CPW WILDLIFE PILOT I / Entry Pilot (Grand Junction, CO).

State of Colorado; Colorado; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Dental plans

RETIREMENT PLANS (PERA)

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Wellness programs

Flexible Spending Accounts

Health Savings Accounts

11 paid holidays + leave

Remote-work options

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is seeking an experienced pilot to operate a Cessna 185 and other aircraft for aerial observation and wildlife data gathering across Colorado and surrounding states. You will work with managers, researchers, and law enforcement to observe habitats, track wildlife, and support conservation programs.

Responsibilities include flying at low altitudes, stocking fish, maintaining aircraft, and logging data.

Qualifications

• Experience operating aircraft in challenging environments.
• Ability to collect wildlife data via airborne platforms.
• Proficiency with navigation and data logging equipment.

Responsibilities

• Fly aircraft at low levels to observe wildlife, collect data, and support habitat projects.
• Stock fish from aircraft and coordinate with hatcheries for flight plans.
• Maintain aircraft and logbooks, ensure regulatory compliance and safety.
• Install and maintain aircraft telemetry, cameras, and related equipment.
• Schedule flights and coordinate with CPW teams to minimize conflicts.
• Perform non-pilot duties as required to support CPW missions.
• Carry out other duties as assigned to advance wildlife management.

Skills

Aviation piloting

Wildlife data collection

Education

FAA pilot certificate

Tools

GPS

Telemetry receivers

Cameras

Job description

Department Information

The primary duties of this position are located within 30 miles of the state border; therefore, this position is exempt from the residency requirements. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado. Consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. It’s our mission to manage and conserve Colorado’s natural resources for the benefit of people today - and tomorrow. That means we have to balance development with conservation so the state we all love provides similar opportunities for our children and their children.

Department Information

The primary duties of this position are located within 30 miles of the state border; therefore, this position is exempt from the residency requirements. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado. Consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. It’s our mission to manage and conserve Colorado’s natural resources for the benefit of people today - and tomorrow. That means we have to balance development with conservation so the state we all love provides similar opportunities for our children and their children. The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.

In Addition To Offering Rewarding, Meaningful Work, We Offer

• Medical and Dental plans
• Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre-tax and Roth 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employee Wellness programs
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave
• Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program .

COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE

Our Mission is to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state, to provide a quality state parks system, and to provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado's natural resources. The work unit exists to implement and execute those technical and administrative functions, procedures and activities necessary and critical to accomplish the CPW’s wildlife programs throughout the state of Colorado. Specifically, this work unit exists to provide an aerial platform to support the gathering of information and data through direct observations and remote sensing.

Description Of Job

This position exists to pilot a Cessna 185 aircraft and other aircraft as necessary for Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the purpose of an aerial observation and photographic platform for collecting data on wildlife, wildlife habitat conditions, detection of law violations, stocking of fish and transporting personnel and equipment throughout Colorado and surrounding states. Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

Fly Aircraft

Fly aircraft at low levels and within narrow safety tolerances so managers and researchers can observe, count, document, radio track, and transplant wildlife. Fly at low levels so that observers can observe land, streams, rivers, and lakes for habitat value and improvement projects. Fly aircraft in the same manner to allow law enforcement personnel to enforce regulations. Assists in search and rescue operations. Operations may be single pilot operations or include passengers. The position often works without direct supervision, assuming responsibility for completing projects as agreed upon with the position’s supervisor and which is in accordance with CPW’s mission. Responsible for maintaining all administrative records and reporting of records to required business processes. Operates aircraft data logging equipment as necessary. Including but not limited to telemetry receivers, gps, cameras, multiple radios, radar altimeters and traffic avoidance systems.

Fly Aircraft to Stock Fish

Fly aircraft at low levels within narrow safety tolerances to stock fish from the airplane in mountain lakes confined by rugged terrain at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 13,500 feet above sea level at critically low altitudes and airspeeds. Transport fish eggs to and from hatcheries. Coordinates with hatcheries to develop flight plans, locations and time frames to stock fish. Responsible for maintaining all administrative records and reporting of records to required business processes.

Maintains state Owned Aircraft

Coordinates with supervisor to maintain an aircraft, hangar, and those components associated with the aircraft as prescribed by Federal air regulations parts 43 and 91 by direct labor, purchases, and contracts while staying within cost center limits. Formulates bid specifications for aircraft remanufacture, engine and propeller replacement. Coordinates with the supervisor to schedule maintenance needs of aircraft in advance to allow for budget planning. Submits invoices for payment, inputs credit card expenses and reconciles with receipts. Ensures proper aircraft logbook entries are complete and accurate.

Maintains and Installs Aircraft Equipment

Install and remove equipment from the aircraft, which includes but is not limited to telemetry antennas and devices, infra-red cameras, photographic cameras, fish stocking tanks, and other equipment as needed in compliance with the appropriate regulations and need. Cleans, organizes and performs non-specialized maintenance on hangers. Is qualified to instruct technicians on proper use and operation or telemetry receiver and other data gathering equipment. Installs and removes the fish tank from the airplane. Installs and removes camera equipment. Is familiar and able to mount, operate and troubleshoot all equipment. Cleans the aircraft as needed, performs basic maintenance and resupplies items needed for flights to instill confidence with passengers and assure desired outcomes. Maintains survival and safety gear as needed and outlined in the equipment list. Ensures that the aircraft is clean and mechanically aesthetic. Maintain hangers and other CPW equipment including repairs, cleaning and scheduling of specialized maintenance.

Schedules Flights

Coordinates with supervisor and necessary CPW employees to schedule flights. Resolves scheduling conflicts to the satisfaction of all multiple users from all organizational units of the Division. Uploads and downloads necessary data to GPS equipment, telemetry receivers, and transfers information to biologists and passengers as necessary.

Non Pilot Duties

Completes additional non- pilot duties as may be assigned by supervisor to further the mission of CPW. Consults with the supervisor to arrange projects for times between flight duties.

Other Duties As Assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substit