Lead Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Heli Manager)(Direct Hiring Authority)

Duties Performs as a helicopter specialist on a park or multi-park (zone) providing technical expertise for helicopter projects.
Schedules, organizes, and carries out a wide variety of phased projects such as aerial ignition, seeding, search and rescue, wildfire, etc.
Operates, maintains, inspects, and services a wide range of specialized accessory equipment needed for technical missions.
During wildfires, natural disasters, search and rescues, and other emergencies, serves in the capacity of helicopter manager.
Responses may occur on the park, or in support of local agreements or on an interagency basis in support of regional and national interagency mission needs.
Provides pilots, crews, and dispatchers with detailed briefings on incident objectives, situations, and tactics.
Determines incident needs and orders personnel, equipment and supplies through appropriate incident ordering channels.
Assists the Helicopter Program Manager in the execution of the operational aspects of complex helicopter operations, utilizing different helicopter models with varying capabilities.
Responsible for helicopter safety and compliance with applicable policies and procedures.
Ensures adherence to all flight-following policies and procedures.
Monitors and tracks flight and/or duty hours of pilots, mechanics, and fuel truck drivers to ensure that contract limitations are not exceeded.
Conducts preflight and post-flight briefings with pilots and helitack crew.
Assist the Helicopter Program Manager with ensuring helicopter contract specifications are followed and coordinate with COR for any discrepancies.
This includes but does not limit verifying turbine engine power checks are completed and reviews of aircraft log book are completed to ensure appropriate aircraft maintenance is documented.
Coordinates, and serves as a unit instructor for park and geographic area courses or workshops which instruct helitack, park, and other cooperating agency personnel in helicopter operations, wildland fire, and other related subject areas.
Conducts training in the use of specialized and aircraft specific equipment and procedures.
**Conditions of Employment, Continued** You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
Subject to frequent extended travel up to 14 or more nights per month particularly during fire season, and you must obtain a government charge card for travel.
You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
Position with Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is a Full-Time, Permanent position.
Position with Mount Rainier National Park is a Full-Time Career Seasonal position.
Selectee is guaranteed to work at least 22 Bi-Weekly pay periods and be placed into non-pay time of 4 Bi-Weekly pay periods per year, with the work schedule determined upon appointment.
You will be expected to go into non pay status from December through January each year and you will be in pay status from February through November.
Annual salary represents the GS annual salary for the Rest-of-US.
Annual salary for Enumclaw will be under the Seattle, WA locality.
For more information, please visit: General Schedule (opm.
gov) Requirements Conditions of Employment U.
S.
Citizenship required.
Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment.
In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and also pass a medical examination (which includes vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized government physician.
You will also be required to undergo periodic medical examinations throughout employment.
The Work Capacity Test (WCT-Pack Test) as a method for assessing an employee's fitness levels for fire qualifications in the positions covered by this recruitment notice.
Employees required to pass a WCT-Pack Test as a "condition of employment".
Arduous fitness (WCT-Pack Test) will consist of completing a three-mile hike, within 45 minutes, while carrying a 45 pound pack.
You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required.
You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record.
You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
Selectees may be expected to travel in (not pilot) a small single-engine aircraft.
You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards.
A uniform allowance will be provided.
Qualifications All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-02/14/2024-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience.
For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted.
An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience.
For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, 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.
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.
Selective Factors: The applicant must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements for this position specified in the current version of the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations, PMS 310-1 (Redbook) to be considered eligible for this position: 1.
One season as a Fire Helicopter Squad Boss 2: Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) 3: Helicopter Manager (HMGB) - AND - Applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).
Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position.
Examples of specialized experience could include (1) personally performing in Wildland Fire Helicopter Operations and at least one of the following wildland firefighting functions: Initial attack and Fireline Suppression Operations; Prescribed Fire Operations; Helitack Operations; and (2) 1 season as a Helicopter Squad boss personally leading others in any two of the following functions: initial attack and suppression hand-crew operations; prescribed fire operations; wildland fire engine crew operations; helitack fire crew operations; providing on-the-job training and conducting daily crew briefings, safety sessions, and/or other basic wildland fire training.
You must include hours per week worked.
-AND- This position is covered by the special retirement provisions of 5 U.
S.
C.
8336 (c) and 5 U.
S.
C.
8412 (d) as a Primary/Rigorous Firefighter.
Applicants must be 18 years of age, but not have reached their 37th birthday by the closing date of this announcement.
These positions are covered by the special enhanced annuity retirement provisions for Federal Firefighters and Law Enforcement officers and have a mandatory retirement age of 57.
Two exceptions are allowed: 1) an applicant has prior Federal service in documented special retirement covered position(s) sufficient to count toward 20 years of covered service on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57; or 2) an applicant is a qualified veterans' preference eligible, in which case the MEA is waived and their corresponding retirement age may be higher than 57 after completing 20 years of service.
Applicants must submit proof of their previous and/or current status in the Fire Fighter or Law Enforcement special enhanced annuity retirement system.
Volunteer Experience: 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.
This is a secondary-administrative firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.
S.
C.
8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.
S.
C.
8412 (d) (FERS).
PLEASE NOTE: Applicants may meet qualification requirements but may not be eligible for special retirement coverage.
If such an applicant is selected, they will be placed in the regular retirement system.
