National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Unmanned Aircraft System Pilot

UASP decorative banner: photos depicting UASP position.

UASP Homepage Button Position Incident Position Description Button Position Reference Materials Button Position Qualification Requirements Button

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot provides data to tactical and strategic decision makers and is responsible for flying, managing, and coordinating Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) missions on wildland fire incidents. The UASP reports to the Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD) or other assigned supervisor. The UASP works in the Air Operations functional area.

Unmanned Aircraft System, Pilot (UASP) Unmanned Aircraft System, Manager (UASM) Unmanned Aircraft System, Data Specialist (UASD) Unmanned Aircraft System, Module Leader (UASL)

The Forest Service and Department of Interior are enabled by Administratively Determined Pay Plans (AD Pay Plans) to hire persons for temporary duration for the following reasons:

  1. To cope with a sudden and unexpected emergency caused by a fire, or extreme fire potential, flood, storm, or any other all-hazard emergency that threatens damage to federally protected property, has the potential to cause loss of life, serious injury, public health risk, or damage to natural or cultural resources unless brought under immediate control.
  2. To provide emergency assistance to States under formalized agreements.
  3. To meet mission assignments issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Incident Business Committee (IBC) reviews positions annually and establishes pay rate classifications for each position.

For more information on the AD Pay Plans, go to https://www.nwcg.gov/committees/incident-business-committee

Date: 
Mar 2023

Updated:  Required Training, A-450 course title updated.


Date: 
Jun 2022

Added: Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.


Date: 
Nov 2018

Position created.

Page Last Modified / Reviewed: 
2023-09-11
Primary Committee: 
National Interagency Aviation Committee
Steward: 
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee

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