Aircraft Pilot 1 - Fixed Wing Pilot

State of Montana • Helena, MT

23h

About The Position

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.
The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained.
Core Values:
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana’s forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana.
We value and respect each other.
We create collaborative work environments.
We build and maintain strong relationships.
We practice accountability.
We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work.
The Air Operations Section provides professional aviation support for all department functions and the Reclamation Division of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). DNRC pilots operate single engine fixed wing aircraft and light and medium helicopters. The DNRC maintains and operates three fixed-wing airplanes, two light helicopters, and five medium helicopters. The Section supplies the aerial water drops for initial attack on fires, troop movements, and the aerial observation platform needed to gather information and intelligence on developing wildland fires.
It is the mission of the DNRC Fire Protection Program to protect lives, property, and natural resources from wildfire by providing safe and effective services to Montana’s citizens as well as leadership, coordination and resources to the State’s wildfire organizations. The DNRC carries out a unified fire protection program spanning the state of Montana. The Department implements that program in two major ways; by directly protecting approximately 5.5 million acres of state, private and federal land, and by protecting approximately 50 million acres of state and private land via State/County Cooperative (County Coop) protection. The Fire Protection Bureau leads the DNRC Fire Protection mission, supports the efforts of the field offices who implement the DNRC Fire Protection Program, and builds their capacity.
The DNRC Fire Protection mission requires a robust approach to planning, intelligence and wildfire information technology (WFIT) enabling wildland fire protection activities across the state of Montana and actualizing a commitment to achieving a well-rounded fire protection program founded on sound and informed financial, strategic and programmatic decisions including, but not limited to, objectively evaluating the adequacy, allocation, or configuration of fire response resources in relation to both the current and future operating environment to meet performance objectives reflecting strategic direction and priorities; developing performance metrics used to periodically measure program effectiveness against benchmarks; identifying specific performance and/or service gaps; and establishing standards of service. It is through the Planning and Intelligence Program that the Department’s aspirations in these areas become reality.
Job Overview:
This position is the Fixed Wing Pilot and is responsible for performing fixed wing mission flights piloting light fixed wing turboprop and reciprocating aircraft to support agency wildfire suppression and other resource management activities in accordance with departmental policies and applicable laws after evaluating mission requirements to plan for all aspects of operations and to ensure aircraft and crews are prepared to carry out wildfire suppression and related activities safely and effectively. Duties also include coordinating mission preparation, administration, compliance and post-action documentation activities to ensure preparedness in carrying out fixed wing requirements in adherence to applicable state and federal regulations. The incumbent reports to the Air Operations Program Manager and does not supervise other Aviation Unit Staff.

Requirements

• The required knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from a FAA approved or military flight school; commercial instrument rating; and three years progressively responsible mission experience (including high-risk flying such as fire suppression).
• Current and Valid FAA Commercial certificate fixed wing land or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate in Airplanes with Instrument Airplane and Single Engine ratings.
• Must hold a current and valid FAA Class I or II Medical certificate.
• The incumbent must remain qualified in the following aircraft: Fixed Wing: Kodiak 900 and Cessna T206HD Aircraft
• Total Flying Time 1,500 hours
• Pilot in Command (PIC) 1,500 hours
• Single Engine Airplane 500 hours
• Night flying (RW or FW) 100 hours
• In Category and Class-last 12 Months 100 hours
• Extended Cross-country 200 hours
• PIC Terrain-Mountainous 200 hours
• Model & Class to flown 25 hours
• Last Sixty days 10 hours
• The position requires an advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of fixed wing flight; aircraft maintenance and inspection; and aircraft test program administration. The position requires knowledge of advanced fixed wing aircraft maintenance and repair methods and specifications; DNRC aviation program and resources; aviation procurement specifications and policies; FAA, Agriculture USFS, and state laws, policies, and operating procedures; the use of aircraft and aviation equipment in fire and forest management; specialized supply and equipment procurement processes; special knowledge of the Kodiak 900 and Cessna C-T206HD airplanes; specialized mission piloting techniques such as low altitude flying, Infrared Mission Sensor operations and techniques, instrument flying, mountain flying, and landing aircraft in adverse conditions; meteorological conditions and fire behavior and their impact on aviation; and contract administration.
• The work requires skill in the operation of specialized aircraft and aircraft components; low-altitude and speed and mountain flying; performing detailed inspections; organizing and reviewing the work of others; troubleshooting maintenance malfunctions; piloting aircraft under adverse conditions; and in specialized piloting techniques including test flight, low altitude and high-density altitude flying, etc.
• The position requires the ability to make quick and sound decisions regarding mission risk assessment and airworthiness that directly impact human safety; assess complex and rapidly changing technological issues; communicating effectively; and quickly and accurately making operational decisions.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.
• In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card".

Responsibilities

• Perform fixed wing mission flights piloting light fixed wing to support agency wildfire suppression and other resource management activities including operating support equipment, maintaining communication, performing air transport, providing reconnaissance and observation and ensuring proper pre- and post-flight procedures are followed in accordance with departmental policies and applicable state and federal laws.
• Evaluate air operations mission requirements to plan for all aspects of operations and to ensure aircraft and crews are prepared to carry out wildfire suppression and related activities safely and effectively according to applicable laws and departmental policies.
• Coordinate mission preparation, administration and compliance activities to ensure preparedness to carry out fixed wing requirements and ensure adherence to applicable state and federal regulations including maintenance and repair activities; maintaining proficiency in aircraft and related equipment; attending training and education; maintaining physiological preparedness; ensuring proper post-flight procedures are followed; and performing administrative tasks such as billing and mission/aircraft documentation.

Benefits

• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays
• Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage
• Retirement Plans
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here, https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service to learn more and see if you may qualify!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed