Head of Crew Training

Metrea•Moreno Valley, CA

12d•$250,000 - $275,000

About The Position

The Head of Crew Training leads the development, recruitment, selection, qualification, standardization, and continuous improvement of Metrea’s flight crew training system in support of compliant, safe, reliable, effective, efficient, and evolvable flight operations. Reporting to the Head of Aerial Firefighting Operations, the role ensures pilots, Airborne Mission Operators/Coordinators, and other assigned crew members are properly selected, trained, qualified, current, and competent to conduct Part 137 aerial firefighting operations where accepted by the applicable National Aviation Authority. The role may also support third-party operators or partners with their operational approvals. The position leads aircrew recruitment, training, qualification, and standardization programs; manages training resources and records; and keeps training aligned with regulatory requirements, operational risk, mission requirements, and emerging capabilities. It also supports operational test and evaluation, mission-system integration, and development of tactics, techniques, and procedures so new capabilities can be transitioned effectively into operational service. Within Metrea’s management system, the role is comparable to an AFF Chief Pilot, an EASA Nominated Person for Crew Training, and a CASA Head of Training and Checking. The position is full-time and exempt, with typical hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours and shifts may change to support deployed fire-season rosters and business needs. The role requires availability on call as needed and ability to deploy. The work environment includes office, hangar, and deployed settings, with 50% travel. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, be U.S. citizens, and hold a current U.S. passport.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Aviation Management, Education, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent operational aviation leadership experience.
Commercial Aircraft Multi-Engine Land Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating, appropriate aircraft type ratings, and qualifications to serve as Pilot-in-Command and Standardization Captain in DHC8-300 aircraft.
At least five years of aviation leadership experience, including at least two years in flight crew training, standardization, or operational leadership.
Demonstrated experience leading aerial firefighting crew recruitment, selection, qualification, instructor development, and enterprise training programs.
Practical experience applying aviation safety standards, Safety Management Systems, and operational risk management principles.
Comprehensive knowledge of applicable FAA, US Wildland Fire Service, and other aerial firefighting regulatory requirements governing flight operations and crew training.
Strong leadership, organizational, strategic-thinking, communication, and workforce-development skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Learning Management Systems, and training management software.
Ability to deploy in support of operations, training, standardization, evaluations, and test activities.
Legally authorized to work in the United States and a U.S. citizen.
Current U.S. passport.
Ability to be on call and available as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting operational test and evaluation, flight test, mission-system integration, or development of operational tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Responsibilities

Lead aircrew recruitment, selection, onboarding, training, qualification, standardization, and professional development for pilots, Airborne Sensor Operators, and other assigned flight crew members.
Establish, implement, and continuously improve crew qualification standards, training syllabi, evaluation criteria, and standardization programs.
Recruit, develop, and oversee the standardization cadre to ensure consistent training and operational standards and tactics, techniques, and procedures.
Manage training resources, qualification records, learning management systems, simulators, training aircraft, and other training assets.
Evaluate training effectiveness using assessments, audits, operational feedback, qualification trends, and performance metrics, and implement improvements as appropriate.
Promote Safety Management System principles and operational risk management in training, ensuring it reflects current procedures, hazards, and mitigations.
Lead operational test and evaluation, developmental testing, validation, verification, and tactics, techniques, and procedures development for new aircraft capabilities, mission systems, sensors, and operational concepts.
Coordinate with Flight Operations, Safety, Compliance, Security, Maintenance, the Continuous Airworthiness Management Organization, the Aerospace Engineering Group, the People Group, operational leadership, and appropriate partner or third-party organizations to align aircrew readiness, workforce planning, and training with organizational and operational requirements.
Support deployment for operations, training, standardization, evaluations, and test activities.