Wildland Firefigher (Aviation)

U.S. Forest Service; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Forest Service seeks a Crewmember on a fire management team to serve as Airtanker Base Ramp Manager. You will oversee the base, ramp, facilities, vehicles, and staff, ensuring safe loading of retardant and proper maintenance of equipment.

The role requires prior wildland firefighting experience, ability to lead crews on the ramp, and readiness to work in remote locations. Pre-employment checks and potential CDL requirements may apply.

Qualifications

• US citizenship or US nationality
• Prior wildland firefighting experience
• Willing to live/work in remote locations
• Valid state driver’s license; CDL may be required
• Must pass pre-employment drug testing and background checks

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise airtanker loading operations and crew on the tarmac or ramp
• Direct pilots, parking tenders, and loaders with radios/hand signals
• Verify aircraft weight limits and retardant specifications
• Maintain airtanker base, equipment, and facilities
• Prepare data on aircraft use, incidents, and payments

Skills

Team leadership

Firefighting experience

Radio communications

Safety procedures

Computer software

Tools

Computers

Job description

Summary

The position is located on a fire crew as a crewmember within the fire management organization. This position is established on a Forest unit to serve as an Airtanker Base Ramp Manager. Maintains airtanker base, aircraft ramp, facilities, vehicles and equipment.

Major Duties

Applies specific rules, regulations, and procedures to perform a complete segment of airtanker loading assignments with a broad scope. Such as directing other workers in the prescribed and safe loading of fire-retardant materials into airtankers of various sizes and configurations. Directs pilots, parking tenders, and loaders around the tarmac, hangar, or landing field using portable radios and hand signals. Performs calculations, reviews aircraft documentation, and inspects loading of retardant chemicals to ensure that individual aircraft weight limitations are not exceeded, and the retardant is within required specifications. May function as retardant crew member (RTCM) and aircraft timekeeper (ATIM) roles. Performs a variety of assignments made for developmental purposes that are designed to prepare the incumbent to perform the duties and responsibilities of the target position. This includes duties associated with the operation of the airtanker base and aerial retardant program. Project Inspector on airtanker contracts. Participates in the maintenance of the base buildings, grounds, equipment, and water systems. Operates various gas and electric powered mowers, saws, generators, hand tools. Inventories and inspects equipment and supplies. Insures all items are in a usable condition and ready for immediate use. Provides input to the procuring and/or requisitioning of equipment, supplies, and services. Reports all fuel and retardant spills and ensures that they are promptly cleaned according to established environmental and/or hazardous materials procedures. Utilizes computer-based applications for program support. Prepares and inputs data into computerized records relating to aircraft use and payment, scheduling, incident and accident reports.

Requirements

You must be a US Citizen or US National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing. Must be 18 years of age. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.gov. Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver's license; a commercial driver's license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination. This is a Test Designated Position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice. Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable). Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire related assignment. This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336© (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions.

Evaluations

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be referred to the selecting official. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

What to Expect Next

Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status. You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status). Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint, or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to [e-mail], subject line: Fair Chance Act.

Other Information

PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy is being used to fill positions for FY2027 Temporary Employment Hiring season. The expected start date for this position will be between April 18, 2027 to June 13, 2027. By selecting the "Location Negotiable" option during the application process, implies your willingness to be considered for any official duty location listed on this announcement and/or those duty locations not listed for this Regional announcement. Pay rates vary depending on location. The salary shown is for the Rest of the U.S. See OPM.gov for additional information on pay rates. This position is temporary, has a Not-to-Exceed date and will be filled for up to 6 months or as a not to exceed (NTE) 1 year, however an extension of the appointment may be possible without further competition. The appointment may also end early due to lack of work or lack of funds. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other groups within the Region who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in any of the geographic location(s) listed on the announcement. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration. The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligible must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered. If you are retired from the Federal Government and are selected for this vacancy, your retirement annuity may be offset from your pay. This position is not eligible for telework. Availability of government housing and federal day care facilities will vary by location. Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE.