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Posted: January 9, 2026 (6 days ago)

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Supervisory Airplane Pilot (Wildland Firefighter)

Forest Service

Department of Agriculture

Fresh

Salary

$131,841 - $171,396

per year

Closes

June 26, 2026

GS-13 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $88,520 - $115,079

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-12. Expert-level knowledge in field.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves leading a team as a pilot flying multi-engine airplanes to support wildland firefighting efforts, such as transporting crews or dropping water on fires in remote areas.

It's a supervisory role in the U.S. Forest Service based in Phoenix, Arizona, where you'll ensure safe operations during high-stakes missions.

A good fit would be an experienced commercial pilot with firefighting background who thrives in demanding outdoor environments and enjoys mentoring others.

Key Requirements

  • FAA Airplane Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Airplane Multi-Engine Land ratings, or FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate
  • Current FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate with Multi-Engine and Instrument Airplane Instruction ratings (or military equivalent)
  • Current FAA first or second-class medical certificate
  • Minimum 1500 total flight hours in airplanes, including 250 hours as Pilot-In-Command
  • At least 500 hours in multi-engine airplanes and 500 hours in the specific category/class (Airplane - Multi-engine)
  • Minimum 75 hours of night flight and 75 hours of actual or simulated instrument time (with 10 hours in flight)
  • Prior wildland firefighting experience required; position eligible for special firefighter retirement coverage

Full Job Description

THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. This type of announcement provides the USDA Forest Service with a readily available source of applicants when vacancies occur.

Eligibility and qualifications will be verified when there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied.

Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates applications are due for these locations can be found on the Forest Service website.

See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section for details. 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.

You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position.

Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements.

Basic Requirement: Certificates and Ratings Must possess an FAA Airplane Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Airplane Multi-Engine Land ratings OR possess a current and valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Airplane Multi-Engine Land rating.

Must possess a current FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate, or military equivalent, as appropriate to the position held (Airplane) Multi-Engine and Instrument Airplane Instruction ratings.

In order to be considered for this position, you must attach a copy of your current FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate, or military equivalent, as appropriate to the position held (Airplane) Multi-Engine and Instrument Airplane Instruction ratings.

Multi-Engine and Instrument Airplane Instruction ratings or the military equivalent rating is also required. Medical Certificate: Must possess a current FAA first or second-class medical certificate.

Must possess all necessary certificates and ratings and flight hours in the appropriate Category and Class (Airplane - Multi-Engine) as required.

GS-13: Must meet all the following flight requirements and all minimum hours must be in Category (Airplane): Possess minimum flight time of 1500 hours with 250 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC); possess minimum flight time of 500 hours in multi-engine airplanes; possess minimum time of 500 hours in Category and Class to be flown (Airplane - Multi-engine); possess minimum time of 75 hours performing Night Flight; possess minimum PIC time of 75 hours of actual or simulated Instrument time with 10 hours in flight; possess minimum flying time in Category of 100 hours (preceding 12 months).

In order to be considered for this position, you must attach a copy of complete and legible documentation (i.e.

flight logs, etc.) for certification that all minimum flight hours and requirements have been met for consideration at the appropriate grade level for which applying, and that flight hours are in the appropriate Category and Class (Airplane-Multi-engine) as required.

Failure to address and provide supporting documentation for any one of the required flight hours will result in disqualification.

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 date of this announcement. Major Duties:

  • Is responsible for the development and coordination of the Forest Service Regional INFRARED aircraft pilot fire and aviation training program based on performance requirements, standardization and training needs.
  • Assists in the administration or oversight of agency-wide aviation programs such the in-service aviation standardization and training programs.
  • Assists in managing the content and methodology of centralized national aircraft pilot training and evaluation programs to assure that national fire and aviation goals and objectives are met.
  • Provides information for aviation accident prevention concepts and behavioral trends and integrates these into agency program goals and objectives.
  • Maintains proficiency in agency aircraft models/types that will be utilized to meet Forest Land Management Objectives or administrative needs.
  • Plans extended flights requiring the analysis of present and future weather conditions along the route, avoiding unfavorable weather, and considering alternate routes and destinations.
  • Plans the work to be accomplished by the unit, assigns work to employees, and establishes production or quality standards for the unit's work.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/9/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/10/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 26-FIRE-NOCR-PILOT-13DH