[Company] is currently accepting applications for a Call-When-Needed (CWN) Air Attack Pilot position supporting a U.S. Forest Service contract operating Cessna Citation CE-550 and CE-551 aircraft.
This role is intended for experienced, safety-focused pilots who are comfortable operating independently in complex, mountainous environments while supporting time-sensitive wildfire operations under federal contract standards.
Pilots must demonstrate sound judgment, professionalism, and the ability to operate effectively in demanding operational environments.
The aircraft are based at Reno–Tahoe International Airport (KRNO). Applicants must be able to travel to KRNO on short notice during the fire season for assignment and deployment. Operations are conducted single-pilot in a time-sensitive wildfire support environment.
Position Details
Aircraft: Cessna Citation CE-550 / CE-551
Mission: U.S. Forest Service Air Attack operations
Schedule: Call-When-Needed (CWN) during the fire season
Season: April – September 2026
Deployment: Short-notice travel and deployment required
Compensation
$1,500 per day when on an active USFS assignment
$750 per day when on mandatory rest, or conducting support flying outside of an active USFS assignment
$750 travel stipend per trip between the pilot’s home base and KRNO when reporting for duty
Per diem is provided during U.S. Forest Service assignments in accordance with contract provisions.
The ideal candidate lives locally to the Reno area or within a six-hour commute of KRNO. CWN pilots commute to Reno at their own expense, except for the travel stipend described above.
Applicants must meet or exceed the following minimum experience levels:
Total Fixed-Wing Time: 1,500 hours
Total Pilot-in-Command Time: 1,200 hours
PIC Multiengine Airplane: 200 hours
Cross-Country PIC: 500 hours
Mountainous Terrain PIC: 200 hours
Night PIC: 200 hours
Total Instrument PIC: 75 hours
Actual Instrument PIC: 50 hours
Turbojet Time: 100 hours
Make/Model Time (CE-550 / CE-551): 50 hours
Make/Model Time (Last 12 Months): 10 hours
Preferred Qualifications
ATP certificate
CE-500 type rating
CE-500 Single-Pilot Exemption (SPE) or previous experience operating under SPE
Prior U.S. Forest Service or government contract aviation experience
Experience operating in mountainous terrain
Additionally, applicants should be able to:
Operate single-pilot turbojet aircraft in time-sensitive environments
Exercise strong aeronautical decision-making and risk management
Travel and deploy on short notice during the fire season
Meet U.S. Forest Service contract pilot requirements