Wildland Firefighter 2 Helicopter Manager

• Paid Vacation Sick Leave and Holidays
• Health Dental Prescription and Vision Coverage
• Retirement Plans
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Physical and Environmental Demands:

Over 50% of the work this position performs is conducted outdoors in mountainous terrain with exposure to environmental hazards for long time periods. Work is seasonal in nature and requires exposure to wildfires with associated discomforts risk of serious injury and exposure to adverse weather and terrain. Wildfires typically involve smoke dust hot temperatures and high noise levels next to aircraft equipment and pumps. Hazards encountered can include erratic and unpredictable fire behavior; fatigue; working at night; falling snags; insects; rolling rocks; hazardous materials; poisonous plants; working around vehicles fire engines and heavy equipment; exposure to hovering or low flying aircraft; wild animals; operating power tools; using sharpened hand tools; driving vehicles in all conditions including off road; urban interface hazards; and prolonged exposure to smoke. Work shifts during fire assignments are typically 12 to 16 hours per shift and sometimes require relocation for up to two weeks at fire camps set up near larger fires. These camps can be remote and firefighters are usually required to stay in camp when not engaged in firefighting tasks. Incumbent is required to respond to assigned duty station outside normal working hours within varied response time frames depending on actual and potential fire situations and most tasks require varied travel times operating assigned fire engine or vehicles authorized by a Class C Montana drivers license.

Position requires an ability to do physically demanding arduous work. Many tasks are completed on steep mountainous terrain such as digging and clearing fire line using hand tools and chainsaws traversing long distances on foot lifting and carrying objects in excess of 50 pounds and operating a variety of hand tools and equipment.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Requires knowledge of how to quickly and accurately assess a wildland fire situation and determine strategies and tactical methods to control wildland and residential/wildland fires. Guidelines specifically outlining how to handle every situation are not feasible or available. Knowledge of fire behavior Montana forest fire rules and regulations (contained in Administrative Rules of Montana) Montana burning permit requirements local fire prevention needs Incident Command System CPR first aid hazardous materials awareness and radio use. Requires skill in driving on unimproved road systems reading maps using a hand compass hand tools chainsaws and other firefighting or project-related equipment. Ability to plan organize and conduct safe cost-effective control of wildland fires perform physically demanding arduous work for extended time periods effectively communicate verbally to others properly complete agency paperwork and complete wildland firefighter training courses. Most knowledge skills or abilities such as CPR and hazardous materials awareness require yearly demonstration of proficiency.

The position is required to meet arduous physical fitness requirements stipulated by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation policy.

The position requires possession of a Class C Montana Drivers license (or equivalent interstate drivers license).

The above knowledge skills and abilities are typically acquired through completion of high school or equivalency three seasons of satisfactory progressive performance in wildland fire suppression (with one season as a Helicopter Manager) and satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander (Type 5) during the initial response to two wildland fires.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

Graduation from high school or equivalent. Two years of experience in wildland fire suppression with supervisory responsibilities and be fully qualified as Helicopter Manager ICT5 and Faller A. Must have successfully performed on two qualifying uncontrolled fires as a Helicopter Manager. Performance on at least one qualifying uncontrolled fire as a Type 4 Incident Commander is desirable.

Upon Hire: Must be able to complete a physical performance test known as the Pack Test which requires you to carry a 45 pound pack the distance of 3 miles in not more than 45 minutes.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid drivers license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.

ELIGIBILITY TO WORK:

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 drivers license or other picture I.D. or a U.S. passport or a green card

Effective May 4 2026 this agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9 your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification.