[redacted]’s Western Timberlands Division has an opening for a full-time Chief Pilot based in McMinnville, Oregon. The Chief Pilot leads safe, compliant, and efficient flight operations across forestry, fire suppression, aerial application, and heavy-lift construction missions throughout the Pacific Northwest. Reporting to the Aviation Operations Manager, this position is accountable for pilot leadership, operational standardization, regulatory compliance, and sustained mission readiness across crews, aircraft, and operating environments. The Chief Pilot provides calm, decisive leadership in high-risk and time-critical conditions while building a culture of safety, professionalism, accountability, and sound decision-making.

This role works closely with Aviation Maintenance, Timberlands, Forestry, Safety, government agencies, and field teams to ensure [redacted]’s aviation resources are prepared to support company objectives safely, efficiently, and with disciplined execution.

Key Functions:

• Safety Leadership

  • Lead the rotor-wing pilot team in fostering a strong safety culture through the [redacted] Safety System, beginning with a visible personal commitment to safety.

  • Establish clear operational standards and validate adherence to standard operating procedures through validation.

  • Ensure pilots exercise sound judgment, make disciplined go or no-go decisions, and stop operations whenever safety is in doubt.

  • Promote consistent use of the company’s hazard recognition, risk assessment, and operational review processes.

  • Lead flight-related incident investigations, identify corrective actions, and verify effective follow-through.

  • Implement, maintain, and continuously improve adherence to the aviation safety management system.

• Regulatory Compliance and Agency Coordination 

  • Ensure flight operations comply with FAA Parts 91, 133, and 137, applicable operating limitations, company requirements, and contractual obligations. 

  • Maintain pilot qualifications, training records, operating documentation, and required approvals in an audit-ready condition. 

  • Maintain effective agency relationships that support regulatory compliance, coordination, and operational credibility. Flight Operations 

  • Provide leadership and oversight for Part 91 company flying, Blackhawk and Bell 212 fire suppression, Part 137 aerial application, and Part 133 external-load operations. 

    Balance mission execution, customer and field objectives, aircraft capabilities, crew experience, and changing operating conditions.

     

  • Confirm flight crews are appropriately qualified, current, briefed, and prepared for assigned missions. 

  • Participate in flight operations as needed to support mission requirements, training, evaluations, and operational continuity. Training, Standardization, and Pilot Development 

  • Build and maintain a long-term pilot training, development, and succession plan. 

  • Design and execute pilot training programs across aircraft platforms and mission profiles. 

  • Ensure consistent procedures, operating discipline, and performance standards across operating bases. 

  • Maintain recurrent training, emergency procedures, seasonal readiness plans, and pilot evaluation programs. 

  • Conduct or coordinate pilot evaluations, standardization checks, and performance management activities. 

  • Mentor pilots and develop future aviation leaders through clear expectations, feedback, and targeted development opportunities. 

• Fire Season Readiness 

  • Ensure pilot staffing resources are qualified, current, equipped, and mission-ready for fire season. 

  • Align pilot staffing and aircraft availability with seasonal demand, operational risk, deployment requirements, and response commitments. 

  • Maintain readiness to support ODF, Washington DNR, USFS, DOI, and other government or contract fire assignments. 

  • Coordinate seasonal exercises, mission-specific training, documentation reviews, and readiness checks before deployment. 

  • Cross-Functional Coordination 

  • Partner with Timberlands, Forestry, Safety, and field teams to ensure aviation operations support business objectives safely and efficiently. 

  • Provide operational insight to aviation and business leadership for planning, risk mitigation, staffing, and resource decisions. 

  • Partner with Aviation Maintenance to support aircraft airworthiness, mission readiness, scheduled maintenance planning, aircraft configuration, and return-to-service decisions. 

  • Support effective communication and coordination among pilots, mechanics, dispatch, field personnel, customers, and agency representatives. 

• People Leadership 

  • Lead, mentor, and hold accountable a geographically dispersed team of rotor-wing pilots. 

  • Establish clear expectations for professionalism, performance, communication, operational discipline, and decision-making. 

  • Communicate clearly and respectfully across pilots, field teams, agency partners, and leadership. 

  • Model accountability, sound judgment, and calm leadership in high-risk and time-critical environments. 

  • Address performance concerns promptly and partner with management and Human Resources when formal performance management is required. 
     

Qualifications

Qualifications 

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in aviation, safety, business, or a related field is preferred. 

• FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter and Instrument-Helicopter ratings 

• S-70 PIC type rating 

• Current FAA medical certificate. 

• Significant rotor-wing pilot-in-command experience in utility, firefighting, external-load, aerial application, or comparable high-risk operations. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of FAA Parts 91, 133, and 137 and the ability to manage pilot qualifications, training, records, and operating compliance. 

• Knowledge of operating aircraft in Restricted category. 

• Previous experience leading pilots, administering flight standards, conducting evaluations, or managing training and standardization programs. 

• Demonstrated ability to make conservative, timely operational decisions in dynamic and safety-critical environments. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with employees, leadership, customers, regulators, and government agencies. 

• Ability to travel, deploy to field locations, and work variable schedules during peak operating periods and emergency response assignments.

Desired Qualifications 

• Airline Transport Pilot certificate is preferred

• Experience operating or supervising UH-60/S-70 Blackhawk, Bell 212, or Bell 206 aircraft. 

   

• Wildland fire aviation experience supporting federal, state, or provincial agencies. 

• Part 133 external-load and Part 137 agricultural aircraft operations experience. 

• Experience with safety management systems, operational risk management, incident investigation, and corrective-action processes. 

• Experience leading multi-aircraft, multi-mission, or geographically dispersed aviation operations. 

• Check airman, instructor pilot, military standardization pilot, or comparable evaluator experience.

About Timberlands
We believe trees are a remarkable resource that can and should be managed responsibly to make a range of products that meet human needs, while also providing recreation, wildlife habitat, and other important ecosystem benefits.
For more than a century, we've been taking care of forests to make life better.

About [redacted]
We sustainably manage forests and manufacture products that make the world a better place. We’re serious about safety, driven to achieve excellence, and proud of what we do. With multiple business lines in locations across North America, we offer a range of exciting career opportunities for smart, talented people who are passionate about making a difference.
We know you have a choice in your career. We want you to choose us.