Wildlife Aircraft Pilot (Full-time)

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, AZ

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is hiring a Wildlife Aircraft Pilot for its Aviation Branch in the Field Operations Division, based in Phoenix, Arizona. The pilot operates single-engine land aircraft to support Department and Commission-directed activities, including wildlife surveys, radio telemetry, law enforcement patrols, search and rescue, aerial photography, and wildlife and personnel transport. Missions include precision low-level flight at approximately 100–200 feet above ground level, sometimes at minimal airspeed and in challenging or hazardous conditions, as well as international flights into Mexico for cross-border conservation work. The pilot is responsible for safe and efficient aircraft operation, inspecting aircraft and maintenance records for FAA compliance, completing required AZGFD and Aviation Section paperwork, helping clean aircraft and maintain hangar and office facilities, and serving as chief pilot in the Chief Pilot’s absence. The role requires a flight interview in a Department aircraft. Employment is contingent on completing a post-offer medical/physical examination and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions. Driving or using a vehicle for State business is an essential function of the job.

Requirements

FAA Commercial Single-Engine Land (SEL) pilot certificate with an instrument rating.
Current FAA Class I or Class II medical certificate.
At least 2,500 hours of Pilot in Command (PIC) time in airplanes.
Considerable, provable experience in low-level flight operations, such as wildlife surveys, pipeline patrol, forestry, or firefighting.
Knowledge of FAA regulations and their application, aircraft performance, aerodynamics, and flight dynamics, particularly in low-level flight.
Knowledge of Arizona geography and topography, GPS navigation units, computer programs, and portable electronic devices.
Skill in safe low-level aircraft maneuvering at minimal airspeed and in less-than-optimum or hazardous conditions, maintaining precise heading and altitude, and remaining alert to in-flight hazards.
Skill flying tail-wheel and tricycle-gear aircraft under varied flight conditions and operating in remote areas and over rugged terrain.
Ability to maneuver the aircraft safely to survey, classify, or locate wildlife.
Ability to communicate with Air Traffic Control and work with people across a variety of personalities and mission profiles.
Ability to travel to Mexico with a valid passport.
Ability to pass a flight interview in a Department aircraft with the Department’s Chief Pilot.
Ability to meet the driving or vehicle-use requirements for conducting State business, if applicable.

Nice To Haves

50 hours of Pilot in Command experience in turboprop aircraft.
200 hours of tail-wheel experience with a tailwheel endorsement.
Experience in low-level flight operations such as wildlife surveys, pipeline patrol, forestry, or firefighting.

Responsibilities

Operate single-engine land aircraft safely and efficiently for Department missions.
Conduct low-level wildlife surveys and maneuver the aircraft to help biologists survey, classify, and locate wildlife.
Support radio telemetry tracking, law enforcement patrols during the day and night, search and rescue, aerial photography, and wildlife and personnel transport.
Conduct required international flights into Mexico.
Inspect aircraft and flight and maintenance records for compliance with FAA regulations.
Prepare paperwork required by AZGFD and the Aviation Section.
Assist with cleaning aircraft and maintaining hangar and office facilities.
Serve as chief pilot in the Chief Pilot’s absence.
Perform other duties as assigned.