Airplane Pilot Job in Soldotna, AK

Vacancy No. R7-25-12663923-RM-DE Department U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Salary $122,916.00 to $159,718.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/13/2025 Close Date 1/15/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Soldotna, AK


Summary

The incumbent of this position supports the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) mission andprograms in the Alaska Region by operating aircraft in support of a variety of areas (biological, public use, subsistence,maintenance, etc.). The USFWS has trust responsibilities for resources across the state and throughout the Region. The employee supports natural resource conservation through logistics and assisting with data collection for scientific studies.

Duties

As a Airplane Pilot your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Serves as pilot-in-command of single engine, wheel, float, fixed-wing aircraft. Flight hours will depend on the organizational need and budgets, but for a full-time employee will generally average between 350 and 450 hours per year; and a significant amount of this time involves wildlife surveys and patrols under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), often below 500 feet above ground level (AGL) over hazardous terrain.
  • Coordinates with other Airplane Pilots in the Region to ensure logged Regional flight scheduler requests for flight services made by Regional staff and programs and outside interests are fulfilled safely, timely, and efficiently; and communicates and coordinates closely with management concerning aircraft support of field operations.
  • Maintains records, including: pilot training records, check ride expiration dates, flight hours, aircraft maintenance needs, aircraft inspection dates, and other information.
  • Assists in performing biological surveys including but not limited to waterfowl, raptor, vegetative mapping, radio telemetry, data tabulation, classification of habitats, and other related field and office work. Most surveys will be aerial, but incumbent will occasionally participate in ground surveys which will involve walking or working out of canoes and small boats.
  • The incumbent may coordinate or assist in emergency operations, including search and rescue, wildfire management, law enforcement and emergency medical operations; provide support to law enforcement for criminal investigations; plan and coordinate logistical arrangements for field camps; perform resource management projects including wildlife capture and tracking, population counts, vegetation studies, and erosion monitoring; etc.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • Drug Testing Position: Selectees tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
  • Driver’s License: This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties. Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license throughout their employment in this position.
  • Firearm: Selectees will be required to carry a firearm in the performance of their duties.
  • Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
  • Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Applicant will be required to obtain a Federal Aviation Administration Commercial Single Engine Seaplane Rating.
  • Applicant must provide a copy of front and back of the Federal Aviation Administration license that includes the certificate number.
  • Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. To verify registration, visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date 01/15/2025 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Selective Placement Factor and Minimum Qualification.

Selective Placement Factor:

Per Department of the Interior Departmental Manual 351 DM 3 - Section 3.2(A): the minimum pilot experience required is:1,500 hours of total pilot time; 1,200 hours Pilot In Command (PIC) in category (Airplane);75 hours PIC night in category (Airplane);100 hours of flying time in the last 12 months; This position requires an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate (Airplane Single Engine Land) or FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate (demonstrate possession of knowledge and skills required for the work by meeting minimum flight hour requirements, including recency of flight experience.)This position requires a Federal Aviation Administration Instrument Rating (or military or other acceptable certificate) of 75 hours of actual or simulated flight time; at least 10 of the required hours must have been logged in actual instrument weather.

Minimum Qualification GS-12

One year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level Examples of experience may include: experience with flying a fixed-wing Single Engine, or Multi-Aircraft and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements, and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the position; maintains records, including: pilot training records, check ride expiration dates, flight hours, aircraft maintenance needs, aircraft inspection dates, and other information; and assist in emergency operations, including search and rescue, wildfire management, law enforcement and emergency medical operations.

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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

PCS INFORMATION: No PCS entitlements authorized

Telework: This position is suitable for telework only in an emergency or natural disaster.

Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements) for the position with a score of 85 or above on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application.
For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.

Cost of Living Allowance: In addition to the yearly salary, this position is entitled to a 3 percent cost-of-living allowance (COLA). This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment, and rate decrease.

Applicants are ineligible for this position if ANY time they have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence, unless such conviction was expunged, set aside or the applicant receives a pardon.

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.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications outlined above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Knowledge and skill to safely operate single engine fixed-wing aircraft at minimum air speed and low altitudes (less than 500 feet AGL) over unfavorable terrain in remote wilderness areas. Under the command of the incumbent, flights will be conducted from field landing strips (such as beaches, gravel bars, ridge tops, lakes and rivers) of restricted size in isolated areas. Accurate weather predictions are often difficult or impossible to obtain and incumbent must often make independent decisions on suitable safe flying conditions.
  • Skill in takeoff and landing in an airplane, using wheels, skis, or floats on and off airport. Uses aircraft performance, pilot abilities and environmental conditions to ensure safe landing and takeoff.
  • Knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations and the ability to exercise sound judgment to ensure all activities conform to the relevant rules and regulations.
  • Knowledge in conducting special purpose missions in an airplane such as low-level fish and wildlife surveys and radio-telemetry aerial tracking of wildlife in mountainous terrain.
All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category are: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Note: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will pay expenses for the applicant to travelto Anchorage and go through the Pre-Employment Flight evaluation with the Regional Aviation Manager. Pre-Employment Flight evaluations will occur prior to a tentative job offer.

Required Documents

You must submit a complete application package. We will not make assumptions about your experience and/or education.

Required Documents:

  1. 1. Resume: Your resume must describe your job-related qualifications (paid and non-paid work experience) that includes job title, beginning and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and description of job duties. You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form, you must ensure this information is provided. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. Note: Current and former Federal employees should include pay plan, series, and grade level for relevant federal experience.
  • Do not include the following types of information in your resume:
    • Classified or government sensitive information
    • Social Security Number (SSN)
    • Photos of yourself
    • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
    • Encrypted and digitally signed documents
2. Class I or Class II Federal Aviation Administration Medical Certificate.
3. Federal Aviation Administration Pilot License (Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot; OR Airline Transport Pilot Certificate) license. Applicants must provide a copy of the front and back of the license to include the certificate number.
4. Flight Logs Records.

Additional Documentation, if applicable:
1. Cover Letter
2. Veterans' Preference Documentation: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 Member Copy 2 or 4 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. (i.e. VA letter). You may not be awarded preference if you do not attach the correct Veteran Documentation as specified above.

3. CTAP/ICTAP Documentation: If you are applying under CTAP or 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.

4. Current and former federal employees - It is recommended that you submit a copy of your SF-50(s) (Notification of Personnel Action) to support your experience. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include appointments/separations, promotions, within-grade increases.

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

How to Apply

Review the appointment eligibility criteria in the application preview linked below. The eligibility section of the application allows you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to and submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section or the application text. You may qualify for more than one eligibility, so please choose carefully. If you respond that you do not meet any of the eligibility criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents section.

Click 'Apply' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.

  1. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To preview the assessment questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12663923.
  2. Please ensure you check the acknowledgement checkbox then click the Submit Application button to submit your application.
  3. Applications must be received by 01/15/2025 ,11:59pm ET to receive consideration.
  4. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, in Applications tab, click the position title you applied to for the status. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact the Human Resources Office via email at fwshiring@fws.gov.

Agency contact information

Human Resources Staffing Division
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once you submit all the required documents and the online application in USAJOBS, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the evaluation process is complete, you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted by the hiring official.
You will be notified if this job is filled or canceled. Timelines for this process vary widely.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login) as we will not be responding to inquiries about the status of applications as long as the system has been updated.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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