Education When submitting college transcripts, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking.
Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.
S.
education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.
S.
accredited college or university.
Additional information This notice is being issued to recruit personnel to occupations for which a critical hiring need has been identified.
To assist in filling these positions, OPM has granted the Department of the Interior "Direct Hire Authority".
A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position.
A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR §575.
102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.
A Relocation Incentive May Be Authorized for a Federal employee when the employee must move, as directed by the National Park Service (NPS) either through a management directed reassignment or selection for employment, to a different location at least 50 miles away from the one where his/her position of record held at time of selection is currently located, due to a need of the NPS.
A relocation incentive is not the same as a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move and, as such, may be granted in conjunction with one another.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Physical Demands: The Assistant Helicopter Manager is typically an initial attack responder for many incidents.
Duties include demands for strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time.
Operation of some specialized fire equipment can place extended physical stress on the incumbent during fire activities.
The work frequently involves long shifts and complex decision making, and extended periods of time away from home.
Working Conditions: The work is performed at remote locations, airstrips, helibases, unimproved helispots, and park environments of extreme high and low temperatures, steep terrain, and uneven work surfaces.
The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (boots, hardhat, gloves, flame resistant clothing, etc.
).
Work may require travel by light fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft, and operating fire trucks (engines) under adverse conditions.
Due to the mission requirements of low-level flight in mountainous terrain, firefighting, and incident support, the work involves exposure to potentially dangerous situations caused by uncontrolled wildfire and low-level, high performance flight missions.
With numerous aircraft being flown in close proximity and in mountainous terrain, errors could be catastrophic and result in serious injury or death.
Other hazards include, the handling of hazardous materials, carbon monoxide, dust and debris and the use of other mechanical or motorized equipment.
The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are not suitable for telework.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Click the following link for more information, https://help.
usastaffing.
gov/Apply/index.
php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.
Benefits A career with the U.
S.
government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants will be evaluated based on how well they meet the qualification requirements.
Upon receipt of the completed application package, a review of the application will be made to ensure basic qualification requirements are met.
This vacancy will be filled through DOI's Direct Hire Authority.
Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to positions filled under this Authority.
All qualified applicants, as determined by the SHRO, will be referred for consideration.
While managers and supervisors are not required to conduct interviews, it is highly recommended that they do so in order to assess the competencies of each applicant.
If an applicant's resume is incomplete or does not support the requirements for minimum qualifications or specialized experience a rating of "ineligible" or "not qualified" will be applied and no consideration for employment will be granted.
If a determination is made that an applicant has inflated qualifications or experience on the resume, the employee will receive no consideration for the position, as per OPM regulations.
Benefits A career with the U.
S.
government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Documents As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits.
Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee.
You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/14/2024: Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, dates specified in month and year format, and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.
e.
, work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time).
If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience.
If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) - If you are applying under CTAP and ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.
602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.
704 for ICTAP.
This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location.
Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.
Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other equivalent documentation which reflects completion of the required NWCG qualifications for this position.
If a qualified veteran preference eligible as applicable to the Selective Factor Maximum Entry Age (MEA) under the Qualifications Section above: Qualified Veterans Preference Documentation that you meet Exception #2 under MEA: If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15.
If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15.
You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.
ebenefits.
va.
gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
Other Supporting Documents Documentation that you meet Selective Factors.
College transcripts are required if qualifying on education.
Do not submit photographs with your application package.
Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents.
Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.
Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/14/2024.
You must provide documentation to support your claim for each eligibility selected.
Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibilities language to ensure you submit the appropriate information.
Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation.
Select Apply.
If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application.
" Click here for USAJobs Help with "How to create an application" To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.
usastaffing.
gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12242258 Select or add the resume you want to use for this application.
Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS.
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
Select if you want to include your demographic information.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site.
" Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
Review and Submit Application.
While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position.
Select "Update Application" for this job.
Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS.
Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record.
It is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
Agency contact information Christine Funderburk Phone 000-000-0000 Email christine_funderburk@nps.
gov Address Fire and Aviation, DOI Regions 8, 9, 10 and 12 Interim Office NPS PWRO 909 First Street Suite 500 Seattle, WA 98104 US Next steps Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful.
If you are among the qualified candidates, your name will be referred to the hiring official, and you may be contacted directly for a possible interview.
You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.
Fair and Transparent The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent.
Please read the following guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Reasonable accommodation policy Financial suitability Selective Service New employee probationary period Signature and false statements Privacy Act Social security number request Required Documents The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/14/2024: Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, dates specified in month and year format, and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.
e.
, work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time).
If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience.
If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) - If you are applying under CTAP and ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.
602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.
704 for ICTAP.
This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location.
Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.
Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record or other equivalent documentation which reflects completion of the required NWCG qualifications for this position.
If a qualified veteran preference eligible as applicable to the Selective Factor Maximum Entry Age (MEA) under the Qualifications Section above: Qualified Veterans Preference Documentation that you meet Exception #2 under MEA: If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15.
If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15.
You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.
ebenefits.
va.
gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
Other Supporting Documents Documentation that you meet Selective Factors.
College transcripts are required if qualifying on education.
Do not submit photographs with your application package.
Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents.
Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.
Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Help 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.
Clarification from the agency Applications will be accepted from any U.
S.
Citizen.
DIRECT HIRING AUTHORITY will be used to fill this position.