Supervisory Helicopter Pilot

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Supervisory Helicopter Pilot

Department of Energy

Western Area Power Administration

OCOO, Technical Services, Aviation (A7810)

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• Summary
• This job is open to
• Duties
• Requirements
• How you will be evaluated
• Required documents
• How to apply

Summary

As a Supervisory Helicopter Pilot, you will be responsible for all facets of Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) aviation program. You will develop and maintain operating policies and practices while monitoring and enforcing standards for safe, effective, and efficient manned and unmanned flight operations. You will oversee contracted helicopter maintenance services.

Learn more about this agency

Summary

As a Supervisory Helicopter Pilot, you will be responsible for all facets of Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) aviation program. You will develop and maintain operating policies and practices while monitoring and enforcing standards for safe, effective, and efficient manned and unmanned flight operations. You will oversee contracted helicopter maintenance services.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

Help

Accepting applications

Location

1 vacancy in the following locations:

Folsom, CA

Lakewood, CO

Fort Peck, MT

Bismarck, ND

Huron, SD

Watertown, SD

Salt Lake City, UT

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible Yes-This is an onsite position. Telework eligible ONLY for situational telework at the discretion of management. Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $125,776 - $182,316 per year Pay scale & grade

GS 14

Promotion potential 14

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule Full-time Travel Required Occasional travel - Occasional travel of up to 10% annually is required; with overnight travel possible during all or part of that time.

Appointment type Permanent

Occupations and job series

• 2181 Aircraft Operation

Supervisory status Yes Federal service type This job is in the Competitive Service Represented by a union No

Drug test No Security clearance Not Required Position sensitivity and risk Moderate Risk (MR)

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required No

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number 26-WA-01263-13070572-IMP Control number 885948500

This job is open to

Help

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Clarification from the agency

This position is only open to current Western Area Power Administration employees on a career or career-conditional competitive service appointment.

Duties

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As a Supervisory Helicopter Pilot, you will

• Serves as the senior technical aviation expert, manages and evaluates WAPAs flight operations, and ensures strict compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) and internal aviation policy manuals.
• Acts as the helicopter Chief Instructor Pilot, which involves directing aircraft flight training, managing the formal Pilot-in-Command (PIC) flight training program, and administering initial and recurrent pilot proficiency check-rides.
• Serves as the primary Contracting Officers Representative (COR) to oversee and manage WAPAs centralized aviation maintenance contracts and ensure the fleet is maintained in accordance with FAA regulations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to complete a one-year Supervisory probation period.
• Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.
• In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
• Security clearance and associated requirements - Moderate Risk
• Total salary varies depending on location of position.

Qualifications

A qualified candidates 2-pg resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-13). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following:

• Develop and implement agency-wide aviation policies
• Provide technical assistance and guidance on matters relating to aviation safety and compliance with directives and regulations.
• Display communication skills required to interface between maintenance groups, construction organizations, dispatchers, and/or external aviation contractors.
• Comply with Department of Energy (DOE) Orders, and programmatic manuals including Flight Operations (FOM) and Helicopter External Load Manuals.
• Conduct FAR Part 135 competency and line checks.
• Oversee centralized aircraft maintenance contracts, ensuring that maintenance facilities and personnel comply with FAA regulations (FAR Parts 43, 65, and 91), manufacturer recommendations, and component inspector criteria.

Time-in-Grade: Current career or career-conditional GS employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional GS employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current career or career-conditional federal employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.

Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:

• Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
• Duties (be specific in describing your duties, we cannot make assumptions regarding your experience)
• Employers name and address
• Start and end dates including month, date and year (e.g. June 20, 2007 to April 18, 2008)
• Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if youve held a federal position.
• Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

For this position, education cannot be substituted for experience.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Additional information

• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
• Promotion Potential: This position is at the full performance level.
• For general information on government wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov.
• Applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) when applying or competing for a job due to a medical condition or to exercise religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this vacancy announcement.
• The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive. You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive.
• This position may be eligible for creditable service towards annual leave. Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. DOE may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized.
• Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to include locality payment for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.
• Lakewood, CO: $140,239 to $182,316
• Folsom, CA: $139,422 to $181,254
• Salt Lake City, UT; Watertown, SD; Huron, SD; Fort Peck, MT; and Bismarck, ND: $125,776 to $163,314

Expand Hide additional information

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.

Benefits

Help

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.

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 based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g. resume, supporting documents), and your responses on the application questionnaire for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

The competencies for the Supervisory Helicopter Pilot are:

• Technical Credibility
• Attention to Detail
• Decisiveness
• Reasoning
• Accountability
• Integrity/Honesty
• Problem Solving
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Strategic Thinking
• Compliance

All qualified and eligible applicants will be referred to the hiring office for consideration.

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP; 2) be rated in the well-qualified category for this vacancy with a score of 85 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: Career Transition (opm.gov)

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated ineligible or not qualified.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (10/07/2026) of this announcement.

Shared Certificates: The Department of Energy shares lists of applicants among its internal Departmental Elements and organizations. You may be referred for consideration to other DOE Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with multiple Hiring Mangers throughout DOE. If additional positions are filled from this announcement conditions of employment may differ. You will be notified if you are referred for additional positions.

Benefits

Help

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.

Required documents

Required Documents

Help

To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:

• Your two (2) page RESUMEshowing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
• Current Federal employees: Most recent non-award SF-50 (Standard Form 50 - Notice of Personnel Action). To properly verify status eligibility, your SF-50 must show the following. If you do not submit an appropriate SF-50, we cannot verify your status eligibility.
• Full position title;
• appointment type;
• occupational series;
• pay plan, grade, and step;
• tenure code; and
• service computation date (SCD).
• If your current position SF50 does not indicate you have competitive service status or does not reflect the pay plan and grade of the highest position you have held in the competitive service, in addition to your current SF50, you must provide your previous SF-50s that provide the proof of competitive status and highest grade held on a permanent basis. . If you do not submit an appropriate SF-50, we cannot verify your status eligibility.

If applicable:

• Veterans: DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
• Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable(e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.

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.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Help

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration.

PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available, and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible.

The application process is as follows:

• You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/.
• To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
• Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
• You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on 10/07/2026.

You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/

If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.

Agency contact information

PMA Careers

Email PMACareers@wapa.gov Address WAPA Headquarters

12155 W. Alameda Pkwy

Lakewood, CO 80228

US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated.

You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJobs Account and editing the Notification Settings.

You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Financial suitability New employee probationary period

Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service Signature and false statements

Social security number request

Required Documents

Help

To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:

• Your two (2) page RESUMEshowing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
• Current Federal employees: Most recent non-award SF-50 (Standard Form 50 - Notice of Personnel Action). To properly verify status eligibility, your SF-50 must show the following. If you do not submit an appropriate SF-50, we cannot verify your status eligibility.
• Full position title;
• appointment type;
• occupational series;
• pay plan, grade, and step;
• tenure code; and
• service computation date (SCD).
• If your current position SF50 does not indicate you have competitive service status or does not reflect the pay plan and grade of the highest position you have held in the competitive service, in addition to your current SF50, you must provide your previous SF-50s that provide the proof of competitive status and highest grade held on a permanent basis. . If you do not submit an appropriate SF-50, we cannot verify your status eligibility.

If applicable:

• Veterans: DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
• Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable(e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.

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.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Help

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration.

PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available, and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible.

The application process is as follows:

• You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/.
• To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
• Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
• You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on 10/07/2026.

You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/

If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.

Expand Hide how to apply

Agency contact information

PMA Careers

Email PMACareers@wapa.gov Address WAPA Headquarters

12155 W. Alameda Pkwy

Lakewood, CO 80228

US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated.

You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJobs Account and editing the Notification Settings.

You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.

Expand Hide next steps

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Financial suitability New employee probationary period

Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service Signature and false statements

Social security number request

Additional locations

Huron, SD

Watertown, SD

Salt Lake City, UT

Western Area Power Administration

WAPA Join the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) Team - Discover Your Next Adventure!

At WAPA, we do more than keep the lights on. As part of the Department of Energy, we are a collective of innovators and problem-solvers dedicated to reliable, cost-based federal hydroelectric power. Why WAPA? We market and transmit wholesale electric power generated from 57 federally owned hydroelectric power plants across a 15-state region with over 17,000 miles of transmission lines. As one of the nations largest transmission providers, WAPA brings wholesale power to market, at cost-based rates, to preference customers such as public utilities and cooperatives, municipalities, national security facilities, and irrigation districts. Our priority is your career growth and development, with comprehensive training and professional opportunities in a supportive environment. Enjoy competitive salaries, a robust retirement plan, health benefits, flexible schedules, and a work-life balance that values your well-being. Power Your Career with WAPA Ready to be part of our dynamic team? Apply to our current openings and take the first step towards a rewarding career that empowers both the West and your future.

Your skills. Our legacy. A shared Future. Are you in?

• Learn more about WAPA
• Learn more about WAPA careers
• Read our Strategic Plan - Power Forward 2030

Agency contact information

PMA Careers

Email PMACareers@wapa.gov Address WAPA Headquarters

12155 W. Alameda Pkwy

Lakewood, CO 80228

US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what its like to work at Western Area Power Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dc8BuCJpzbI?si=Ag5NQzaFHe7i7ahJ

Summary

As a Supervisory Helicopter Pilot, you will be responsible for all facets of Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) aviation program. You will develop and maintain operating policies and practices while monitoring and enforcing standards for safe, effective, and efficient manned and unmanned flight operations. You will oversee contracted helicopter maintenance services.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

Help

Accepting applications

Location

1 vacancy in the following locations:

Folsom, CA

Lakewood, CO

Fort Peck, MT

Bismarck, ND

Huron, SD

Watertown, SD

Salt Lake City, UT

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible Yes-This is an onsite position. Telework eligible ONLY for situational telework at the discretion of management. Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $125,776 - $182,316 per year Pay scale & grade

GS 14

Promotion potential 14

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule Full-time Travel Required Occasional travel - Occasional travel of up to 10% annually is required; with overnight travel possible during all or part of that time.

Appointment type Permanent

Occupations and job series

• 2181 Aircraft Operation

Supervisory status Yes Federal service type This job is in the Competitive Service Represented by a union No

Drug test No Security clearance Not Required Position sensitivity and risk Moderate Risk (MR)

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required No

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number 26-WA-01263-13070572-IMP Control number 885948500

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