Wildland Firefighter - Helicopter Manager

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. 

Job Overview\:
This position has responsibilities to coordinate, implement, and supervise wildland fire initial attack personnel and equipment to provide a safe and effective fire management capability for the Area. Work assignments require cooperation and coordination with State and Federal agencies, the general public, permanent and seasonal employees and private contractors.The position supervises seasonal activities related to wildland fire protection, buildings, grounds, vehicles and fire-related program projects of the Area and Units. The incumbent will plan, coordinate, and implement training for Permanent and Seasonal personnel. One of the priorities for the Area is our cooperator relationships; therefore the Helicopter Manager will maintain relationships with the adjoining DNRC Areas, Federal agencies, and surrounding Counties. This position is supervised by the Area Aviation Operations Supervisor. The Helicopter Manager coordinates daily helicopter operations, directly supervises a Helitack Crew as well as a Fuel Tender driver as directed by the Area Aviation Operations Supervisor. This supervision may be extended on and off the Area during various work schedules. This position performs training, prevention, general forestry work, equipment and facilities maintenance, as well as other duties as assigned. This position may drive Helicopter support vehicles when requested by supervisors.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities)\: A job usually has three to five major duties.  List major duties in order of importance. 

• Fire Suppression and Preparation for Suppression
  Directs an initial attack Helitack module in preparation for suppression, and suppression of wildland and residential/wildland interface fires.

• Helicopter Management
  Working directly with the Pilot-in-Command, manages mission specific operations assigned to DNRC Rotor-wing aircraft.

*If you are interested in this position and want to apply, please reach out for a full job description. Contact HR at [email protected]

Application Materials Required For This Position Are\: 

• Online State of Montana Application 

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• References 

HELPFUL HINT\: You must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application.

Benefits 

• Work/life balance. 

• Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays), with vacation leave increasing with service.

• Longevity pay with continued state service.

• Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts.

• Access to free employee medical clinics and telehealth.

• Retirement plans (Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plus an optional 457(b) Plan).

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - may qualify you for student loan forgiveness.

• Career progression, professional development, and state employee discounts.

• Up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.
   

Work Environment\:
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 driver’s 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 (KSAs)\:

Knowledge of\:

• Wildland fire assessment, fire behavior, and strategies and tactics for controlling wildland and residential/wildland fires.

• Montana forest fire rules and regulations, burning permit requirements, and local fire prevention needs.

• Incident Command System.

• CPR, first aid, and hazardous materials awareness.

• Radio operation and use.

Skill in\:

• Quickly and accurately assessing wildland fire situations and selecting appropriate control strategies and tactics.

• Driving on unimproved roads.

• Reading maps and using a hand compass.

• Using hand tools, chainsaws, and other firefighting or project-related equipment.

Ability to\:

• Plan, organize, and conduct safe, cost-effective wildland fire suppression operations.

• Adapt firefighting strategies and tactics to varied situations where specific guidelines may not be available.

• Perform physically demanding, arduous work for extended periods.

• Communicate effectively verbally.

• Accurately complete agency paperwork.

• Complete required wildland firefighter training.

• Maintain and demonstrate required proficiency in applicable knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Minimum Physical Requirements\:

Ability to sit or stand for extended periods in office settings.
Ability to meet arduous physical fitness requirements stipulated by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Policy.

Ability to perform strenuous physical work for extended periods.

Ability to walk long distances over steep, uneven terrain.

Ability to lift and carry objects weighing more than 50 pounds.

Ability to dig and clear fire lines using hand tools and chainsaws.

Ability to operate tools and equipment during shifts lasting 12–16 hours.

Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.