This position is located in the U .S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services (WS) program. you will serve as a Pilot with responsibility for flying rotary wing aircraft (helicopters) in support of WS operations to protect a variety of resources and human interests from wildlife damage.
BASIC REQUIREMENT: Minimum eligibility requirements for positions in this occupation are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements, and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the positions. Certificates and Ratings: Candidates must possess a current Commercial Pilot Certificate with helicopter rating or the appropriate military rating. NOTE: Candidates establishing eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot, flight instructor, or flight examiner, as appropriate. Other certificates that meet or exceed the requirements of the Commercial Pilot Certificate are also acceptable, e.g., an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. Flight Experience: Candidates must demonstrate possession of the knowledge and skills required for the work by meeting certain minimum flight hour requirements, including recency of flight experience. Only that flight experience that is directly related to the work of the position is required for purposes of establishing minimum eligibility. The following flight hour requirements apply to all applicants: -Total Flight Time: -- 1500 hours. Flight time as pilot-in command or copilot in aircraft of any weight or category is creditable for this requirement. -Pilot-In-Command -- 250 hours. Only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable. -Night Flying -- 75 hours. -Flying Time, Last 12 Months -- 100 hours In addition to meeting OPM requirements, all pilots (WS & Contract) must meet the following: The following Selective Placement Factor (SPF) requirement is being used to determine whether an applicant fully qualifies for this position. Therefore, it is MANDATORY that all applicants meet this requirement in order to receive further consideration for this job vacancy. Applicants must demonstrate that they have the knowledge and experience of the SPF listed below. Evidence of this experience must be documented in your resume. Applicants who fail to meet this requirement and/or address the SPF may lose further consideration: - 1200 hours PIC flight time in single or multi-engine helicopter; and - 100 hours in light class size aircraft; and - 100 hours in a helicopter equipped with a turbine engine; and - 100 hours PIC time in the preceding 12 months, including 50 hours in the preceding 6 months of low-level flight over hazardous or mountainous terrain, and operations conducted from unimproved airstrips/helipads at high-density altitudes; and - 250 hours experience as PIC for wildlife damage management operations; or - 250 hours experience in aerial live capture, darting, or tagging/marking operations in which the helicopter was consistently flown and maneuvered close to the surface; or - 500 hours experience in agriculture application operations or similar WS type flying experience: or - For pilots that do not have the above specialized low-level requirements, other low-level helicopter pilot experience may be substituted when approved by the Aviation Training and Operations Center National Aviation Manager and Director of Safety and Operations on a case by case basis. FOR THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the Federal service. - Experience flying at low levels (less than 500 feet AGL). - Experience landing on unimproved and/or remote terrain. - Experience flying in adverse environmental conditions 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. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.
The duties may include, but are not limited to:
Frequently pilots a helicopter with a crew member, gunner, or observer on board for the purpose of locating and/or shooting predatory or other damaging animals.
Operations of improved and unimproved landing areas, including roads and other open areas, which occasionally involve exposure to strong surface wind and air currents.
Flight assignments generally involve flying at minimum speeds, at low altitudes, normally under favorable weather conditions, and over unfavorable terrain (e.g., mountains, forests, or deserts).
Flight assignments may also involve search and rescue projects, surveys, or other searches for various wildlife species, sometimes with the use of radio-telemetry to aid in wildlife location.
Responsible for ensuring both routine and unusual maintenance and airworthiness of helicopters placed under their responsibility in accordance with the APHIS Aviation Operations manual.
Responsible for receiving recurrent flight training, and for providing training and instruction to other WS personnel in the proper procedures and techniques of shooting (gunning) from a helicopter.
Ensures all aerial operations including, but not limited to, hours flown, areas flown, and numbers of animals removed, are documented through aircraft and personal log books.
Remains current on required pilot qualifications and licensing and continually reviews applicable policies, laws, and regulations. Incumbent is cognizant of aviation industry practices and methods.
Has working knowledge of the habits, characteristics, and habitats occupied by target species that are a threat in terms of economic interest or public health aspects of human and livestock safety.