## INTRODUCTION

The incumbent serves as a helitack squad boss on an exclusive use
contracted helicopter suppression crew within a Fire and Aviation
Management organization. Serves as a Helicopter Manager, Type 4 or 5
Incident Commander and other suppression positions and directs three or
more squad members which are part of a rapidly deployed helicopter crew
utilized for initial attack on wildland fires and large fire support.
Although this crew is primarily a local fire resource, the crew
regularly supports regional and national incidents and other resource
management projects.

The primary line of work of this position is fire and aviation
management. This is an arduous/rigorous position and subject to medical
screening and work capacity testing.

## 

## MAJOR DUTIES

# **FIRE SUPPRESSION 50%** 

Serves as a Type 4 or 5 Incident Commander, Helicopter Manager or other
fire suppression positions per qualifications.

Directs three or more firefighters in initial attack and extended
attack, wildland fire suppression; often the first and/or only resource
assigned. Provides aerial and ground fire assessment, development of
control strategy and tactics, deployment and assignment of personnel and
equipment, directing helicopter water drops and support missions,
communicating with fire dispatch offices and other resources and
ordering of additional suppression resources. Works in conjunction with
other crews, heavy equipment, fire engines and other aircraft.

Give instructions for, and participates in, direct suppression of fire,
direct and indirect fire line construction, hot spotting,
backfiring/burnout, aerial ignition, water delivery systems and
application, tree and brush felling and removal, blackline and mop-up
operations, gridding and patrol. Completes fire line briefings, fire
size-up, fire reports and fire personnel performance evaluations.

Instructs and guides squad in wildland firefighting and fire program
support operations. Makes work assignments; schedules personnel;
provides instructions or training; monitors work in progress; ensures
equipment and materials are available; helps resolve problems
encountered; assists employees with their time; approves leave for a few
hours or for emergencies; reports to the helitack supervisor the results
of work performed, employee performance, progress, and on behavior
problems; and provides information to supervisor as requested concerning
recognition of outstanding performance and personnel needs.

Trains squad members in specific tasks and techniques and conducts
on-the-job training. Instructs by demonstrating skills in the use of
hand and power tools, hoses, chemicals, hydraulic systems and aircraft
operations. Observes, corrects, and evaluates squad skills. Explains
fire behavior characteristics, safety regulations, and work procedures.
Ensures that all squad members are qualified for their assigned
activities.

# **Helicopter Operations 35%**

Incumbent is responsible for planning and scheduling helicopter
operations to meet fire management or other resource objectives.

Using technical expertise executes helicopter operations: to meet fire
management and resource objectives, helitack, reconnaissance, survey,
search and rescue, bucket/tank, external load, aerial ignition, seeding,
rappel, etc. Ensures that procedures and equipment used are within
Agency, Department, FAA, DOT, NTSB regulations and approved agency and
interagency operations guidebooks.

Gives oral briefings to pilots, crew members, passengers, incident
personnel, management, interagency cooperators and other personnel
outlining general mission parameters/conditions and safety
considerations. Directs and participates in the loading/unloading of
helicopters with firefighting personnel and equipment. Ensures that load
manifests and load calculations are accurate to meet helicopter weight
limitations and safety

guidelines. Prepares external helicopter loads, water buckets, and
rigging; performs ground hover hook-ups to the helicopter.

Will be required to perform formal and on-the-job safety training.

Directs construction of helicopter landing areas from natural openings
and vegetation to required safety specifications. When serving as
Helispot Manager, provides wind indicators, fire extinguishers, landing
area markers, fueling areas, helicopter marshalling, personnel and cargo
organization, pilot and passenger briefings. Communicates with pilots
through radio and/or hand signals.

Serves as aerial observer and navigator in the helicopter providing fire
detection, fire locating, fire size-up, directing ground forces to the
fire, ordering additional resources and communicating with fire dispatch
on mission status.

Uses aircraft radios and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to accomplish
flight following, coordination of resources, navigation and mapping,
locating fires or other points on the ground.

Presents formal training courses to Agency employees, interagency
employees and cooperators in helicopter safety, proper loading/unloading
of personnel and cargo, external load/longline operations, bucket/tank
operations, etc.

Implements a safety training program in compliance with applicable
requirements. Ensures work conditions conform to agency safety programs.
Identifies, corrects and elevates to helitack supervisor, job safety and
health hazards, instructs employees on safety requirements of
assignments, reviews and reports work loss incidents in accordance with
Agency and OWCP regulations. Identifies corrective measures for
violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act standards in the
workplace.

