**Purpose**

Re-classify the Helitack Squad Boss Position Description to more
accurately reflect the duties and technical expertise required and
compensate appropriately at a GS-7.

**Background**

Currently within the BLM Exclusive-Use Helitack organization (including
Interagency organizations), eight position descriptions (PD's) are being
utilized for the Lead position. The Bureau of Land Management has five
active PD's: F264 "Fire Crew Leader," F167 "Helicopter Crew Squad
Leader," F165 "Helitack Crew Supervisor," F164 "Helitack Foreman," and
DOI006 "Lead Wildland Firefighter."

In addition to the BLM PD's, our blended Exclusive Use Helitack Crews
(crews that have interagency funding and FTE's) utilize three additional
position descriptions; Forest Service N8022L "Helicopter Module Squad
Leader," and 007157 "Fire Crew Squad Leader" and the National Park
Service 410 "Squad Leader."

All position descriptions are unique to their appropriate agency as well
as their home units. However, all eight PD's used amongst our Exclusive
Use Helitack Crews are being utilized for the same Helitack Lead
position.

Many Fire Managers have seen a need to strengthen the helitack crews by
requiring the Squad Boss be qualified above the minimal requirements as
outline in the Red Book, and by doing so, compensating those employees
by placing them under the "Helitack Foreman" and "Helitack Crew
Supervisor" GS-7 position descriptions. The BLM National Aviation Office
wants to utilize one standard PD that accurately reflects the true
duties and expectations of the position and abolish the "old PD's".

**Competition**

The BLM currently has GS-7 PD's in place for Fire Engine Module Leaders
and IHC Squad Leaders. As a result, Aviation is losing highly qualified
individuals to other positions, where they are more equitably
compensated for their duties. On the other side of the spectrum, by
creating a GS-7 position Aviation will attract qualified individuals
from Engine and Shot Crew programs.

The Helitack Lead Crew has responsibilities and duties similar to IHC
Squad Leaders and Engine Module Leaders. All three positions direct
three or more firefighters during wildland fire suppression and daily
work assignments, provide on-the-job training, are expected to work
under minimal supervisory control and rapidly make decisions without
consulting a supervisor. In addition, Helitack Leads must present a
solid understanding of contractual language and have the ability to
effectively communicate with aircraft vendors and Contracting Officers.

**Critical Shortage of Helicopter Managers**

Currently, there is a critical shortage of Helicopter Managers. With the
approval of the "Fire Helicopter Crew Squad Boss" position (which will
increase qualification requirements at the GS-7 level), land management
agencies will be able to develop employees and create a larger, more
qualified pool of Helicopter Managers to meet the elevated demand for
the position.

**Interagency Dilemma**

With the increase in the number of blended Exclusive Use Helitack Crews
it seems appropriate to submit a package of Interagency Standard
Helitack Position Descriptions to include the Squad Boss, Assistant
Helicopter Crew Supervisor and Helicopter Crew Supervisor Position
Descriptions. This will add consistency and standardization to all
Federal Exclusive Use Helitack Crews.

**Standardization**

Re-classify the Fire Helicopter Squad Leader as Fire Helicopter Squad
Boss, changing from a full performance GS-6 to a GS-7. In the years
following the standardization of the new PD, all crews will make an
assertive effort towards moving their Lead Crews off of all other
position descriptions allowing outdated PD's to be retired.

**Agency Expectations**

Many Helicopter Squad Leaders are qualified as Type 4 Incident
Commanders and Helicopter Managers at the GS-6 level. As the agencies
expect more from our employees (qualifications), likewise our employees
expect more from the agency (compensation for duties performed).

Having higher expectations for our Helicopter Squad Leaders will result
in a more diverse crew with increased capabilities (increased knowledge
of fire behavior, fuel models, suppression techniques, and the ability
for a Helitack Module to staff multiple aircraft).

**Retention**

Retention within our Helitack Modules will increase. The employees will
have a clear path to move up the ladder within the Exclusive Use
Helicopter programs.

This move will also increase retention at the field office level, within
a suppression organization, by allowing a Helicopter Squad Boss to gain
experience and lateral into related positions within the fire management
organization.

**Options**

1.  Make no changes. Continue to allow individual units to choose any of
    the eight position description (as they pertain to the appropriate
    agency) currently listed in the system (regardless of relevancy).

2.  Develop a Bureau of Land Management Position Description to be use
    only by the Bureau.

3.  Create a standardized Department of the Interior PD and apply only
    towards DOI employees.

4.  Develop a standardized National Interagency Position Description at
    the GS-7 level, and move towards retiring the existing PD's. Not
    only will this standardize the Exclusive Use Helitack Modules, it
    will also create parity among all fire suppression crews (i.e. IHC
    Leads, Fire Engine Modules, etc.)

The Helitack Squad Boss PD has been written at the full performance GS-7
Level. If accepted and classified, the position description will be
amended to a GS-5/6. This will allow for entry at a GS-5 level and
create career advancement for our helitack crew members.