Summary Position is located in Alaska's Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) Division; the duty location can be located in Denali Park, Fairbanks or Anchorage, Alaska. In support of an exclusive use helicopter Type 3 helicopter program based out of Denali National Park. If you have additional questions please contact Keith Mitchell at keith_mitchell@nps.gov. Responsibilities Denali Park Position: Here is a unique opportunity to work in a challenging and dynamic fire & aviation program that provides helicopter services to Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Denali National Park & Preserve, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Western Arctic National Parklands (Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Kobuk Valley National Park and Noatak National Preserve) for approximately 20 million acres. The Helicopter Program Manager of the Alaska Western Area Fire Management program is primarily responsible for daily operations of the Fire Exclusive-use helicopter. Duties include wildfire initial attack, extended attack, fuels management, fire ecology, other all-risk incidents including search and rescue, resource helicopter operations, contract administration, and record keeping. The exclusive use helicopter program manager may also provide the same services for other National Parks and interagency operations and support cooperative work with other Federal, state and local authorities. The wide variety of helicopter operations managed by the incumbent requires flexibility and the skill to balance competing priorities. Ensures all Bureaus, Department, FAA, NTSB, and OSHA safety regulations and policy are strictly enforced for helicopter, suppression and project activities. As necessary serves as the alternative or primary Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and Project Inspector (PI).Responsible for acquisition, aviation budget, inventory, monitoring and maintenance of helicopter support vehicles, manages permanent and temporary helibases, equipment and accessories, aerial ignition equipment, personal protective equipment, etc. The incumbent provides technical expertise for helicopter operations, instructs fire and aviation related courses as qualified, and performs other duties as assigned. Western Area Fire Management provides fire management and aviation services as a jurisdictional agency representing Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Denali National Park & Preserve, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Western Arctic National Parklands (Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Kobuk Valley National Park and Noatak National Preserve). Western Area parks average approximately 40,000 acres burned annually. Additional information about the National Parks Service in Alaska can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/locations/alaska/index.htm Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males. Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use. You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Government housing may be available. Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft. You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period. Subject to frequent extended travel up to 14 nights a month particularly during fire season, and you must obtain a government charge card for travel. You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority. May be required to operate a small watercraft less than 26 feet in length. Operation includes transport of personnel (including visitors), tools, and materials/supplies to job/work sites. May be required to carry Firearms in the back-country, or other locations, for non-law enforcement reasons such as protection from animals. Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and also pass a medical examination (which includes vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized government physician. You will also be required to periodic medical examinations throughout employment. See Next Step Section for information on the Work Capacity Test (WCT-Pack Test) Qualifications All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement10/15/2024 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. 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: 1. Held or currently hold Helicopter Manager (HMGB, previously HCWN, HELB or HEMG) NWCG Incident Management Qualification; - AND - 2. Held or currently hold Helibase Manager (HEBM) NWCG Incident Management Qualification - AND - 3. Held or currently hold Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) NWCG Incident Management Qualification. Selectees for IFPM positions requiring currency will be required to obtain and maintain currency for the NWCG qualifications listed above. SELECTIVE FACTOR: 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: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-8 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience must include: (1) personally performing in Wildland Fire Helicopter Operations and at least one of the following wildland firefighting functions: Initial attack and Fireline Suppression Operations; Prescribed Fire Operations; Helitack Operations; and (2) personally leading or supervising others in any two of the following functions: 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. You must include hours per week worked. 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. Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties; and also pass a medical examination (which includes vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized government physician. You will also be required to periodic medical examinations throughout employment. The Work Capacity Test (WCT-Pack Test) as a method for assessing an employee's fitness levels for fire qualifications in the positions covered by this recruitment notice. Arduous fitness (WCT-Pack Test) will consist of completing a three-mile hike, within 45 minutes, while carrying a 45 pound pack.NOTE: Arduous Work Capacity Test Education There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level of this announcement. Additional Information This notice is being issued to recruit personnel to occupations for which a critical hiring need has been identified. To assist in filling these positions, OPM has granted the Department of the Interior "Direct Hire Authority". A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR §575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive. A Relocation Incentive May Be Authorized for a Federal employee when the employee must move, as directed by the National Park Service (NPS) either through a management directed reassignment or selection for employment, to a different location at least 50 miles away from the one where his/her position of record held at time of selection is currently located, due to a need of the NPS. A relocation incentive is not the same as a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move and, as such, may be granted in conjunction with one another. This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Physical Demands: The Helicopter Manager is typically the initial attack responder for many incidents. Duties include demands for strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time. Operation of some specialized fire equipment can place extended physical stress on the incumbent during fire activities. The work frequently involves long shifts and complex decision making, and extended periods of time away from home. Working Conditions: The work is performed at remote locations, airstrips, helibases, unimproved helispots, and park environments of extreme high and low temperatures, steep terrain, and uneven work surfaces. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (boots, hardhat, gloves, flame resistant clothing, etc.). Work may require travel by light fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft, and operating firetrucks (engines) under adverse conditions. Due to the mission requirements of low-level flight in mountainous terrain, firefighting, and incident support, the work involves exposure to potentially dangerous situations caused by uncontrolled wildfire and low-level, high performance flight missions. With numerous aircraft being flown in close proximity and in mountainous terrain, errors could be catastrophic and result in serious injury or death. Other hazards include, the handling of hazardous materials, carbon monoxide, dust and debris and the use of other mechanical or motorized equipment. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will be paid if the person selected for the position is from outside the local commuting area and is otherwise eligible for reimbursement of relocation expenses under the Federal Travel Regulations.