Forest Service | Pilot

Job Summary

The U.S. Forest Service seeks qualified pilots to operate a variety of aircraft for transporting passengers and cargo, conducting aerial supervision, and supporting fire management operations. These roles involve flying in diverse and challenging terrain under various conditions, and serving as a technical advisor for aviation activities. Vacancies may occur across multiple locations within the U.S. Forest Service.

About the Role

• Pilots single-engine land, light, and multi-engine aircraft at low altitudes and varying speeds over challenging terrain, including mountains, forests, and deserts, during both day and night conditions.
• Serves as pilot-in-command for transporting agency personnel and cargo, performing aerial supervision/leadplane operations, and delivering smokejumpers and paracargo.
• Acts as a technical advisor to management for single and/or multi-engine fixed-wing aircraft activities.
• Performs basic systems inspections on light and heavy multi-engine aircraft to ensure readiness for flight operations.
• Serves as an Aviation Contracting Officer's Technical Representative, providing guidance to contractors on airplane contracts.
• Gathers information, analyzes issues, and develops recommendations for complex organizational problems and policy implementation.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Must have federal payments made by direct deposit.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Position is drug testing designated; subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
• Willing to live and work in remote, potentially volatile/unpredictable locations.
• Must be under age 40, or less than age 40 after subtracting months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position, or be a veteran preference eligible older than age 40 requesting a waiver.
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Possess an FAA Airplane Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Airplane Multi-Engine Land ratings, OR a current and valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Airplane Multi-Engine Land rating.
• Possess a current FAA first or second-class medical certificate.
• Must possess all necessary certificates, ratings, and flight hours in the appropriate Category and Class (Airplane - Multi-Engine).

Minimum Flight/Flying Experience:

• GS-09: 1,200 total flight hours in airplanes, including 250 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC), 100 hours in multi-engine airplanes, 50 hours of night flight, and 50 hours of actual or simulated instrument time (with at least 5 hours actual in flight), plus 100 hours in airplanes within the preceding 12 months.
• GS-11 and GS-12: 1,500 total flight hours in airplanes, including 250 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC), 500 hours in multi-engine airplanes, 75 hours of night flight, and 75 hours of actual or simulated instrument time (with at least 10 hours actual in flight), plus 100 hours in airplanes within the preceding 12 months.
• All flight experience must be substantiated by complete, legible flight logs.

GS-12 Specific Requirement:

• May be required to obtain and maintain a current FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate (Airplane) with Multi-Engine and Instrument Airplane Instruction ratings, or the military equivalent.

Additional Information

• This is an open continuous announcement.
• Eligibility and qualifications will be verified when vacancies occur.
• Specific location information and application deadlines can be found on the Forest Service website.
• Government housing, federal day care, and telework may be available.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.
• Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to moving expenses.
• Reasonable accommodation requests for assessments will be handled on a case-by-case basis.