Aviation Planner

Montana Department of Transportation; Helena (MT); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid remote work

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

State retirement plan

Paid vacation, sick leave and holidays

Relocation assistance may be offered

Public Service Student Loan Forgivene

Job summary

Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) seeks an Aviation Planner to establish, plan, research, manage, and implement Aeronautics programs, projects, grants, and data. The role includes coordinating the annual Montana Aviation Conference and may involve on-call SAR coordination about one week per month.

Based in the MDT Aeronautics office at Helena Regional Airport, the position reports to the Safety, Education, and Registration Section Supervisor and does not supervise others.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or 4 years of related experience required.
• 2 years of project management, planning or related experience.
• Alternative combinations of related experience and education may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Establish, plan, research, manage, and implement Aeronautics programs, projects, grants, and data.
• Plan the annual Montana Aviation Conference.
• May be trained to be on-call as a search and rescue coordinator, approx. one week per month.

Skills

Project management

Planning skills

Decision support

Legislative briefing

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Experience in lieu of degree

Job description

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is recruiting for an Aviation Planner. This position is responsible for establishing, planning, researching, managing, and implementing Aeronautics programs, projects, grants, and data. Responsible for planning the annual Montana Aviation Conference. May be trained to be on-call as a search and rescue coordinator, depending on qualifications, approximately one week per month. This position reports to the Safety, Education, and Registration Section Supervisor and does not supervise others. This position works in the MDT Aeronautics office which is located on the Helena Regional Airport.

Benefits of working for MDT and the State of Montana include:

• Culture of public service and a commitment to work/life balance
• Potential hybrid remote work arrangement available
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Access to Montana Health Centers, low-cost clinics for state employees and their families
• State Retirement plan and additional savings opportunities (deferred compensation)
• Employees in this position receive overtime compensation or compensatory time for all time in a pay status over 40 hours in a workweek
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
• Benefits apply on first day of employment
• Relocation assistance may be offered to the successful candidate at the time of offer

For information on the Montana Department of Transportation’s mission, vision, and values, please visit our website: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/about.aspx#values

Required Application Materials

• A resume detailing your qualifications and work history.
• A cover letter of no more than two pages addressing your qualifications for the position.

Required Education And Experience

• Bachelors degree in aviation, business, research, engineering, project management, event planning or related field. *OR 4 years of additional related experience in lieu of a degree.
• 2 years of project management, planning or related experience.
• Alternative combinations of related experience and education may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Bulleted list of qualifications Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Knowledge of planning and project management best practices.
• Ability to learn, understand, and provide information to management for decision making and during legislative session.

Other Information

The successful candidate must pass a name-based background investigation as a condition of employment.

This position is being posted in accordance with the bargaining unit agreement. Non-bargaining unit employees or employees of another bargaining unit may apply. If the position is not filled with a bargaining unit applicant, the non-bargaining unit applicants may be considered. However, bargaining unit applicants will have preference.

The Montana Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity employer. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans and disabled veterans are encouraged to apply. People with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may call the Human Resources and Occupational Safety Division, at 406.444.6054.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is committed to continuous improvement of our employee safety program and our safety and health processes, and to achieving an injury-free workplace.

Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire. Generally, sponsorship for work authorization is not available through the State of Montana.

Effective 5/26/2026, MDT is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov