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 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 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. **We are willing to consider alternative work locations in the state of Montana.* *Job Overview: * The Aviation Specialist will assist the Aviation Program Manager (APM) in directing, planning, and developing complex aviation operations, aviation contracting, program goals, policies, and methods to conduct statewide air operations safely, in adherence with state and federal laws and in concert with other DNRC divisions, local government, other state agencies, and federal resource management agencies. The position reports to Aviation Program Manager. *Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities):* *Aviation Program Planning, Development and Coordination:* * Provides professional aviation fire planning and expertise for the Fire Protection program to DNRC field personnel and cooperating counties. This work requires knowledge of aviation and fire management principles and practices, aviation contracting and management, State aviation agreements, plans and guides, wildland fire initial attack planning and dispatch center organization, fire management including wildland fire suppression methods and techniques, fire behavior, and fire program objectives and project planning. In addition, the incumbent provides consultation and professional assistance to contractors and other users of aviation resources. * Aviation subject matter expert for fixed-wing and rotor-wing contract initiation, processing, procurement, and contract administration execution for both Exclusive Use (EU) and Call When Needed (CWN) contracts. Works closely with Fire Bureau Finance and Contract personnel in developing and maintaining contracts and tracking costs. * As needed, provides professional aviation management expertise and advice in review of state aviation related policies, manuals and guides, county co-op plans with aviation mutual aid agreements, DNRC crash rescue plan, Montana Army National Guard fire aviation guide, DNRC communications aviation plan, and dispatch center response plans. * Provides program planning, development, and guidance to field personnel, line officers, local government, and federal agencies for the DNRC aviation program in reference to federal, state, and local operations plans and guides such as Interagency Helicopter Operations Guide, state, and local mobilization plans. * Communicates with fire program managers, unit fire managers and interagency fire managers to provide guidance and oversight for aviation resources. Acts for APM, coordinating with other agencies involved in planning and development of interagency aviation operations, training, and aviation resource management. * Assists APM to analyze, plan, and develop goals, policies, and methods to ensure the Department's mission and objectives in performing statewide air operations are accomplished in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. * Prepares and provides for aviation safety by conducting research and program evaluation to develop and implement risk management and mitigation strategies to ensure the safety of DNRC and partner agency employees and the public. Evaluate the hazards of operations to achieve acceptable levels of risk and implement risk reduction while achieving the mission of the DNRC. * Assists APM with development, implementation, and reporting for annual Aviation Base Reviews. * Respond to inquiries from special interest groups, the public and the media and disseminate information to maintain public awareness and encourage support for Air Operations programs and activities. *Aviation Program Management:* * Coordinates with Land Office Aviation Officers on field aviation operations, technical guidance, special projects, and other air operations related activities. * Coordinates with other agencies and local government to ensure that sufficient levels of aviation resources are available to meet the projected preparedness levels needed to address the fire potential throughout the year. * This position provides leadership, guidance, and direction to aviation projects and fire suppression activities based on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards, DNRC policy, and information found within the Fire Program manuals and guides. * Maintains close liaison with DNRC Aviation Managers, Fire Management Officers, Line Officers, Interagency Dispatchers and Coordinators, and other agency Air Operations Managers. * Provides advice and guidance to field personnel and line officers on aviation issues. * Conducts analysis of aircraft use to determine long term organizational and budgetary needs for the Department. * Provides technical aviation advice on safety, strategy, and tactics to county fire resources. * Coordinates, conducts, and recommends aviation training for field personnel. * Assists safety and field personnel with submission of SAFECOMs. * Provides expertise on flight following procedures with dispatch centers for Fixed-Wing and Rotor-Wing administrative, training, and operational flights. *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, 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 Makayla.Mangold@mt.gov. *Physical and Environmental Demands:* The position’s work is conducted in both a normal office environment and in the field. Field work involves exposure to varying weather and road conditions, and moderate amounts of walking and climbing on rough, uneven terrain. The ability to perform physical labor is a job requirement. Fire suppression duties include dangers and risks associated with erratic and unpredictable fire behavior, walking and climbing on steep terrain, and rolling stones and falling snags. The position regularly encounters dirty, dusty, smoky and noisy conditions and occasional low-level flights in fixed and rotor wing aircraft and is required to drive vehicles on unmaintained roads and trails in all weather conditions. The incumbent is required to perform physically demanding work during fire seasons (digging fire line, walking and climbing for extended periods over rough terrain, carrying equipment and supplies) for shifts in excess of 12 hours for several days’ duration. *Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:*The position requires extensive knowledge of wildland fire management principles and practices; program management and administration; program and project planning; equipment and techniques used in wildland fire control; fire incident command system; interagency fire suppression strategy and tactics; fire finance and State procurement policies and procedures; wildland fire prevention and home prevention principles; forest management programs and activities; road design and layout; forest management laws, rules and practices; a variety of computer software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases; knowledge of training methods, techniques and practices associated with fire management. The position also requires knowledge of supervisory principles and practices, DNRC and State Personnel policies, procedures and precedents, organizational structures, employment law, and program requirements. The position requires skill in the use and operation of tools, equipment and vehicles used in wildland fire control, forest management activities and field office operations. The position requires the skill and ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; skill and ability in public speaking and delivering presentations to groups and individuals; the ability to coordinate and direct multiple human and physical resources to complete work objectives, work on multiple projects simultaneously; work well with others and maintain a positive working environment. Also required, is the ability to provide leadership and direction to others; the ability to synthesize multiple, rapid and critical information quickly and implement appropriate actions; the ability to direct and coordinate multi-agency mobilizations; and the ability to meet the physical fitness requirements of the position outlined in the DNRC 900 Pre-suppression Manual. *Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):* The required knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in fire management or related resource management field and 3 years of progressively responsible job-related experience in fire and forest management. High School diploma and 6 years applicable experience may substitute. // *SPECIAL INFORMATION*: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's 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 driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card" **Title:** *Program Specialist 1 - Aviation Specialist * **Location:** *Missoula* **Requisition ID:** *24143371*