Contract Pilot Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Summary
NEW CLOSED DATE: 9/8/2026.
This position is located in Ely, MN within Region 9 Fire and Aviation Management.
For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Jeremy Harmon at jeremy.harmon@usda.gov.
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Duties
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• Duties listed are at the full performance level GS-12.
• Perform as pilot in command of light single engine aircraft configured for land or sea equipment performing wildfire suppression, low level water drops on fires, providing airborne fire intelligence and ground crew direction.
• Operate light single engine aircraft configured with land/sea/or ski equipment under visual and instrument weather conditions, perform secondary duties such as wildfire detection, transportation of fire crews to and from fires, and wildlife surveys.
• Serves as pilot-in-command in a single engine land/water/skis, in unfavorable terrain such as austere and back country forests, during daytime, involving water and frozen lake landings.
• Performs preflight checks of aircraft and related equipment, plans extended flights by evaluating weather conditions at the point of departure, at points along the route, and at the destination.
• Provides technical advice regarding airplane contracts and contract pilots; serves as a technical leader, participates in aviation contract development.
• Serves as a technical advisor to the Regional Aviation Officer, Regional Aviation Safety Officer and DHC-2 Supervisory Pilot.
• Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical capabilities and other duties as assigned.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• 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.
• Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
• Under age 40; less than age 40 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 40 and is requesting a waiver to the requirement.
• 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 interest. In 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.

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 Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
To receive consideration for these positions, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the time of applicant submission date.Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements.
Basic Requirement: Certificates and Ratings:
Must possess an FAA Airplane Commercial Pilot Certificate with Single-Engine Land and Sea Ratings, an Instrument Rating or an FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, with Single-Engine Land and Sea Ratings.
Medical Certificate: Must possess a current FAA first or second-class medical certificate.
Must possess proof of a tail wheel logbook endorsement post April 15, 1991. Pre-April 15, 1991, proof of PIC Tail Wheel time will be required via logbook entry, as appropriate to the position held.
Must possess all necessary certificates and ratings and flight hours in the appropriate Category and Class (Single-Engine Land and Sea Ratings) as required.
Minimum Flight/Flying Experience:
GS-11: Must meet all the following flight requirements and all minimum hours must be in Category (Airplane): possess minimum flight time of 1500 hours with 500 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC); possess minimum PIC time of 200 hours in Category and Class to be flown (Airplane-Single Engine Land and Sea); possess minimum PIC flight time of 50 hours performing Instrument Flight Rules(IFR) flight; Possess minimum PIC flight time of 75 hours performing Night Flight; and possess minimum PIC flight time of 100 hours in the preceding 12 months.
GS-12: Must meet all the following flight requirements and all minimum hours must be in Category (Airplane): possess minimum flight time of 1500 hours with 1200 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC); possess minimum of 200 hours in Category and Class to be flown (Airplane-Single Engine Land and Sea); possess minimum PIC time of 500 hours performing Cross Country flight; possess minimum PIC time of 200 hours performing low-level operations in mountainous terrain (flight at 2500 AGL and below terrain identified as mountainous in 14 CFR 95.11, and as depicted in the Aeronautical information Manual figure 5-6-3); possess minimum PIC flight time of 75 hours of actual or simulated Instrument time with 50 hours in flight; possess minimum PIC time of 100 hours performing Night Flight; possess minimum PIC time in Category of 100 hours (preceding 12 months) and 10 hours (preceding 60 days).
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.
Selective Placement Factors:
Under age 40 -OR- less than age 40 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- a veteran preference eligible, older than age 40 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement.
FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a primary/rigorous position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System.
Age Requirements: For those who do not currently occupy a permanent Federal position covered under primary fire fighter retirement, you must be under age 40; less than age 40 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position; or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 40 and requesting a waiver to the requirement.
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
There is no education substitution for this position.
Additional information
This position is located in Ely, MN within Region 9 Fire and Aviation Management. The purpose of this position is to provide the agency as a fully qualified single engine land or seaplane pilot supporting aerial supervision missions, aviation fire suppression, natural resource aviation support, fuels reduction, search and rescue and law enforcement support.
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.
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, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email SM.FS.asc_tos@usda.gov
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.
This is a bargaining unit position and is represented by either NFFE.
Forest Service daycare facilities may be available.
Government Housing may be available.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency.
Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)
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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
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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.