Wildland Firefighter (Aviation) (Seat Base Assistant)

Office of the Secretary of the Interior; Burns (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of the Secretary of the Interior in Burns, Oregon, seeks a wildfire specialist for the GW-0456-08 role under a Direct-Hire Authority. The position requires specialized wildland fire experience and NWCG qualifications, with duties spanning aviation planning, contracting, and day-to-day operations.

Applicants should show experience with resource flights, contract administration, and a strong understanding of aviation safety within a wildland setting.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized wildland fire work experience equivalent to GW-7.
• Knowledge of NWCG incident management qualifications (ATIM or FWPT) currency.
• Experience administering or assisting with aircraft and retardant contracts; day-to-day contract administration.

Responsibilities

• Assist with scheduling resource flights and updating aviation plans.
• Monitor and evaluate aviation operations in fire and/or resource activities.
• Review and disseminate aviation policy statements, safety bulletins, manuals and handbooks.
• Perform day-to-day administration of contracts and ensure compliance around aircraft and retardant.

Skills

Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM)

Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT)

Job description

This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority This position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-8 working in the following location(s): Burns, Oregon

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either 'full-time' (or '40 hours a week') or 'part-time' with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below. Minimum Qualifications for GW-0456-08: I have 1 year of specialized wildland fire work experience equivalent to the GW-7 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include: assisting with scheduling resource flights as needed, updating aviation plans, monitoring and evaluating aviation operations in both fire and/or resource activities; mixing and loading retardant chemicals for aircraft weight limitations; assisting with review, and dissemination of aviation policy statements, safety bulletins, manuals and handbooks; administering or assisting with applicable aircraft and retardant contracts; assisting with performing day to day administration of the contracts in place and enforcing contract provisions.

You must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management (qualifications to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required): A.) Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM) OR B.) Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT) 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

*Applicants must meet all minimum qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the Job Announcement.

Secondary Firefighter Retirement Coverage - Applicants for this secondary administrative fire fighter position under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d), must possess knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of wildland firefighting as demonstrated by direct wildland firefighting experience. In order to receive credit, you must provide a written description of your experience in wildland firefighting. Education without hands‑on wildland firefighting experience does not meet this requirement. Periods of wildland firefighting experience, gained through militia and rural fire departments, can also be credited.

Wildland fire is defined as any non‑structure fire that occurs in the wildland. Two distinct types of wildland fire have been defined and include wildfire and prescribed fires as follows: Wildfire: Unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires. Prescribed Fires: Planned ignitions. This description includes only fire line experience on a Prescribed Fire; it does not include experience in the planning stages. Prescribed fire experience must be supplemented by fire suppression experience in order to be creditable as previous wildland firefighting experience.

Physical Demands: Long irregular hours are required, much of it occurring during periods of fire operations. Frequent standing, walking and long periods outside in high temperatures and direct sunlight may be required while working around multiple arriving and departing aircraft. Activities in and around moving aircraft and other equipment require constant monitoring and alertness for hazardous conditions and safety of personnel. Work in an office environment and long periods of sedentary work occurs when reports and flight records are prepared. Lifting and carrying heavy equipment/materials and operating a variety of hand and power tools is required for base set‑up, tear down, and maintenance/repair.

Working Conditions: Majority of activities are performed in an airbase environment, both inside and outdoors. Extreme variations in temperature and climactic conditions are common. Work requires use of safety equipment including hearing and eye protection and high visibility clothing. Exposed to irritant chemicals is possible. The work involves exposure to operating aircraft that result in high noise lev