Aviation Manager (Direct Hiring Authority)
Job description
Duties
This position reports to the Regional Aviation Manager for the legacy Pacific Western Region of the National Park Service.
- The incumbent is responsible for all phases of the regional aviation fire, all hazard, fixed wing, rotor, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and associated training programs. Programmatic duties include safety, policy compliance, training, planning, evaluation, and all other aviation related services performed or provided by the Region. Routine missions include, but are not limited to, interagency wildland fire support; search and rescue; law enforcement; all-hazard response; and resource project work.
- The incumbent provides advice and guidance to the Region and Parks, fire management officers, program managers, and project leaders to meet a variety of National Park Service (NPS) objectives, considering safety and cost effectiveness. The DRAM will consider current innovations and technological advances in aviation training, equipment, and procedures. The DRAM should have a reasonable knowledge of a wide variety of aircraft, including fixed wing, rotor, and small UAS. The regional aviation program is committed to continual improvement. This position must use adaptive management to establish and foster teamwork in all aviation operations.
- The incumbent will set the standard for all aviation operations within the Region. Serve as Regional Aviation Training Official.
Physical Demands: Work is primarily sedentary, although it does require frequent travel by scheduled and chartered aircraft or ground vehicles to various destinations in the U.S. Occasionally the incumbent must travel by foot to remote field locations to conduct technical investigations and site visits.
During the field season, the position demands extended, and variable work shifts and on-call status while away from work. Incumbent must meet the established physical fitness standards for his/her ICS position. Operations are conducted in rugged terrain and in the wildland fire environment with little or no logical support. Duty hours on incident assignments can be up to 16 hours per day.
Other assignments are performed in an office or classroom environment which involves minimal risk or discomfort and requires normal safety precautions.
Working Conditions: The work is divided between field and office activities. The fieldwork is performed at remote locations on incidents and remote environments of temperature extremes, rough terrain, and reduced visibility. Due to the mission requirements of low-level flight in mountainous terrain and all hazard flight operations, the incumbent is exposed to substantial hazards on a regular and recurring basis. While on incident assignments, the incumbent may be exposed to temperature extremes, dust, smoke, noise, rugged topography, high-risk flight in fixed or rotor wing aircraft, extended outdoor living and high-stress emergency activities.
The work involves exposure to potentially dangerous situations caused by uncontrolled wildfire, numerous aircraft being flown in close proximity, and flights in high angle mountainous terrain and over water. Errors could be catastrophic and result in serious injury or death, Handling and transporting hazardous materials, carbon monoxide, smoke, dust and debris and the use of other mechanical or motorized equipment. The hazardous nature of the work requires that protective clothing or devices (boots, hard hat, gloves, ear protection, personal flotation device, etc.) be worn. Guidelines include, but are not limited Contract Administration Hand Book, Interagency Aviation Training Guide, Federal Aviation Regulations, NPS Directives, Department Manual 350-354 Aviation policy, NPS Directors Orders 60 and Reference Manual 60, Interagency Fire Line Handbook, Department of Transportation Regulations, Guide for the Transportation of Hazardous Materials, various applicable handbooks, NWCG guides, and all DOI OAS OPMs, and other written guides. The incumbent selects, interprets, and applies these guides frequently using initiative, judgment, and resourcefulness in solving unforeseen problems and resolving conflicts.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship required.
- Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
- Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
- Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
- You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
- You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
- You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
- Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor wing aircraft.
- You may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
- You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
- If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
- Subject to frequent extended travel up to 14 or more nights per month particularly during fire season, and you must obtain a government charge card for travel.
- You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
- NOTE: Salary listed in this vacancy announcement represents the 2023 RUS (Rest of US) GS salary. Salary will be adjusted for the selectee's duty station. For more information, please visit General Schedule (opm.gov)
Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 03/17/2023, unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience.
For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.
SELECTIVE FACTOR: Candidates must possess a minimum of 90-days of wildland firefighting experience, gained through fire line work in containment, control, suppression or use of wildland fire. You must clearly demonstrate this experience in your resume, including the months, days and hours per week at which the work was performed in order to be considered.
A minimum of 90 days of wildland firefighting experience is required to meet qualifications for secondary (administrative) covered positions. The Department of Interior defines wildland firefighting experience as: On-the-line wildland firefighting experience gained through containment, control, suppression, or use of wildland fire. This experience can be met by serving in a temporary, seasonal, or equivalent private sector fire position for no less than 90 days. Periods of wildland firefighting experience, gained through militia and rural fire departments, can also be credited, as long as the total amount of this experience equates to at least 90 days. 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. You must clearly demonstrate this experience in your resume, including the months, days and hours per week at which the work was performed in order to be considered.
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SELECTIVE FACTOR: Must possess the following certifications by the closing date of this announcement to be considered.
