Forest Service | Pilot

Pilot - USDA Forest Service

The USDA Forest Service is seeking experienced pilots to operate a variety of aircraft for passenger and cargo transport, aerial supervision, and specialized missions. These positions involve flying in challenging terrain and conditions across various U.S. Forest Service regions.

About the Role

As a pilot with the USDA Forest Service, individuals will serve as Pilot-in-Command (PIC) on single-engine land, light, and/or multi-engine aircraft. Duties include piloting at low altitudes and varying speeds over difficult terrain during day and night conditions. The role also encompasses serving as a technical advisor on aviation operations, conducting basic aircraft systems inspections, and acting as an Aviation Contracting Officer's Technical Expert for airplane contracts and pilots. Responsibilities extend to air transport of agency personnel and cargo, aerial supervision, Leadplane operations, and the delivery of smokejumpers and paracargo. Pilots will also be involved in identifying and analyzing complex organizational issues and developing policy recommendations.

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.
• This is a drug testing designated position, subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
• Willingness to live and work in remote, volatile, and 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 a veteran preference eligible over age 40 requesting a waiver.
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period.

Qualifications

Candidates must 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.

A current FAA first or second-class medical certificate is required.

Flight hour requirements vary by grade:

• GS-09: Minimum 1,200 total flight hours in airplanes, including 250 hours as PIC, 100 hours in multi-engine airplanes, 50 hours of night flight, 50 hours of actual or simulated instrument time (at least 5 hours actual in flight), and 100 hours in airplanes within the preceding 12 months.
• GS-11 and GS-12: Minimum 1,500 total flight hours in airplanes, including 250 hours as PIC, 500 hours in multi-engine airplanes, 75 hours of night flight, 75 hours of actual or simulated instrument time (at least 10 hours actual in flight), and 100 hours in airplanes within the preceding 12 months.

For GS-12 positions, a current FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate (Airplane with Multi-Engine and Instrument Airplane Instruction ratings) or military equivalent may be required.

All flight experience must be substantiated by complete, legible flight logs.

Additional Information

This is an open continuous announcement. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified when vacancies occur. Specific locations and application deadlines can be found on the Forest Service website.

Some positions may be covered under special retirement provisions for primary/rigorous firefighting roles.

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.

Federal employee benefits are comprehensive and depend on position type and employment status.