Assists in identification of aerial and ground hazards; briefs crew
members, pilots and drivers. Conducts risk analysis and implements risk
mitigation measures. Completes SAFECOM reports for hazards, unsafe acts,
maintenance deficiencies, airspace conflicts, and events or
circumstances which affects or could affect the safety of aircraft
operations. Stops all operations until hazardous situations are
mitigated and risks have been assessed.

Provides oversight for inventory, service and maintenance of
firefighting tools and equipment, support vehicles and helicopter
support equipment and accessories, aerial ignition equipment, helicopter
rappel equipment, personal protective equipment, etc.

May be certified to function as Helicopter Manager, Helicopter
Rappeller, Rappel Spotter, Helitorch Manager, Mixmaster, Helitorch
Module Member, Plastic Sphere Dispenser Operator, DECK, ABRO, TOLC, HLCO
and other specialty positions per qualifications.

Assists supervisor on the implementation of Employee Performance
Appraisal Plans (EPAP). Finds ways to improve production or increase the
quality of work directed. Helps to create an environment which respects,
appreciates and accepts the contributions and perspectives of all
employees. Supports and implements EEO and Civil Rights policies,
requirements and objectives.

**[Contract Administration 15%]{.underline}**

Will serve as Contract Officer's Representative or Project Inspector
when assigned as a Helicopter Manager on an Exclusive Use,
Call-When-Needed or Aircraft Rental Agreement helicopter. Serves as a
designated Project Inspector (PI) performing day to day administrative
duties as delegated by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
Serves as liaison between the contractor, the local Fire Staff and the
COR in ensuring that all contract requirements are being met and helps
with conflict resolution at the lowest level. Evaluates contractor
performance and provides input for contract specifications and
modifications.

Monitors, verifies and documents aircraft use, completes daily flight
invoices and prepares cost summaries on a daily or project basis.
(Helicopter contracts annually expend in excess of \$200,000 in
programmed funds)

Completes Contract Daily Diary to document contract equipment and
personnel assigned, daily activities and any contractual non-compliance
or problems. Monitors and records aircraft use, pilot flight and duty
time, aircraft flight time, fuel truck activity and turbine engine power
checks. Reviews aircraft logbook entries to ensure that appropriate
aircraft maintenance is performed and documented.

Ensures that all Agency, Department, FAA, NTSB, DOT, OSHA safety
regulations and policy are strictly enforced for helicopter, suppression
and project activities. Ensures that subordinates and contractors
utilize required standard safety procedures and equipment in all
operations.

**[Other Significant Facts]{.underline}:**

This is a testing designated position (TDP) under the Department of the
Interior Drug-Free Workplace Program for DOI employees.

Incumbent is subject to medical examination and must pass the work
capacity test for arduous positions.

Prior experience in wildland firefighting and helicopter operations is a
qualification requirement of this position.

Certification as a Type 4 Incident Commander is required.

**FACTORS**

**Factor 1: [Knowledge Required by the Position]{.underline}**

Knowledge and experience in strategies, tactics, and suppression methods
used in containment and control of wildland fires in order to relay
assignments to squad members, accurately analyze rapidly changing fire
circumstances, determine when/if additional forces may be needed or
determine when circumstances warrant withdrawal of the squad to safe
location.

Knowledge of fire behavior including causes of fire, influence of
temperature, humidity, wind, topography, slope and fuel moisture
conditions, and fuels in order to know where to attack the fire, build
fire line and where to be positioned to manage a wildland fire.

Detailed knowledge of the methods and procedures associated with
wildland fire suppression and management to analyze and resolve a full
range of irregular or problem situations when suppressing wildland
fires.

Skill in the use of hand tools such as Pulaskis, shovels and McLeods;
and power tools including chainsaws and portable pumps to build fireline
and control wildland fire and to perform other non-fire related duties
engaged in firefighting or preparation for such assignments.

Knowledge of fire terminology to communicate with other squad members,

Knowledge of fire behavior at the S-290/390 (Intermediate Fire
Behavior/Fire Behavior Calculations) level. Knowledge of fire behavior
prediction methods. Knowledge of wildland fire management planning,
strategies and tactics.

Ability to lead a fire suppression squad and to provide on-the-job
training in proper and safe techniques, applications, methods,
procedures and principles. This ability is used to effectively deal with
the wide variety of conditions and situations encountered during
wildfire suppression.

Knowledge of Agency, Department, FAA, DOT, and other agency aviation
policy, operational guidelines and safe practices as they relate to fire
suppression, fire use and resource helicopter activities.

