Head of Crew Training

Metrea•Moreno Valley, CA

12d

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 is comparable within Metrea’s management system to an AFF Chief Pilot, an EASA Nominated Person for Crew Training, and a CASA Head of Training and Checking. The position ensures pilots, Airborne Mission Operators/Coordinators, and other assigned flight crew members are properly selected, trained, qualified, current, and competent to conduct Part 137 aerial firefighting operations wherever that standard is accepted by the relevant National Aviation Authority. The role may also support third-party operators or partners with operational approvals, such as CAR702 in Canada. The Head of Crew Training oversees the standardization cadre, training resources, qualification records, learning systems, simulators, training aircraft, and other training assets. The role maintains alignment between training programs, regulatory requirements, operational risk, mission requirements, and emerging capabilities. It also supports operational test and evaluation, mission system integration, and the development of tactics, techniques, and procedures so new capabilities can be incorporated into operational service. This is a full-time exempt position with typical working 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 employee must be available on call as business needs require. The work takes place in office, hangar, and deployed settings, with 50% travel.

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 aircrew qualification standards, training syllabi, evaluation criteria, and standardization programs.
Recruit, develop, and oversee the standardization cadre, ensuring consistent application of training and operational standards and tactics, techniques, and procedures.
Manage enterprise training resources, qualification records, learning management systems, simulators, training aircraft, and other training assets.
Evaluate training effectiveness through assessments, audits, operational feedback, qualification trends, and performance metrics, and implement improvement initiatives as appropriate.
Promote Safety Management System principles and operational risk management throughout training, ensuring training 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.
Integrate new capabilities into operational training and standardization.
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 on crew readiness, workforce planning, and training alignment.
Deploy in support of operations, training, standardization, evaluations, and test activities as required.