Summary Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as an Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program Specialist. Make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting water demands while protecting the environment. Duty Location: The final determination of the duty station for this position will be made by the selecting official. Remote locations limited to the 17 western states. See list of states in the requirements section. Responsibilities This position is in the Bureau of Reclamation; Mission Assurance and Protection Organization; Preparedness Division; Denver, CO. This position leads Reclamation's UAS program implementation, training, safety advocacy, and organizational support functions. The incumbent serves as the Reclamation Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Program Specialist providing expert administration, oversight, training, and piloting for uncrewed aircraft systems. This position reports to the Chief Preparedness Officer performing the following duties: Provides (UAS) management and expertise through the leadership, coordination, development, and execution of Reclamation's Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program. Maintains expert level of current knowledge and understanding of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of the Interior (DOI), and Reclamation laws, regulations, rules, policies, directives and standards, and plans to interpret, direct, and act on (UAS) requirements. Provides technical advice and guidance to regional and unit-level aviation managers, coordinators, and users responsible for subordinate (UAS) management plans, flight plans, and implementation procedures to assure alignment and compliance with higher-level requirements. Directs management of (UAS) fleet activities including procurement, inventory control, maintenance, aircraft modifications, and safety inspections. Conducts on-site inspections, evaluates and monitors Reclamation (UAS) programs, gathers (UAS) statistical data, analyzes data, and prepares appropriate reports. Performs as a (UAS) pilot in command, pilot evaluator, pilot instructor, pilot certifier, visual observer, and related roles and functions expected in the management and conduct of (UAS) operations in support of Reclamation, DOI, and interagency missions. Develops and/or technically evaluates proposed modifications to (UAS) aircraft and associated equipment/technology to assure compliance with safety standards. Advises on platform and technology options that establish new, or enhance existing, program functions and uses at regional and lower levels. Coordinates, schedules, and conducts remote pilot training courses for Reclamation and interagency partners. Manages qualification and training records for (UAS) pilots via the Interagency Aviation Training system. Assesses, recommends, develops, and administers advanced and supplemental (UAS) and related technology courses unique to Reclamation not otherwise provided by DOI. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. You must be suitable for federal employment, determined by a background investigation. You must submit a resume and supporting documentation (see Required Documents). You must meet any minimum education and/or experience requirements (see Qualifications). You must maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times as the position requires operation of government vehicles on government and public roads. Failure to maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times will result in removal from the position. You must possess and maintain a Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 Remote Airman Certificate. You must possess and maintain a OAS-30U DOI Remote Pilot Qualification Card. Duty Location: The final determination of the duty station for this position will be made by the selecting official at the time of the job offer. Remote locations limited to the following 17 western states served by Reclamation: Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas. Who May Apply: Bureau of Reclamation Employees (Competitive) Bureau of Reclamation Employees (Non-Competitive) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Qualifications In order to be rated as qualified for this position, the HR Office must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - this information must be clearly supported in the resume. To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-11 level in federal service having demonstrated experience providing technical specialist advice and guidance concerning the application of uncrewed aviation requirements; participating in the development of uncrewed aviation management requirements as a technical specialist; managing of UAS fleet activities, including procurement, inventory control, maintenance, aircraft modifications, and safety inspections; providing oversight, development, and/or coordination of pilot, aviation user, and/or manager (UAS) safety training; serving as a DOI authorized A-450, Small UAS Basic Remote Pilot Course instructor; performing work functions as a UAS pilot in support of Reclamation mission activities; analyzing and recommending improvements to unit, field, area, regional, and/or bureau UAS training, education, fleet management, inventory management, or other UAS-specific and related activities to inform program requirements. The definition of specialized experience is not all inclusive. 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. Time-In-Grade: Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional 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). Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a current Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 Remote Airman Certificate, OAS-30U DOI Remote Pilot Qualification Card, and a valid state driver's license. Failure to provide proof of such license will cause you to be rated ineligible for this position. You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including time-in-grade restrictions and any selective placement factors if applicable, by 06/27/2024. Education This position does not allow substituting education for experience. Additional Information You may be required to serve an initial probationary period. This is a remote position. Current agency employees may be eligible to receive a referral bonus for recruitment of this position. For information visit: Referral Bonus Awards. DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including applicant rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/ This position is designated as a MODERATE RISK Public Trust position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated Public Trust Suitability Background Investigation (T2S or T2RS or equivalent) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify registration with the Selective Service System or that the applicant is exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Go to: https://www.sss.gov This is a non-bargaining unit position. Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.