The U.S. Forest Service is seeking experienced pilots to operate a variety of aircraft at low altitudes and varying speeds over challenging terrain. These roles will involve transporting passengers and cargo, serving as pilot-in-command, and providing technical aviation advice across multiple agency organizations. Positions are located within various regions of the U.S. Forest Service.
About the Role
-
Pilots various aircraft models at low altitudes and varying speeds over unfavorable terrain, including mountains, forests, and deserts, during day and night conditions.
-
Serves as pilot-in-command on single-engine land, light and/or multi-engine aircraft.
-
Acts as a technical advisor for single and/or multi-engine fixed-wing aircraft activities for project and fire management work.
-
Performs basic systems inspections on light single and/or twin-engine aircraft and/or heavy multi-engine aircraft.
-
Serves as an Aviation Contracting Officer's Technical Expert regarding airplane contracts and contract pilots.
-
Conducts air transport of agency personnel and cargo, aerial supervision/Leadplane operations, and smokejumper/paracargo delivery.
-
Gathers information, identifies issues, and develops recommendations to resolve complex organizational problems or implement policies and procedures.
Requirements
-
Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
-
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
-
Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
-
Federal payments must be made by direct deposit.
-
Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
-
Must be 18 years of age.
-
Position is 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 be a veteran preference eligible over age 40 requesting a waiver.
-
Must serve a 1-year probationary period.
Qualifications
-
Basic Requirement: 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.
-
Medical Certificate: Must possess a current FAA first or second-class medical certificate.
-
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, 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: 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.
-
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.
-
Flight experience must be substantiated by complete, legible flight logs.
-
This position has firefighter retirement coverage.