Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program Specialist

Full Job Description

The U.S.

Wildland Fire Service (USWFS), an organization within the Department of the Interior (DOI), responds to wildfires and promotes fire-resilient landscapes across more than 500 million acres of public and tribal lands nationwide.

The USWFS has full program authority and coordinates the DOI wildland fire management program in its entirety. It ensures coordination within DOI, the Bureaus it serves, other federal agencies.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

Specialized Experience: Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of the aviation management and safety function(s) of the position to be filled.

Specialized Experience 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 in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Must meet all.

Managing or administering an Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) or aviation program, including maintaining pilot qualification records, aircraft documentation, and operational reporting systems to ensure compliance with agency and/or FAA requirements.

Conducting inspections, evaluations, or operational testing of UAS platforms, payloads, or aviation equipment to assess airworthiness, safety compliance, and operational suitability, and documenting findings with formal recommendations.

Developing or delivering structured aviation or UAS training (classroom and/or field-based), including evaluating pilot proficiency and certifying completion of required qualification standards.

Supporting procurement or contracting actions for aviation or UAS equipment, including drafting technical specifications, evaluating vendor proposals, or providing technical recommendations for acquisition decisions.

Coordinating aviation or UAS operations with internal and external partners (e.g., Federal, State, Tribal, or interagency stakeholders), including resolving operational issues and ensuring regulatory compliance.

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.

Merit Promotion candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Major Duties:

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) located in Lakewood, Colorado at the Denver Federal Center.

At the full performance level (GS-13) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Manages Department-wide UAS fleet operations, remote pilot database, and OMB-required flight use reporting systems.

Serves as DOI subject matter expert for UAS fleet management, airworthiness approvals, and payload certification.

Conducts inspections, surveillance, and operational evaluations of UAS aircraft, pilots, and maintenance programs to ensure compliance with DOI, FAA, and Federal regulations.

Makes recommendations on procurement, contracting, and acquisition of UAS platforms, sensors, and related technologies.

Leads testing and evaluation of new aircraft, payloads, and emerging technologies to support DOI resource management and emergency operations.

Serves as Pilot-in-Command (PIC) for UAS test and evaluation missions and supports accident investigation activities when assigned.

Develops and delivers interagency UAS training curriculum; conducts pilot certification inspections and qualification reviews.

Provides technical leadership in geospatial technology, remote sensing applications, and integration of UAS-derived data into DOI programs.

Supports Department-wide and interagency aviation policy development, working groups, and FAA coordination efforts.

Represents DOI in coordination with Federal, State, Tribal, and interagency partners regarding UAS operations and standards. Salary Information GS-13 step 1: $118,675.00 step 10: $154,280.00 per annum.

This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available. 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. Local 3820, is the exclusive representative of all employees in this bargaining unit.