Incident Aviation Specialist I - Fixed Wing

Texas A&M University System • Fredericksburg, TX

1d • $22

About The Position

This position will be the primary designee for maintenance of all aviation operations equipment, serve in various tanker base and/or helicopter management roles. The Specialist will be required to provide technical assistance to numerous bases while not on location and coordinate troubleshooting or solutions. This position will also serve as an emergency responder in various capacities and will serve as the aviation specialist to the Aviation Operations Officer in the operational duties of the Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) Air Operations program.

Requirements

• High school or equivalent.
• Two (2) years experience with a recognized wildland fire agency.
• Experience working with federal wildland management agencies.
• Valid Texas Driver's license.
• NWCG qualifications: HECM, FWPT, or RTCM.
• Ability to interpret federal aviation-related contracts and policies.
• Multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

• Associates Degree or equivalent, Aviation related.
• Five (5) years experience with a wildfire agency or with aviation-related operations.
• Two (2) years experience with NWCG aviation operations.
• Understanding of aviation operations.
• Ability to work around aircraft.
• Class A CDL.
• NWCG qualifications: SEMG, ATBM, HEMG, MXMS, etc.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a wildland firefighter with specialty in air operations. Duties include fixed-wing operations.
• Maintain equipment and supplies related to airtanker, helibase and SEAT operations. Ensure proper mothballing and storage of portable air bases and other equipment. Assist with updating TAMFS aviation plans. Procure appropriate types of aviation retardants as needed.
• Provide briefings to air crews and aviation support personnel as needed. Maintain cost records as required by incident and submit necessary federal reports. Review aviation bases for safety and efficiency. Provide risk assessment input relating to incident aviation operations. Ensure hazard maps are developed and maintained at each base. Provide recommendations for airspace closures and submit requests for TFRs as needed. Coordinate with dispatch and/or military deconfliction of MtRs as needed. Review aviation communication plans and provide feedback. Review national advisories on aviation equipment and incident operations and disseminate as appropriate. Participate in inter-agency Aviation Safety Technical Assistance Teams (ASTAT) as necessary. Provide input for aviation frequency requirements. Evaluate and provide pertinent information for land use agreements for aviation operations.
• Assist with cache management for aviation resources. Assist other departments as needed, including prescribed fire, fire department inspections, fuels mitigation, prevention, etc.
• Complete all agency training requirements and administrative duties such as credit cards, fuel logs, etc. Provide assistance with all Aviation Programs as needed including Rotor-Wing and UAS operations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Texas A&M University System strives to support the health and wellness needs of our diverse workforce.
• Texas A&M Forest Service offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off and health and lifestyle programs as well as educational incentives and tuition reimbursement opportunities.
• Some additional benefits include the ability to accrue compensatory time off, overtime on emergency response and a physical fitness incentive of $500 for passing the arduous test (walk three miles wearing a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less) each year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED