Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservations mission is to help ensure that Montanas 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 Conservations 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 Montanas 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 Montanas citizens as well as leadership coordination and resources to the States 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 Departments 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 State of Montana 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 State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here learn more and see if you may qualify!