Summary These positions are located at a USDA Forest Service Unit.
The incumbent serves as first line supervisor of a crew of helitack personnel/firefighters that are established to provide fast initial attack, and large fire support and utilizes helicopters in support of all types of incidents.
See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION for Regional contacts.
Learn more about this agency Duties Help
- Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-08 level.
- Serves as helicopter rappel spotter, responsible for the safe and efficient deployment of rappelers and cargo on incident and training missions from a variety of aircraft.
- Serves as Helicopter Manager; prepares helicopter for mission response, briefs personnel, performs aerial recons, relays critical incident information, makes tactical decisions, deploys personnel, and coordinates with other incident resources.
- Responsible for the day to day operation and supervision of the module. Performs the administrative and human resource management functions relative to the staff supervised.
- Serves as alternate to primary COR. Enforces helicopter contract provisions, proposes contract language changes to the Helitack Manager, issues work orders and notices of non-compliance to the Contractor.
- Serves as instructor for Forest and Regional courses or workshops that instruct helitack, Forest, and other cooperating agency personnel in helicopter operations, wildland fire, and related resource management.
- Serves as an Incident Commander (IC), managing resources that vary from single resource to multiple resource task forces or strike teams.
Requirements Help
Conditions of employment - Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
- Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
- Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
- Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
- Must be 18 years of age.
- This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice.
- Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions.
- Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
- Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
- Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver's license; a commercial driver's license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination.
- There may be additional Conditions of Employment not listed here, however applicants will be notified of any specific requirements at the time a tentative job offer is made.
- Under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the requirement.
Qualifications 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.
Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GW-07 : Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-06) in the Federal Service
. Examples of specialized experience may include: Oversaw helicopter service contract and enforced contract provisions; Conducted training in the techniques of aviation, fire suppression, prescribed burning and fuels reduction methods; Performed many technical specializations such as helicopter rappelling, long line, felling, saw repair or water handling used in fire suppression and prescribed burning independently; Communicated critical information pertaining to incident objectives, situations and tactics to pilot(s), crews and dispatchers.
For the GW-08: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-07) in the Federal Service.
Examples of specialized experience may include: Planned and coordinated complex fire and aviation operations at a temporary or fixed base work location; determined helicopter load limits, takeoff and landing sites, and estimated time requirements; analyzed fire conditions and determined attack methods and resources required; conducted hands-on training pertaining to program and personnel needs related to fire and aviation.
Selective Placement Factors: Successful completion of the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Helicopter Manager, Single Resource (
HMGB ) and Incident Commander Type 4 (
ICT4). Successful completion of the Secondary NWCG Core Requirements of Helibase Manager Trainee (
HEBM(t)).
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.
Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement -OR-currently occupy a permanent position with primary fire fighter retirement coverage.
For those who do not currently occupy a permanent Federal position covered under primary fire fighter retirement, you must be under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position; or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and requesting a waiver to the requirement.
This position has been identified 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 primary/rigorous 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.
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 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.
Education There is no substitution of education for specialized experience. Additional information For additional information about the duties and location(s) of these positions, please contact regional representative: To see the different locations within the Regional Offices | US Forest Service (usda.gov)
Region 2: Rocky Mountain Region - Timothy Griffin at
View email address on click.appcast.io Region 3: Southwestern Region - Tobe Haught at
View email address on click.appcast.io Region 4: Intermountain Region - BJ Bugger at
View email address on click.appcast.io Region 5: Pacific Southwest Region - Brian Grabowski -
View email address on click.appcast.io Region 8: Southern Region - Russ Marchion at
View email address on click.appcast.io Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors.
These are permanent positions with varying tours of duty and may include weekend work. Some positions may have irregular and protracted hours of work. Tours of duty include full-time or less than full time (guaranteed minimum 13 pay periods full-time employment).
Government housing and federal day care facilities may be available.
The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates.
Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.
The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website.
Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk,
View phone number on click.appcast.io, Option 1, or email
View email address on click.appcast.io Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period (unless prior service is creditable). New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required new supervisory training program before the end of their probationary period.
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied or guaranteed.
Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
