Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Branch Chief

Full Job Description

This position is located within the Washington Office Fire and Aviation Management (WO-FAM).

The incumbent is responsible for developing and recommending UAS related 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 contact Paul Linse at paul.linse@usda.gov.

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 Wildland Fire Schedule Qualification Standards.

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

Basic Requirement: Applicants for the UAS Branch Chief position must meet the following requirement: The incumbent for this position is required to hold a current and valid FAA Remote Pilot Certificate Certificates and experience must be submitted as part of you application package.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience in the amounts listed below.

Specialized Experience Requirement: GW-14: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GW-13 in the Federal service.

Examples of specialized experience include: Provided leadership and program responsibilities in the development and implementation of policies, standards, and procedures to guide and control the whole range of complex and/or hazardous aviation and fire management activities; and/or advised and consulted with employees, contractors and cooperators to assist in the evaluation and implementation of proposed complex aviation regulatory changes; and/or participated in the development of a budget and acquisition strategy that serves as the framework for integrating functional activities essential to the planning effort and serves as the basis for specific program management documents; and/or provided expert technical guidance and assistance on diverse and complex hazardous conditions that require specialized safety approaches; and/or participated in the development of aviation management data systems to track costs and utilization of aviation operations.

Recommended Experience Experience and knowledge of wildland fire and resource management UAS operations including technology, data management, interagency (DOI and FS) policy and FAA policy.

Experience as a qualified UAS Pilot (UASP), UAS Manager (UASM) and experience as an UAS Module Leader (UASL) is beneficial.

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.

Selective Placement Factors 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.

TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Major Duties:

• Manage, develop, protect, and utilize forest and range resources to formulate aviation plans; direct and control the procurement of aviation resources to support specific functional natural resource activities.
• Develop new or improved methods of utilizing UAS for fire detection and suppression, natural resource management. and analyze aircraft capabilities in fire and non-fire connected missions.
• Establish, implement, and modify a long-term national program for recruiting aviation personnel and developing career progression procedures.
• Lead or participate with committees and work groups of aviation managers developing and recommending aviation-related programs, plans, studies, and specific actions.
• Respond or coordinate responses to aviation-related appeals, protests, congressional inquiries, and requests for information, analysis or comment.
• Initiate and coordinate development of aviation management data systems to track costs and utilization of aviation operations.
• Participate in/lead FAM program and activity reviews of Regions, contractors/cooperators to evaluate conformance with service-wide direction, interagency and international standards, contract requirements, and responsiveness of aviation programs.
• Participate as a technical investigator on aviation accident investigations, reviews, and follows-up on actions.