Branch Chief, Pilot Operations (Aerial Supervision)

About the role

This position is a Supervisory Aviation Management Specialist Branch Chief, Pilot Operations (Aerial Supervision), GW-2101-14 assigned to the Headquarters (HQ) Aviation: Flight Operations organization for the US Wildland Fire Service. In order to qualify for this position, you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below: Selective Placement Factor(s): This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified. SPF#1 - Prior firefighting experience: This is an administrative position in an organization having a firefighting mission and is clearly in an established career path. Prior firefighting experience, as gained by substantial service in a primary firefighter position or equivalent experience outside the Federal government is a MANDATORY PREREQUISITE. Applicants must have documented prior primary firefighting experience, with substantial service defined as either: At least one full fire season working in a primary wildland firefighting role (e.g., Engine Crew, Fire Effects Crew, Prescribed Fire/Fuels Crew, Hand Crew, Helitack Crew, Hotshot Crew, Smokejumper, Wildland Fire Modules or Fire Suppression Crews, etc.) with a federal, state, tribal, local, or private-sector organization; - OR - At least 14 days of on-the-ground fireline experience (cumulative or consecutive). Prior primary wildland fire experience must be clearly documented in your resume. Note: an IQCS Master Record or equivalent document will not be used to determine or calculate prior primary wildland fire experience eligibility for this requirement. Firefighter Special Retirement (Secondary Coverage): This is a secondary/administrative fire position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). While secondary positions are not subject to the maximum entry age policy, the selectee must have prior service in a primary position and meet the transfer requirement for movement from a primary to secondary position to be eligible for special retirement coverage. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure this office has enough information to determine your retirement status to ensure you do not lose benefits (normally through submission of your SF-50). YOU MUST LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN A PRIMARY POSITION. SPF #2: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified. 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). Qualified as an Air Tactical Pilot (LPIL), Air Tactical Specialist (ATGS or AITS), or Air Operations Manager (ASGS or AOBD), -or- equivalent experience in managing complex aviation programs focused on aerial firefighting operations. Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic entry requirement, applicants must have specialized experience to be found qualified. In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - please be sure to include this information in your resume. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade. To qualify for the GS-14 grade level, 1 year of creditable specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 is required. Examples of work include, but are not limited to the following: Manages a geographic/national program that supports wildland fire and aviation operations, including development of policies, guidance documents, and SOPs. Provides leadership and technical authority for aviation operations used in wildland fire management and related operations. Supervises an aviation team (base work GW-12/13), setting performance standards, conducting administrative functions, and overseeing a branch-level budget and procurement. Merit Promotion candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements by 06/26/2026. Eligibility and Qualification Requirements: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the Job Announcement. Specifically, i. Area of Consideration. ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions.

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