Aviation Planner

Montana Department of Administration (DOA); Helena (AL); Hybrid; USD 51,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Leave & Holidays

Retirement Plan

Job summary

Montana Department of Transportation seeks an Aviation Planner to establish, plan, research, manage and implement Aeronautics programs, projects, grants, and data at the Helena office.

The role oversees the annual Montana Aviation Conference and may be trained as on-call search and rescue coordinator, about one week per month, reporting to the Safety, Education, and Registration Section Supervisor.

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 during legislative sessions.

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, approximately one week per month.

Skills

Project management

Planning best practices

Decision making support

Education

Bachelor's degree in aviation or related field

4 years of related experience in lieu of a degree

Job description

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

Applicant Pool Statement: If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment: Not Applicable

Salary: $37.44 - 37.44 Hourly

Telework Eligibility: Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.)

Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings: 1

Employee Status: Regular

Schedule: Full-Time

Job Type: Standard

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes, 15 % of the Time

Primary Location: Helena

Agency: Department of Transportation

Union: Montana Federation of Public Employees

Posting Date: Oct 20, 2026, 6:08:34 PM

Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone): Nov 4, 2026, 6:59:00 AM

Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.

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.