Technical knowledge of various helicopter model capabilities,
limitations, flight characteristics, aerodynamics and mountain flying
techniques to safely and efficiently execute helicopter operations for
remote fire missions and non-fire projects.

Technical knowledge of helicopter accessory equipment capabilities and
use to safely and efficiently conduct fire suppression, fire use and
resource helicopter missions. Equipment includes: cargo nets, swivels,
short and long lines, remote hook; water bucket, tanks, dip tanks,
Helitorch, Premo MK III plastic sphere dispenser, rappel equipment,
aircraft extrication tools, fire extinguishers, FM radios, GPS
receivers, etc.

Technical knowledge of federal helicopter contract provisions,
specifications and administrative requirements to monitor compliance,
resolve conflicts, complete flight invoices and related documentation.
Knowledge of contract administration chain-of-command. Ability to serve
as aviation contract Project Inspector (PI) in the field.

Knowledge of appropriate act requirements to include the Equal
Opportunity Act, Civil Rights Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act,
Rehabilitation Act, 29 CFR 1604.11(a) Sexual Harassment sufficient to
function within a diverse workforce.

Ability to perform duties under stressful and adverse operating
conditions, such as long work hours, heavy workloads, emergency
situations, adverse working and environmental conditions.

Knowledge of agency and interagency qualifications, position task book
requirements, and certification standards and procedures adopted by the
National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).

Knowledge and skill of standard first aid procedures sufficient to
perform preliminary first aid and triage as necessary.

Knowledge of the structure and function of the Department of the
Interior and the Department of Agriculture, United States Forest
Service, sufficient to determine how they interact on an interagency
basis.

Oral and written communication skills sufficient to effectively interact
with people at all levels, internal and external to the organization,
including the public.

Ability to perform basic computer technology skills such as word
processing, electronic mail, Internet use, and specialized fire
information databases and programs.

**[Factor 2 -- Supervisory Controls]{.underline}**

The supervisor initially provides direction on the priorities,
objectives, and/or deadline for types of work covered by precedent. New
or unusual assignments may be accompanied with a general background
discussion, including advice on the location of reference material to
use.

The technician identifies the work to be done to fulfill project
requirements and objectives, plans and carries out the procedural and
technical steps required, seeks assistance as needed, and independently
coordinates work efforts with outside parties.

The incumbent exercises initiative in developing his/her own solution to
common technical and procedural problems such as changes in priorities,
need for extended field time, minor need for additional equipment or
personnel, and other such comparable issues. The technician seeks
administrative direction or decision from higher authority on the course
to follow when encountering significant technical or procedural problems
with

the work, e.g., when project objectives appear to substantially exceed
available equipment and staffing capacities or when technical issues new
to the organization are encountered. In such instances the technician
may be expected to develop proposals for resolving the problem.

Work is supervised by the Assistant Fire Helicopter Crew Supervisor. The
supervisor assigns work in terms of specific objectives to be met in
on-going or new projects or changing priorities. The supervisor reviews
performance to ensure that program goals are met, overall helicopter
operations are effective and established policy and safety guidelines
are not compromised.

**[Factor 3 -- Guidelines]{.underline}**

Written guidelines utilized are, but not limited to: Agency and
Departmental Aviation Policy, Federal Aviation

Regulations, Health and Safety Code, Interagency Incident Business
Management Handbook, Interagency Helicopter Operations Guide,
Interagency Aerial Ignition Guide, Interagency Helicopter Rappel Guide,
DOT regulations, Transportation of Hazardous Materials Guide, Incident
Response Pocket Guide, Fireline Handbook, aircraft flight manuals and
logbooks, helicopter contracts, and other agency and interagency
guidebooks specific to fire.

Since every possible situation cannot be anticipated and covered in
training, the incumbent is expected to use sound judgment, creativity,
innovation and ingenuity in applying guidelines, and is permitted broad
latitude for independent and innovative action due to the wide range of
variables under which the work is accomplished. Each incident is
different, and the requirements for safe, timely, cost effective and
legal operations given the number and variety of situations encountered
in carrying out assignments, requires the incumbent to adapt or extend
guidelines or choose from among alternative procedures.

Guides such as safety regulations must always be applied. The incumbent
must rapidly select, interpret and apply guidelines to field situations
which are often emergency in nature and continually changing.

Aviation and fire policy are also constantly changing, in a state of
revision or in conflict with other agency regulation. Incumbent must
always stay abreast of current policy.

