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 [Company]. 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 [Company] 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.
Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent.
Airplane Operations
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.
Pre-Flight Assessment, Preparation & Planning
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.
Mission Preparation and Regulatory/Departmental Compliance
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.
APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE:
Online [Company] application
Resume
Cover Letter
HELPFUL HINT: You must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application.
Benefits:
Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays
Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage
Retirement Plans
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the [Company] 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!
*If you are interested in a complete job description please contact HR at [email protected].
Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
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).
The position requires the following certifications:
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
The position must have logged the following hours:
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
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:
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 beahavior and their impact on aviation; and contract administration.