Program Specialist 1- Helicopter Program Manager Southwestern Land Office

The Southwestern Land Office (SWLO) is responsible for Department of Natural Resources and Conservation programs within the geographic area of Mineral Missoula Ravalli Granite Powell Deerlodge Silverbow and that portion of Lewis & Clark County lying west of the Continental Divide. The Land Office manages field activities for the Forestry Lands and Reclamation Divisions and is responsible for all day-to-day operations by the Department within that geographic area. The Land Office is responsible for directly providing wildland fire protection to approximately 1.9 million acres of Federal State and private land with one of the highest average fire loads (200 fires/year) in the State. The Land Office is responsible for providing assistance to private forest landowners and administering the logging slash fire hazard reduction (HRA) and implementation of Best Management Practices for Forestry Activities (BMP law) on state and private lands. The Land Office also enforces management standards and regulates all commercial timber sale practices within the Streamside Management Zones (SMZ law). The Land Office administers 279650 surface acres of State-owned trust land. Additionally the Land Office administers lands below the low water mark on approximately 500 miles of navigable waterways. The Land Office is responsible for forest product sales of 12 to 15 million board feet annually (generates a revenue between 2.5 to 5 million dollars) timber stand improvement and logging debris disposal. The Land Office is also responsible for the management of special uses on trust lands involving approximately 750 leases and special land use authorizations approximately 50-100 permanent right-of-way easement grants per year and approximately 5 mineral leasing/licensing uses generating approximately $1.5 million dollars per year. The Land Office administers the recreation Access Law including general recreation use group use and commercial outfitting. The area encompassed by the Land Office is home to approximately 21% of the states population. Politically sensitive recreation and aesthetic values complex and diverse forest habitat types sensitive riparian features critical watershed relationships special management considerations due to threatened and endangered wildlife species such as grizzly bears bald eagles and gray wolves in combination or singly influence actions of the Land Office.

Position Summary:

This position is the Assistant Aviation Supervisor for the SWLO. The position supervises the staff and activities of SWLO aviation operations and to support statewide aviation operational and logistical assignments; and oversees or performs helicopter and helibase air operations support including helicopter manager. The position reports to the Aviation Supervisor; directly supervises two Helicopter Managers ! Lead Helicopter Crew Member and indirectly oversees and supervises six additional seasonal staff as needed for mission support.

Essential Functions (Major Duties and Responsibilities): These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent.

Aviation Program Supervision:

Supervise the staff and activities of CLO aviation operations and to support statewide operational and logistical assignments and provide ground support for fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

Aviation Operations:

Perform or oversee helicopter and helibase operations support including helicopter manager aerial observer and fuel tender functions to maintain proficiency in these functions and to ensure adequate operational support.

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!

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

Education or experience equivalent to an associate degree in forestry aviation fire science or a related experience should include at least four seasons (20 months) of wildland fire suppression experience including roles such as Single Resource Boss and Incident CommanderHelicopter Manager. Requires the ability to attain Incident Commander Type 4 and Strike Team/Task Force Leader certification upon hire.

Required knowledge skills and abilities:

Requires the ability to coordinate extensive and complex amounts of personnel and equipment to meet the needs of fire suppression and support forces during fire actions on multiple jurisdictions; the ability to make independent decisions with minimal supervision to express views and provide clear direction both in writing and through verbal communications; and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public government officials and agency employees. Communications and decisions are frequently conducted under duress and with fire personnel having different backgrounds and management priorities. The position requires knowledge of wildland fire tactical methods; fire behavior; related state rules and regulations; the incident command system (ICS); techniques for leading others in driving and/or operating a wildland fire aviation support equipment; fire suppression principles and practices (e.g. fire behavior fire assessment tactical methods); rotary and fixed-wing aviation operations; the Incident Command System (ICS); fireline safety procedures; radio use policies and procedures; fire prevention regulations practices and procedures; basic vehicle maintenance; mechanical carpentry and painting procedures and methods; state and DNRC personnel policies and procedures; supervisory practices; and training methods.

The work requires skill in reading maps; planning and organization; using and maintaining a variety of specialized forestry tools and equipment; operating all types of fire suppression equipment; driving off-road and on unimproved road systems; the use of a map and compass; the use of hand (e.g. axe shovel Pulaski) and power (e.g. chainsaw) tools; the use of hoses and water handling accessories (e.g. nozzles valves couplings and hose clamps); communicating clearly with others using correct terminology and processes; and skill in using tools and equipment cleaning and making minor repairs.

The position requires the ability to make effective decisions under critical stress levels during dangerous situations to avoid high suppression costs property damage and injury or loss of life; safely effectively and efficiently manage the tactical use of fire suppression aircraft both fixed-wing and rotary-wing; perform physically and mentally demanding work under adverse conditions; develop unique solutions to complex problems based on extensive knowledge and experience of both local conditions and broader aviation related fire suppression techniques; complete agency paperwork; and complete yearly demonstrations of proficiency.

*Good physical condition is mandatory. All persons performing firefighting duties are required to achieve a physical fitness rating of Arduous in the NWCG and DNRC physical fitness standards within two weeks of employment. Good eyesight and resistance to motion sickness are necessary to perform the duties of this position.

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.