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Wildland Firefighter (Aviation Dispatch GACC)

Forest Service


Job Location:

Redding, CA - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 67617 - 67617
Posted: 6 October 2026 (14 hours ago)
Application Deadline: 3 January 2027
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

This position is located in Region 5 Pacific Southwest Redding California.

The primary purpose of this position is Regional fire aviation dispatching scheduling Forest Service and contract aviation resources aircraft equipment personnel and supplies for suppression of wild land fires.

For additional information about the duties of this position please contact Region 5: Pacific Southwest Region - Brian Grabowski -


Duties
  • Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-09 level.
  • Takes fire suppression dispatching and mobilization action on a 24-hour basis receiving calls and dispatching from home after office hours when on call at night.
  • Analyzes the situation and dispatches requested aid from the Regional Office Zone IDC based on the variables of relative priorities travel time availability of transportation and the qualifications of personnel to meet the request.
  • Responsible for the planning development operation and implementation of the Regional light aircraft coordination plan between the Regional Office Forests Zone and other Regions.
  • Has the expertise to assure that operational standards and safety requirements are met.
  • Responsible for implementation of agency flight following systems and procedures while coordinating flight information with all units.
  • Manages the ordering scheduling dispatching and tracking of regional aircraft.

Requirements
Conditions of employment

    • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
    • Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
    • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
    • Successful completion of one-year probationary period unless previously served.
    • Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
    • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities visit E-Verify.
    • Must be 18 years of age.
    • This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice.
    • Must pass the Work Capacity Test for certain Interagency Fire Program Management or Fire Program Management positions.
    • Secondary Coverage: Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.
    • Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
    • Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state drivers license; a commercial drivers license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination.
    • As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.
    • There may be additional Conditions of Employment not listed here however applicants will be notified of any specific requirements at the time a tentative job offer is made.
    Qualifications

    In order to qualify you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position visit the Office of Personnel Managements General Schedule Qualification Standards.

    Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

    Specialized Experience Requirement:
    For the GW-08:
    Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GW-07) in the Federal Service.
    Examples of specialized experience may include: Performing training and safety program support activities for an aviation program; evaluating and coordinating operational situations in fire and/or aviation management to ensure the distribution of adequate resources; following mobilization plans emergency and disaster plans and dispatch policies and procedures; performing dispatch duties coordinating ground and air transportation and determining the nature of the resources needed including personnel equipment and services required to respond to varying levels of crisis.
    OR
    two full years (36 semester/54 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level education or masters degree if the coursework is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry range management agriculture);
    OR
    combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position (in excess of 18 semester/27 quarter hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

    For the GW-09: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GW-08) in the Federal Service;
    Examples of specialized experience are: Performing contract management aviation training and safety program support activities for an aviation program; evaluating and coordinating operational situations in fire and/or aviation management to ensure the distribution of adequate resources; implementing and maintaining mobilization plans emergency and disaster plans and dispatch policies and procedures; preparing cost and budgetary data for comparative analysis flight justification payment documents and flight plans for contract and on call personnel; independently performing dispatch duties coordinating ground and air transportation and determining the nature of the resources needed including personnel equipment and services required to respond to varying levels of crisis.
    OR
    two full years (36 semester/54 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level education or masters degree if the coursework is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry range management agriculture);
    OR
    combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position (in excess of 18 semester/27 quarter hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

    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.

    FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history.

    To receive consideration for this position you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

    Education

    See QUALIFICATION section for educational requirements.

    Additional information

    Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Reemployment Priority List (RPL) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors.

    These are permanent positions with varying tours of duty and may include weekend work. Some positions may have irregular and protracted hours of work. Tours of duty include full-time or less than full time (guaranteed minimum 13 pay periods full-time employment).

    Availability of government housing federal day care facilities and telework may be available. Some positions filled via this announcement are bargaining unit positions represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees IAMAW. This is dependent upon unit location.

    The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Managements website for additional information on pay rates.

    Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.

    The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website.

    Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk Option 1 or email


    PROMOTION POTENTIAL: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential you will be placed under a career development plan and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However promotion is neither implied or guaranteed.

    Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

    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.

    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.


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