Helicopter Operations Specialist

Duties

Administers the National helicopter rappel operations program and serves as a principal advisor on all helicopter administrative and technical matters. Analyzes and monitors broad program elements of flight activities in complex aviation organizations, and evaluates program change proposals. Provides operational leadership in helicopter rappel operations for fire suppression.

Plans, develops, and approves training in operational procedures. Serves as a primary instructor for Interagency, National and Regional training programs. Evaluates trainee helicopter rappel spotters. Provides Interagency safety oriented training.

Provides advice on transportation matters and programs to managers of a significant organizational segment of an agency.

Maintains close working relations with all rappel related industry to maintain currency on helicopter rappel operations.

Develops and recommends helicopter operational policies and directives. Develops and authors National Interagency projects such as various guides.

Supports the National Helicopter Operations Specialist (NHOS) in all helicopter operations including aerial ignition, transportation of personnel and cargo including hazardous materials into remote areas, helicopter crew training, and equipment suitability.

Serves as Forest Service Qualified Technical Investigator on aviation or incident investigations, including those involving employee fatalities.

Performs inspections and site visits to assure compliance with policies and procedures, and develops recommended actions to correct deficiencies.

Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical capabilities and other duties as assigned.

Duties listed are at the full performance level.

Qualifications

You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. 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. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements.

GS-11: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least to the GS-9 grade level; at least three years of graduate level education or a doctorate with major study in fields directly related to the position; or an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work with major study in fields directly related to the position. Examples of specialized experience are: Assisting in providing technical expertise in the use of helicopters in support of a wide variety of fire suppression, natural resource management or all hazard and law enforcement activities; assisting in drafting recommendations related to helicopter operational policies and directives; assisting in conducting training in helicopter rappel operations, and assisting in conducting field training in aircraft use in fire suppression.

GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least to the GS-11 grade level. Examples include: Directing and coordinating helicopter rappel operations in support of fire suppression, prescribed fire and resource management; assisting in creating and preparing recommendations related to helicopter operational policies and directives; assisting in developing training materials and conducted training in helicopter rappel operations and handling of hazardous materials or aviation fuels.

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR:

• A minimum 90 days on-the-line (Primary Rigorous) wildland firefighting experience gained through containment, control, suppression, or use of wildland fire as a member of an organized fire suppression crew or comparable unit that utilized knowledge of wildland fire suppression techniques and practices under various conditions -OR- aerial wildland fire suppression experience in fire retardant drops or air attacks (ATGS). This experience must be documented with specific dates in the online application or resume and in the free-text box located in the Questionnaire including reference names and current phone numbers for verification.

To receive consideration for this position, you must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.