Position is in support of an exclusive use Helicopter Type 3 helicopter program based out of Everglades National Park or Big Cypress National Preserve, duty location to be determined at time of selection. In order to be considered for any duty location, ensure desired locations are selected. If you have additional questions about this position, please contact Jack Weer at Jackson_Weer@nps.gov Please ensure you read the announcement fully prior to submitting application package.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement08/04/2025 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), 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. **NOTE - Please limit your resume to no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. You can only submit one resume; Only the resume submitted under the "Resume" "Document Type" will be used to determine your qualifications and for rating purposes. Selective Factors: The applicant must have possessed all the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position: Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) Helicopter Crew Member (HECM) Portable Pumps and Water Use (S-211) NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations (S-212) -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. -AND- EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: To Qualify for GW-07 One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS/GW-06 level in the Federal service (or equivalent). Examples of specialized experience include: Performing in Wildland hand-crew Fire Operations, to include initial attack and Fire-line Suppression Operations; Prescribed Fire Operations; Helitack Operations; leading or supervising others; 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. NOTE: If your firefighting experience includes both structural and wildland, it is essential that your application materials clearly separate and document your wildland experience. 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.
Proficient use of FM radios & familiar with aviation avionics Make decision as to when, where and how equipment can be utilized to the greatest advantage, ensuring proper assembly of equipment and supplies for fire or daily work assignments. Proper manifesting of personnel and cargo. Proper use of internal and external loads Maintaining Helitack fire suppression equipment such as Chainsaws, Pumps, and Fire Tools Serve as back-up or assistant to the first level supervisor or lead in their absence. Directs helicopter crewmember duties such as: prepares internal and/or external cargo loads, briefs passengers before takeoff, follows proper procedures for loading/unloading the helicopter, constructs helispots or landing areas, monitors dipsites, and prepares sling load sites. Leads aviation mission planning in coordination with pilot to include evaluation of environmental conditions, application of aviation safety plans, and briefing mission objectives. Participates in and may direct helicopter operations to include accompanying pilot on flights, providing radio communications to dispatch and/or ground firefighters, navigating with use of maps and applying aviation safety regulations. May serve as a rappeler or short hauler.