**[Factor 4 -- Complexity]{.underline}**

The helicopter operation duties of the position cover different and
unrelated processes such as training, helicopter scheduling, weather
knowledge, helicopter emergency procedures, billing and procurement,
fire suppression, capabilities and limitations of many helicopter makes
and models, and coordination activities. The incumbent must weigh
economics, safety, and efficiency in arranging work and training
schedules for the helicopter in a constantly changing atmosphere of
conditions, priorities and helicopter limitations.

The work involves performing a variety of different and unrelated
process of fire management. The technician must consider personnel
capabilities, priorities, terrain, heavy fuel loads, multiple fires,
extreme burning conditions, guidelines, and established procedures to
determine the appropriate action. Must make frequent critical decisions
under time pressures and emergency conditions, using initiative and
experience, concerning fire suppression methods and squad and helicopter
safety when choices are limited, and conditions are hazardous. These
decisions are often made without consulting a supervisor.

Technical and procedural problems encountered with precedents are
independently resolved. Judgment is

used in applying a wide range of conventional approaches, methods and
techniques.

The technical expertise incumbent provides in support of fire
suppression and resource projects are highly specialized and unique;
prior training and experience is required.

**[Factor 5 -- Scope and Effect]{.underline}**

The work performed by the incumbent and assigned squad members
contributes to the effectiveness of the firefighting organization,
efficiency of helicopter projects, protection of resource values-and
overall attainment of agency goals.

This position provides rapid initial attack of wildfires and support of
large fires; efficiency prevents many fires from becoming large,
expensive campaigns. Effective helicopter management contributes
directly to meeting various

Agency project objectives and ensuring the safety of employees and the
public. Helicopter contracts typically expend in excess of \$200,000
annually.

Although primarily a local fire suppression resource, the contracted
helicopter, crew and this position regularly supports Regional and
National incidents, other land management agencies and resource
management projects. The duties of this position affect local, Regional
and National fire suppression activities.

**[Factor 6 & 7 Personal and Purpose of Contracts]{.underline}**

Primary contacts are with the squad/crew, pilots, drivers, mechanics,
Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), Agency Aviation Management
personnel, dispatchers and others in the fire organization. Frequently
has contact with comparable Federal, State, and local government agency
personnel. Other contacts include visitors, private landowners, local
residents, resource specialists, project leaders and incident
supervisors. When assigned to large helibase operations, works with a
wide spectrum of pilots, drivers and mechanics.

Contacts are made to gather, clarify and exchange information about fire
suppression, projects, aviation operations, contract administration,
priority conflicts and misunderstandings, operational differences and
answer technical questions. Contacts other crews to coordinate fire
suppression activities. Contacts involve coordination of pilots and
drivers work schedules, maintenance schedules, equipment deficiencies
and repairs, and questions regarding helicopter contracts.

Contacts are information networking opportunities to better implement
the Incident Command System (ICS) and improve the efficiency of
helicopter operations. Contacts require frequent independent
coordination with various unit personnel to accomplish incident and
project objectives.

Reports to supervisor on performance, progress and training needs of
squad members.

Contacts with the general public during incident operations may be with
landowners to resolve operational tactics, encourage and/or require
evacuations or to ensure the safety of a curious public.

**[Factor 8 -- Physical Demands]{.underline}**

Arduous: Duties involve rigorous fieldwork requiring above average
physical performance, endurance and superior conditioning. Work requires
prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and reoccurring bending,
reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and
shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar strenuous
activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity. Incumbent
is subject to medical examination and must pass the work capacity test
for arduous/rigorous positions.

Duties include demands for strenuous activities in emergencies under
adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time.
Operations of some specialized fire equipment can place extended
physical stress on incumbent during fire activities.

**[Factor 9 -- Work Environment]{.underline}**

The work is primarily performed outdoors at remote locations, airstrips,
helibases, unimproved helispots, and fireline locations in forest and
desert environments in steep terrain, sometimes at high elevation, where
surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, or covered by vegetation.
Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and fall below freezing.
Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites
and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise and falling and
rolling material. Personnel must adjust and cope with exposure to
weather elements, dust and smoke, poor bivouac and eating situations
under an unpredictable set of circumstance. Incumbent is subject to
frequent exposure to low--level flight, low flying and hovering
aircraft. Incumbent may be required to live in backcountry camps for
extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the job requires that
protective clothing be worn (hard hat, gloves, boots, flame resistant
clothing and other personal protective equipment). Work requires travel
by light fixed-wing or rotor-wing aircraft.