USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services | Pilot

Airplane Pilot

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Summary

This position is located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services (WS) program. The WS program is multi-faceted and is directed at the reduction of wildlife damage as it relates to agriculture, human health and safety, public and private property, and natural resources. You will serve as WS Pilot with responsibility for flying fixed-wing aircraft (airplanes) in support of WS operations to protect a variety of resources.

This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

• The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Serves as an Airplane (fixed-wing) Pilot for a program unit within WS.
• Be experienced and competent in the operation of light, fixed-wing aircraft and must be able to meet the Low-Level Flight Standards established by the WS program.
• Responsible for ensuring both routine and unusual maintenance and airworthiness of airplanes placed under their responsibility in accordance with the APHIS Aviation Operations manual.
• Competent in the operations of improved and unimproved landing areas, including roads and other open areas, which occasionally involve exposure to strong surface wind and air currents.
• Responsible for receiving recurrent flight training, and for providing training and instruction to other WS personnel in the proper procedures and techniques of shooting (gunning) from an airplane.
• Ensures all aerial operations including, but not limited to, hours flown, areas flown, and numbers of animals removed, are documented through aircraft and personal log books.
• Remains current on required pilot qualifications and licensing and continually reviews applicable policies, laws, and regulations. Incumbent is cognizant of aviation industry practices and methods.
• Conducts safety evaluations of personnel participating in aerial activities and on airplanes used in WS operations.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
... Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application. Operation of Government-owned or leased vehicles is required.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
BASIC REQUIREMENT:

2181 Minimum Eligibility Requirements :

Minimum eligibility requirements for positions in this occupation are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements, and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the positions.

Certificates and Ratings :

For all grade levels and specializations, candidates must possess a current Commercial Pilot Certificate or the appropriate military rating; both meet the intent of the requirement. If an agency decides, for example, not to accept the military rating, the rationale for the decision should be based upon the requirements of the position and should be thoroughly described in agency operating material. For flight instructor positions, the FAA Flight Instructor Certificate or the military equivalent rating is also required. The pilot certificate must include the rating(s) appropriate to the work of the position to be filled. For example, a position that involves flying a multi-engine airplane to various destinations under instrument flight rules would require the Commercial Pilot Certificate with the airplane, multi-engine, and instrument ratings or appropriate U.S. military ratings. Positions that require flying or instructing in flying both airplanes and helicopters require a rating in both categories. Only those ratings necessary to perform the work are required.

Note :

Candidates establishing eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot, flight instructor, or flight examiner, as appropriate. Other certificates that meet or exceed the requirements of the Commercial Pilot Certificate are also acceptable, e.g., an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.

Minimum Flight Hour Requirements:

1.Total Flight Time --1500 HRS- Flight time as pilot-in-command or copilot in aircraft of any weight or category is creditable for this requirement.

2.Pilot-In-Command -- 250 HRS- Only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable.

3.Night Flying -- 75 HRS-- For in service placement actions at the GS-11 level and above, 25 hours may be waived if the candidate demonstrates the ability to perform the work.

4.Flying Time, Last 12 Months --100 HRS-- Required only for positions that involve flying. The flight hours specified apply to competitive appointments.

Medical Requirements:

At the time of initial appointment, candidates for all pilot positions must possess a current first or second-class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations.

In addition to meeting OPM requirements, all pilots (WS & Contract) must meet the following:

Selective Placement Factor:

In addition to the qualifications above, the ideal candidate should be able to meet the following Selective Placement Factors (SPF). Any experience with the SPF below should be documented in the applicant's resume and/or on the airplane experience form. Applicants who fail to meet and document the SPF below may lose further consideration:

• 1200 hours PIC flight time in single land (SEL) airplane;
• 100 hours PIC in a tail wheel aircraft (PA-18-180 or similar);
• 100 hours flight time in the make and model of aircraft or similar type, to be used on WS missions; and;
• 250 hours experience as PIC for wildlife damage management operations; or 500 hours flight experience in WS type flying.

For pilots that do not have the above specialized low-level requirements, other low-level pilot experience may be substituted when approved by the Aviation Training and Operations Center National Aviation Manager and Director of Safety and Operations on a case-by-case basis.

In addition to the meeting the above criteria you must also show the specialized experience below:

FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Experience flying at low levels (less than 500 feet AGL).
• Experience landing on unimproved and/or remote terrain.
• Experience flying in adverse environmental conditions.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.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 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
• First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
• Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
• Worksite Information: This position is located at the duty station(s) listed in this vacancy announcement and is not eligible for telework or remote work.

• Open & closing dates

  04/11/2023 to 04/17/2023

• Salary

  $82,830 - $107,680 per year

• Pay scale & grade

  GS 12

• Location

  1 vacancy in the following location:

  • Ely, NV

• Remote job

  No

• Telework eligible

  No

• Travel Required

  Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

  No

• Appointment type

  Term -

• Work schedule

  Full-time -

• Service

  Competitive

• Promotion potential

  12

• Job family (Series)

  2181 Aircraft Operation

• Supervisory status

  No

• Security clearance

  Not Required

• Drug test

  Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

  Moderate Risk (MR)

• Trust determination process

  Credentialing

  Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

  DE-11905625-23-WS

• Control number

  718102700