Aviation Manager
What you'd do
This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority The Aviation Manager positions are with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-2101-12/13, and can be filled at any DOI facility within the Great Basin Geographic Area boundary. Location will be negotiable upon selection. US Wildland Fire Service Geographic Areas Map
Major duties
As a Aviation Manager your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Analyzes and guides assigned DOI agency's aviation programs and activities in order to assure safe and cost-effective use of aviation resources, ensuring that the USWFS complies with DOI existing statutes, regulations and policies. Highlight, identify and recommend changes in aviation procedures where deficiencies or problems are noted. Develops and supports implementation of the aviation safety training program within USWFS and assigned DOI agencies to ensure Federal aviation (FAA, NTSB, DOI-OAS, USFS) policy requirements are followed. Provides direct support to aviation accident prevention program efforts by participating in ongoing high-risk operational missions. Conducts or supports safety reviews, identifies hazards, evaluates operational risk, and recommends mitigation strategies consistent with established policy and guidance across all facets of the geographic aviation programs. Please see the How You Will Be Evaluated section regarding functional roles for these positions.
What you need to qualify
In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below. Selective Placement Factor(s): This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified. 1.) Prior Primary Wildland Firefighting Experience: Applicants must have documented prior primary firefighting experience, with substantial service defined as either: At least one full fire season working in a primary wildland firefighting role (e.g., Engine Crew, Fire Effects Crew, Prescribed Fire/Fuels Crew, Hand Crew, Helitack Crew, Hotshot Crew, Smokejumper, Wildland Fire Modules or Fire Suppression Crews, etc.) with a federal, state, tribal, local, or private-sector organization; -OR- At least 14-days of on-the-ground fireline experience (cumulative or consecutive). Prior primary wildland fire experience must be clearly documented in your resume. Note: an IQCS Master Record or equivalent document will not be used to determine or calculate prior primary wildland fire experience eligibility for this requirement. In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional experience is required. Only experience and education obtained by 08/03/2026 will be considered. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. Please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. Minimum Qualification For the GW-12 level: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GW/GS-11) in the federal service. Specialized experience is further defined as, but not limited to, experience providing technical guidance for aviation operations; developing and implementing training and qualification programs for aviation resources; working with interagency partners addressing aviation concerns and objectives; experience reviewing aviation incident reports; experience developing and implementing aspects of aviation safety and risk management. For the GW-13 level: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GW/GS-12) in the federal service. Specialized experience is further defined as, but not limited to, experience providing technical and program guidance for aviation operations; developing and implementing training and qualification programs for aviation resources; leading interagency partners addressing aviation concerns and objectives; experience identifying and reporting unsafe aviation activities to unit managers; experience developing and implementing all aspects of aviation safety and risk management. 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. *Applicants must meet all minimum qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the Job Announcement. Secondary Firefighter Retirement Coverage - Applicants for this secondary administrative fire fighter position under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d), must possess knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of wildland firefighting as demonstrated by direct wildland firefighting experience. In order to receive credit, you must provide a written description of your experience in wildland firefighting. Education without hands-on wildland firefighting experience does not meet this requirement. Periods of wildland firefighting experience, gained through militia and rural fire departments, can also be credited. Wildland fire is defined as any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland. Two distinct types of wildland fire have been defined and include wildfire and prescribed fires as follows: Wildfire: Unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires. Prescribed Fires: Planned ignitions. This description includes only fire line experience on a Prescribed Fire; it does not include experience in the planning stages. Prescribed fire experience must be supplemented by fire suppression experience in order to be creditable as previous wildland firefighting experience. Physical Demands: Most of the work is sedentary in nature and requires sitting for long periods. The position requires intermittent physical exertion while inspecting field operations or participating in accident/incident investigations. On occasion, it may be required to perform field work requiring long walks over rough, rocky terrain for long hours during high temperatures. Substantial travel to meeting locations in other cities and to remote field locations for assignments up to two weeks in duration is common. Mode of travel may be by aircraft, ground vehicle, and horseback and on foot. Working Conditions: Most of the work is performed in an office or meeting room setting. The incumbent will be assessing direct applications of aviation needs and activities in the field program. These activities often require the person to be at the location engaged in actual aviation activities in the air and on the ground. The work can be expected to include periodic assignments of long duration in remote airports, heliports and field camps. At times the incumbent may be required to inspect aviation operations on wildland fires, prescribed fires, or other resource management activities.
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