Wildland Firefigher (Aviation)

Summary This position is located within a National Forest. The position is located on a fire crew as a crewmember within the fire management organization. This position is established on a Forest unit to serve as an Airtanker Base Ramp Manager. Maintains airtanker base, aircraft ramp, facilities, vehicles and equipment. Duties Applies specific rules, regulations, and procedures to perform a complete segment of airtanker loading assignments. Directing other workers in the prescribed and safe loading of fire-retardant materials into airtankers of various sizes and configurations. Directs pilots, parking tenders, and loaders around the tarmac, hangar, or landing field using portable radios and hand signals. Performs calculations, reviews aircraft documentation, and inspects loading of retardant chemicals to ensure that individual aircraft weight limitations are not exceeded, and the retardant is within required specifications. May function as retardant crew member (RTCM) and aircraft timekeeper (ATIM) roles. Performs a variety of assignments made for developmental purposes that are designed to prepare the incumbent to perform the duties and responsibilities of the target position. This includes duties associated with the operation of the airtanker base and aerial retardant program Project Inspector on airtanker contracts. Participates in the maintenance of the base buildings, grounds, equipment, and water systems. Operates various gas and electric powered mowers, saws, generators, hand tools. Inventories and inspects equipment and supplies. Insures all items are in a usable condition and ready for immediate use. Provides input to the procuring and/or requisitioning of equipment, supplies, and services. Reports all fuel and retardant spills and ensures that they are promptly cleaned according to established environmental and/or hazardous materials procedures. Utilizes computer-based applications for program support. Prepares and inputs data into computerized records relating to aircraft use and payment, scheduling, incident and accident reports. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a US Citizen or US National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing. Must be 18 years of age. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-Verify. 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. This is a Test 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. Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable). Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire related assignment. 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. 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. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. GW-06: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GW-05 grade level in federal service or equivalent. For the GW-06 there is no substitution of education for this position. Examples of specialized experience includes: Assisted in providing facility maintenance, oversight and/or procedures for repairs and improvements. Assisting higher level personnel with contract preparation and/or administration. Using specialized airtanker equipment and ensuring equipment is in proper working order. 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. In accordance with USDA Department Regulation 4430-792-2, this position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the USDA Drug Free Workplace Program and subject to pre-employment drug testing. All applicants selected for this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Incumbents of this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis on an ongoing random basis, after appointment as directed. To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy is being used to fill positions for FY2026 Temporary Employment Hiring season. The expected start date for this position will be between June 28, 2026 to October 4, 2026. By selecting the "Location Negotiable" option during the application process, implies your willingness to be considered for any official duty location listed on this announcement and/or those duty locations not listed for this Regional announcement. Pay rates vary depending on location. The salary shown is for the Rest of the U.S. See OPM.gov for additional information on pay rates. This position is temporary, has a Not-to-Exceed date and will be filled for up to 6 months or as a not to exceed (NTE) 1 year, however an extension of the appointment may be possible without further competition. The appointment may also end early due to lack of work or lack of funds. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other groups within the Region who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in any of the geographic location(s) listed on the announcement. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration. 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. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligible must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered. If you are retired from the Federal Government and are selected for this vacancy, your retirement annuity may be offset from your pay. This position is not eligible for telework. Availability of government housing and federal day care facilities will vary by location. 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. Benefits 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. Review our 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.