1. Interagency Aviation Training Instructor Certification
2. Interagency Aviation Manager
For more information on these qualifications, go to Interagency Aviation Training
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To Qualify for the GS-2101-11: Candidates must possess one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Examples of specialized experience are: Assisting in the management of an aviation program, or a significant portion thereof, supporting a natural resource agency or organization. Duties include applying interagency aviation policy, guidelines, and procedures as they pertain to Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and fixed and rotor wing aircraft operations in support of wildland fire, resource management, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations; providing 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. Ensure aviation facilities and operations programs are maintained and managed within the scope of agency standards; manage complex aviation issues in the all-hazard operations related to wilderness program implementation and overflight restrictions; provide aviation safety leadership in the aviation safety program.
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To Qualify for the GS-2101-12: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). This experience includes activities that have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform successfully the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience are: Experience managing an aviation program, or a significant portion thereof, supporting a natural resource agency or organization. Duties include applying interagency aviation policy, guidelines, and procedures as they pertain to Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and fixed and rotor wing aircraft operations in support of wildland fire, resource management, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations; providing 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. ensure aviation facilities and operations programs are maintained and managed within the scope of agency standards; manage complex aviation issues in the all hazard operations related to wilderness program implementation and overflight restrictions; serve as a Contracting Officers Representative (COR) or Contracting Officers Representative(COTR) helicopter, fixed wing, UAS contracts, aircraft rental agreements, on-call helicopter contracts; provide aviation program oversight to include training of UAS, fixed wing and helitak crews as well as others involved in aerial fire, LE,SAR, resource management missions; provide aviation safety leadership in the aviation safety program.
Volunteer Experience: 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.
Education
When submitting college transcripts, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
Additional information
This notice is being issued to recruit personnel to occupations for which a critical hiring need has been identified. To assist in filling these positions, OPM has granted the Department of the Interior "Direct Hire Authority".
A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected the display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR ยง575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.
A Relocation Incentive May Be Authorized for a Federal employee when the employee must move, as directed by the National Park Service (NPS) either through a management directed reassignment or selection for employment, to a different location at least 50 miles away from the one where his/her position of record held at time of selection is currently located, due to a need of the NPS. A relocation incentive is not the same as a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move and, as such, may be granted in conjunction with one another.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
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). PLEASE NOTE: Applicants may meet qualification requirements but may not be eligible for special retirement coverage. If such an applicant is selected, they will be placed in the regular retirement system. FERS TRANSITION REQUIREMENT: To be eligible for Secondary retirement coverage under FERS, an employee must: 1) transfer directly (without a break in service exceeding 3 days) from a primary position to a secondary position, AND 2) complete 3 years of service in a primary rigorous position including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld, AND 3) must be continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a primary rigorous position, except for any break in employment from a secondary position that began with involuntary separation (not for cause). It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your special retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your work history or other documentation that demonstrates work history of approved covered positions). You must let this office know if you are in a Primary coverage position.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more information, https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants will be evaluated based on how whether they meet the qualification requirements.
Upon receipt of the completed application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure basic qualification requirements are met.
This vacancy will be filled through a Direct Hire Authority. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to positions filled under this Authority. All qualified applicants, as determined by the SHRO, will be referred for consideration. While managers and supervisors are not required to conduct interviews, it is highly recommended that they do so in order to assess the competencies of each applicant.
If an applicant's resume is incomplete or does not support the requirements for minimum qualifications or specialized experience a rating of "ineligible" or "not qualified" will be applied and no consideration for employment will be granted.
If a determination is made that an applicant has inflated qualifications or experience on the resume, the applicant will receive no consideration for the position, as per OPM regulations.
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.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/17/2023:
- Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, dates specified in month and year format, and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
- Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) OR Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) - If you are applying under CTAP and ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.
- Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other equivalent documentation which reflects completion of the required NWCG qualifications for this position.
- Documentation that you meet the Selective Factors.
- You must submit a legible copy of your transcripts.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/17/2023.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) OR Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)???????: CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF50 noting position, grade level, duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For Information on CTAP and ICTAP visit: Career Transition (opm.gov)- Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
- Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
- Click here for USAJobs Help with "How to create an application"
- To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11852648
- Select or add the resume you want to use for this application. Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS.
- Select documents you want included in this application.
- Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
- Select if you want to include your demographic information.
- After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
- Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
- Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
- Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
- Review and Submit Application.
- While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
- You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
- To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
- Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. It is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
- To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to EO 14043, that requirement does not currently apply.
Agency contact information
Christine Funderburk
Phone
000-000-0000
Email
christine_funderburk@nps.gov
Address
Fire and Aviation, DOI Regions 8, 9, 10 and 12
333 Bush Street, Suite 500
San Franciso, CA 94104
USNext steps
Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the qualified candidates, your name will be referred to the hiring official, and you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
Required Documents
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/17/2023:
- Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, dates specified in month and year format, and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
- Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) OR Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) - If you are applying under CTAP and ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.
- Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other equivalent documentation which reflects completion of the required NWCG qualifications for this position.
- Documentation that you meet the Selective Factors.
- You must submit a legible copy of your transcripts.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
This job is open to
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Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
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The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. DIRECT HIRING AUTHORITY will be used to fill this position.
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