The U.S. Forest Service is seeking experienced pilots to operate various aircraft in diverse terrain and conditions. This announcement is for continuous recruitment, providing a source of qualified applicants for potential vacancies across multiple agency locations. Successful candidates will serve as pilots, technical advisors, and aviation contracting experts.
About the Role
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Piloting various aircraft models at low altitudes and varying speeds over challenging terrain during day and night conditions.
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Transporting passengers and cargo to numerous destinations.
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Serving as pilot-in-command on single-engine land, light, and/or multi-engine aircraft.
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Providing technical advice to aviation management on fixed-wing aircraft operations.
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Performing basic systems inspections on light and heavy multi-engine aircraft.
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Acting as an Aviation Contracting Officers Technical Expert for airplane contracts and pilots.
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Conducting aerial supervision, leadplane operations, and delivering smokejumpers and paracargo.
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Analyzing organizational issues and developing recommendations for policy implementation.
Requirements
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Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
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Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
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Subject to background investigation and fingerprint check.
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Federal payments via direct deposit are required.
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Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
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Must be 18 years of age.
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This is a drug-testing designated position, subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
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Willingness to live and work in remote, volatile, and unpredictable locations.
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Must be under age 40, or less than age 40 after subtracting months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary/secondary firefighter/law enforcement position, or a veteran preference eligible requesting a waiver to the age requirement.
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Must serve a 1-year probationary period.
Qualifications
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Basic Requirement:
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Possess an FAA Airplane Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Airplane Multi-Engine Land ratings, OR
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Possess a current and valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Airplane Multi-Engine Land rating.
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Medical Certificate:
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Must possess a current FAA first or second-class medical certificate.
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Must possess all necessary certificates, ratings, and flight hours in the appropriate Category and Class (Airplane - Multi-Engine).
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Minimum Flight/Flying Experience:
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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, 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.
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GS-11 and GS-12:
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.
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All flight experience must be substantiated by complete, legible flight logs.
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GS-12 Only:
May be required to obtain and maintain a current FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate (Airplane) with Multi-Engine and Instrument Airplane Instruction ratings or military equivalent.