871 - $144,136 GS-13: $131,841 - $171,396 Denver, CO and Sacramento, CA GS-12: $117,753 - $153,082 GS-13: $140,025 - $182,034 Homestead, FL GS-12: $116,224 - $151,094 GS-13: $138,206 - $179,670 Houston, TX GS-12: $103,225 - $134,195 GS-13: $122,749 - $159,575 First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the lower salary range of the grade level.
This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available.
This vacancy is also announced as WFS-1060-26-ETA-019(MP) for those applicants who wish to apply and be considered under Merit Promotion procedures.
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