Fixed Wing Operations Specialist (Wildland Firefighter)

Full Job Description

This position is located within the Intermountain Region, Region 4.

Serves as an expert in fixed wing operations, responsible for regional direction and oversight of all fixed wing operations, fire suppression, transportation of personnel and cargo into remote areas, fixed wing crew training, facilities adequacy, and equipment suitability.

See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section for the specific contact information and location negotiable.

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-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-09) in the Federal Service; 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., (coursework must be directly related to the position being filled such as forestry, range management, agriculture); 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/54 quarter hours leading to a Ph.D.).

The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Examples of Specialized Experience are: Assisting in providing advice and assistance in all aspects of a fixed wing operations to a variety of interagency partners and cooperators.

Developing new procedures or techniques for application to particular fire and aviation management problems. Conducting field training of aircraft use in fire suppression and resource management.

For the GW-12: Applicants must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-11 grade level in the Federal Service.

Examples of Specialized Experience are: Planning and supervising fixed wing operations, evaluating ground facilities, and developing and conducting training; assisting in developing new or revised fire and aviation management plans, policies, technical guides, and standards; serving as an Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) Program Specialist or Air Tanker Base Manager (ATBM).

Selective Placement Factors: Must be a qualified as an agency pilot -OR- Airtanker Base Manager (ATBM) -OR- Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) and are currently qualified.

A current copy of the Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training document) which contains documented proof of certification and qualification for this requirement must be attached to the application.

Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) and Forest Service - Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) qualifications must be met by the time of selection.

Most recent IQCS master record and/or signed Agency Certified task book must be attached to your application.

If you are selected, you may be required to submit an updated IQCS master record or signed Agency Certified task book as proof of attainment of IFPM requirements prior to a final verbal offer.

In order to be considered for this position, copies of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training documents) which contain documented proof of the certification or attainment of the IFPM Selective Placement Factor for this position MUST be attached to your application.

Red cards are not acceptable documentation. Currency Requirement: Required to maintain currency once hired into the position. Currency of NWCG qualifications is not required for selection.

If not currently qualified, the applicant must provide documented evidence that they have been fully qualified in the past, and are able to regain currency within one year of being hired.

Failure to provide this documentation will result in disqualification.

This position has been identified as (HIGH) or (MODERATE) or (LOW) Complexity under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) or Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) and is subject to selective placement factor requirements contained in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard and Guide when filling this vacancy.

IFPM or FS-FPM selective placement factors are made up of a primary and secondary National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) core Incident Management Qualifications and Required Training.

The applicant must possess these qualifications at the applicable complexity level to be considered eligible for this position.

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.

Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. 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. Major Duties:

• Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-12 level.
• Applies regulatory and environmental principles in determining limitations on fixed wing aircraft use in natural resource operations.
• Develops, reviews, and analyzes new or proposed fixed wing aviation policies, procedures, and guidelines that impact a significant organizational segment of an agency.
• Assists in the development of fire and aviation management plans, policies, or programs. Serves as an advisor in all aspects of fixed wing operations, and in the interrelationships of fire management activities with other resource activities.
• Assists with the development and implementation of fixed wing guides, manuals, handbooks, standards and manuals.
• Develops and conducts training with interagency partners and cooperators.
• Participates in the implementation of aviation management program policies and procedures. Works closely with a variety of interagency partners and cooperators to coordinate activities.