SUMMARY

This position is established in the Regional Aviation Group, Fire and Aviation Management. The primary purpose of this position is to provide service to the agency as a special use and point-to-point agency pilot.
For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Colbey Richmond at colbey.richmond@usda.gov.

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.
To receive consideration for these positions, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the time of applicant submission date.Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements.

MINIMUM FLIGHT/FLYING EXPERIENCE:

GS-09: Must meet all the following flight requirements and all minimum hours must be in Category (Airplane): Possess minimum flight time of 1200 hours with 250 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC); possess minimum flight time of 100 hours in multi-engine airplanes; possess minimum time of 50 hours performing Night Flight; possess minimum time of 50 hours of actual or simulated Instrument time with minimum 5 hours actual in flight; possess minimum flying time in Category of 100 hours (preceding 12 months).
GS-11 and GS-12: 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 75 hours performing Night Flight; possess minimum time of 75 hours of actual or simulated Instrument time with minimum 10 hours actual in flight; possess minimum flying time in Category of 100 hours (preceding 12 months).
GS-12 only: In order to be considered for this position, you may be required to obtain and maintain a current FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate, as appropriate to the position held (Airplane) with Multi-Engine and Instrument Airplane Instruction ratings or the military equivalent rating.
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.
Under age 40 -OR- less than age 40 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 40 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement.
Age Requirements: For those who do not currently occupy a permanent Federal position covered under primary fire fighter retirement, you must be under age 40; less than age 40 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 40 and requesting a waiver to the requirement.
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.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

• Duties listed are at full performance grade GS-12 level.
• Pilots a variety of models at low altitudes and varying speeds over unfavorable terrain such as mountains, forests, or deserts, during both day and night conditions, to transport passengers and cargo among a variety of destinations.
• Serves as pilot-in-command on single engine land, light and/or multi-engine aircraft over unfavorable terrain such as mountains, forests, or deserts, during both day and night conditions.
• Serve as a technical advisor to the Regional Aviation Operations Manager/ Supervisory Pilot for single and/or multi-engine fixed-wing aircraft activities (WCF and contract) used by the agency for project and fire management work.
• Performs basic systems inspection on light single and/or twin-engine aircraft and/or heavy multi-engine aircraft to confirm that aircraft is ready for flight operations according to prescribed preflight checks.
• As the Aviation Contracting Officers Technical Expert regarding airplane contracts and contract pilots, serves as a technical leader in a specific subject matter area, providing definitive technical guidance to contractors.
• Serves as pilot-in-command for air transport of agency personnel and cargo, aerial supervision / Leadplane operations, and delivery of smokejumpers and paracargo.
• Gathers information, identifies and analyzes issues, and develops recommendations to resolve complex organizational problems or develop and implement organizational policies and procedures across major agency organizations.