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 This Aviation Manager position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-2101-12/13. Please see duties section for more information on the Geographic Areas.
Major duties
One position will be filled with the Rocky Mountain Geographic Area duty location will be within the Rocky Mountain region - Location may offer relocation assistance. Two Positions will be filled with in Southwest Geographic Area with a duty location in Arizona OR New Mexico - Location may offer relocation assistance. One Positions will be filled with in Southern Geographic Area with a duty location in the state of Alabama. Three Positions will be filled with in Northwest Geographic Area with a duty location in Oregon OR Washington As a Aviation Manager your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Prepares, reviews, and disseminates aviation policy statements, instructional memoranda (IM), Instructional Bulletins (IB), safety bulletins, manuals, and handbooks. Analyzes new aviation technology advances in aircraft, avionics, navigational systems, support equipment, personal protective equipment for application and enhancement of USWFS aviation activities. Coordinates procurement, use/training, and evaluation of new technology. Oversees and evaluates the development and implementation of a strong, sound, well planned aviation safety training program and ensures that DOI, NTSB and FAA policy requirements are followed. Provides management training sessions for Bureau aviation managers and administrators while ensuring that follow-on training is complied with. Maintains constant awareness of operator behavior in work situations which have potential safety implications for others in which aircraft or other equipment is used or operated. Performs aviation needs analyses and provides fire and non-fire resource program managers with aviation costs for use in developing annual work plans. Plans, implements, and monitors the statewide aviation funding mechanisms. Provides technical and fiscal input into Fire Management Plans, Resource Management Plans and agreements. Reviews and/or approves Project Aviation Safety Plans for flights and projects to ensure hazard and risk mitigation. Performs risk management assessments of on-going activities, proposed aviation missions and over-all program standards. Analyzes program performance and systems to identify deficiencies and initiate changes in procedures and requirements.
What you need to qualify
In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below. Only experience and education obtained by 08/12/2026 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 Qualifications Requirement : For the GW-12 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level, or higher in the Federal service, or equivalent; Examples of specialized experience include: Applied interagency aviation policy, guidelines, and procedures as they apply to fixed and rotor wing aircraft operations in support of wildland fire, resource management, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations; Provided aviation safety technology advice, operational guidance, risk assessment, and specific aviation management experience in program implementation with emphasis on policy development, interpretation, and procedural compliance; Ensured aviation facilities and operations programs are maintained and managed within the scope of agency standards; Managed complex aviation issues in the all-hazard operations related to wilderness program implementation and overflight restrictions; Provided aviation safety leadership in the aviation safety program. For the GW-13 level: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-12 level, or higher, in the Federal service, or equivalent, which includes all of the following: Examples of specialized experience include: Developed aviation policy to federal and interagency standards; Wrote and reviewed aviation safety and compliance reports; Identified aviation program deficiencies and recommended improvements; Served on regional and national level aviation committees, working groups, and boards. 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 - This is a secondary/administrative firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age policy, the selectee must have prior service in a primary position (3 years of service in primary/rigorous position(s)) and meet the transfer requirement for movement from a primary to secondary position to be eligible for special retirement coverage. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your SF-50). YOU MUST LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN A PRIMARY POSITION. This is an administrative position in an organization having a firefighting mission and is in an established career path. Prior firefighting experience, as gained by substantial service in a primary firefighter position or equivalent experience outside the Federal government, is a MANDATORY PREREQUISITE. 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. Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Wildland Fire Service offices in the local commuting area.
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