Fixed-Wing Instructor Pilot, Aircraft Pilot 3 (Airplane)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Tumwater, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hiring a Fixed-Wing Instructor Pilot for the Air Operations Team in the Wildland Fire Management Division. The position instructs pilots on DNR’s multi-mission aircraft program, which uses two Kodiak 100 aircraft. It is a part-time, permanent, represented position based in Tumwater, Washington. The pilot trains and evaluates up to four wildland aerial firefighter/fixed-wing pilots, supports pilot recruitment and selection, conducts initial and recurrent training, and helps ensure compliance with DNR, interagency, and FAA requirements. The position also serves as a fixed-wing safety representative and subject matter expert, assists with aviation training and documentation, and supports aircraft and equipment maintenance activities. As Pilot-in-Command of an assigned Kodiak 100, the incumbent supports initial and extended wildfire suppression, including Air Attack/ATGS support and coordination of incident airspace. Other flying duties include reconnaissance, administrative support, VFR and IFR flight planning, transport of personnel and equipment, and operations in mountainous terrain and over active wildfires. The role includes maintaining aircraft readiness, flight records, equipment, and security; working with aircraft mechanics; and preparing aircraft and program assets before and after the fire season. Work is principally in an office setting in winter and in office and field settings during fire season. Schedules may change with minimal notice. The role requires extensive travel within Washington during fire season, occasional out-of-state travel, and the ability to work on uneven terrain in all weather and handle or transport items weighing up to 45 pounds. Compensation is listed as $7,044–$9,478 per month.

Requirements

At least one year of experience leading assigned pilots, aircraft, and crews for company operations under an approved FAA certificate company (133, 135, or 137) or a U.S. military flight operations team.
CFI/CFII ASEL ratings and certificates.
500 hours of dual instruction given.
Certified Flight Instructor experience.
2,000 hours of airplane Pilot-in-Command time.
500 hours of airplane Pilot-in-Command time in the category and class to be flown.
150 hours of fixed-wing turbine time.
100 hours of airplane Pilot-in-Command time within the preceding 12 months.
500 hours of airplane Pilot-in-Command cross-country time.
200 hours of airplane Pilot-in-Command time in mountainous areas as defined by 14 CFR 95 Subpart B.
200 hours of airplane Pilot-in-Command night-flight time.
50 hours of airplane Pilot-in-Command actual in-flight instrument time.
75 hours of airplane Pilot-in-Command actual or simulated instrument time.
25 hours of airplane Pilot-in-Command time in the Daher Kodiak 100 make and model, or ability to obtain 50 hours within the first three months of hire.
Current FAA flight review under 14 CFR 61.56 or an FAA Pilot Proficiency Check under 14 CFR Part 135.
Current FIRC and/or FAA currency to exercise Instructor Pilot privileges.
Collaborative interpersonal skills and experience functioning with peers in a fast-paced, stressful environment.
Ability to make risk-based decisions during emergency operations with little direct supervision.
Professional verbal and written communication skills and basic computer skills.
Commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice.
Ability to perform duties consistently with applicable laws, regulations, and public-records retention requirements.
Ability to work on uneven terrain in all weather conditions and transport or manipulate packages, boxes, parts, or equipment weighing up to 45 pounds.
Ability to travel extensively within Washington during fire season, travel 10–25% of the time during winter, and occasionally travel outside the state.
Current valid driver’s license and at least two years of driving experience; license must not be suspended, revoked, or restricted.
Meet annual DNR pilot qualification and OAS/USFS flight and oral evaluation standards within three months of hire and at least every three years thereafter, as directed.
Maintain a current FAA CFI and instrument instructor rating for single-engine airplanes, renewed every 24 months.
Possess a valid Class 2 FAA Medical Certificate through November of the current or upcoming fire season and renew it annually thereafter.
Complete IAT courses A-100, A-200, SEAT 1/2/3, MTN FLY, MH-1/2/3, and A-110 within 30 days of hire and every 36 months thereafter.
Complete required Washington DNR agency classes within 30 days of employment.
Pass annual DNR flight and oral evaluations to WA DNR Aviation Training Manual standards.
Complete Wildland Fire Fighter 2 (FFT2) ground academics within three months of hire.

Nice To Haves

100 hours of dual given in a Daher Kodiak 100 or equivalent turbine aircraft.
300 hours in turbine-powered aircraft.
200 hours of instrument instruction given.
14 CFR Part 133/135/137 Pilot-in-Command experience.
200 hours of airplane Pilot-in-Command night-flight time.
FAA Certified Flight Instructor, U.S. military instructor pilot, and/or Instrument Flight Examiner qualification.
Recent fire experience as Air Attack or Recon Pilot.
FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP).
Interagency fixed-wing pilot qualification (carded) with mission approval for reconnaissance, mountainous terrain, low-level operations, Air Tactical, and back-country airstrips.
Incident Command System qualifications.
Kodiak/Daher Pilot Factory Training Course completed within the last 24 months.
Safety Management System familiarity.

Responsibilities

Train and evaluate the flight performance of up to four wildland aerial firefighter/fixed-wing pilots.
Participate as needed in pilot recruitment, evaluation, and selection.
Conduct new-pilot training and evaluation in accordance with applicable federal and Washington State DNR requirements.
Evaluate pilots’ oral knowledge and flight performance, take corrective action when necessary, and initiate corrective intervention through the Chief Pilot.
Administer individual professional development plans and conduct flight reviews, annual carding-level certifications, and in-season performance spot checks as directed.
Ensure pilots meet department, interagency, and FAA requirements; recommend annual certification of department pilots.
Serve as a fixed-wing program safety representative and coordinate with the aviation safety manager and safety officer, including safety reporting program entries.
Assist the Fixed Wing Chief Pilot in assessing and implementing airplane operating standards and recommending changes to procedures and the program.
Develop, update, and present airplane aviation training, including mountainous-terrain operations, fire mapping, aircraft size-up, radio communications, flight planning, and unimproved-runway operations.
Serve as a subject matter expert for DNR multi-mission fixed-wing aircraft use and assist with aircraft, avionics, navigation equipment, and support-system design or modification.
Assist with airplane operations manuals, documentation, aircrew training, and assessments of flight-related documents.
Perform recurrent proficiency flights and evaluations.
Act as Pilot-in-Command of an assigned Kodiak 100 for initial and extended wildfire suppression, Air Attack/ATGS support, and coordination of TFR and FTA airspace.
Coordinate airborne firefighting activities with multiple agency aircraft until supervision passes to the Incident Commander or another Air Tactical Group Supervisor takes over.
Conduct reconnaissance and administrative flights, including VFR and IFR operations, transport, internal cargo transport, and flights in mountainous terrain or over active wildfires.
Maintain aircraft rapid-response readiness through inspections, fuel-level oversight, cleanliness, flight reports and logs, equipment inventories and inspections, and aircraft security.
Prepare reports of fire activities and other work performed, and operate aircraft within applicable DNR manuals and the Kodiak 100 FAA-approved flight manual.
Perform field-level preventive maintenance and troubleshooting on aircraft and related equipment; assist mechanics with field inspections and repairs under the Maintenance Supervisor’s direction.
Perform run-ups, flights for maintenance troubleshooting, and Maintenance Operational Checks that do not require a Maintenance Test Pilot.
Train observers, ATGS, and support crew members in aircraft equipment use, fueling, communications, maps and navigation, daily maintenance, cleaning, and sensor operations.
Prepare aircraft for scheduled maintenance and inspections, clean aircraft at season’s end, assist with maintenance and asset inventory, and prepare sensors and equipment for long-term storage.
Prepare pre-season bases and resources and maintain pilot training records.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Pilot or AADM.