Fire Operations Specialist-Aviation 2026-02571

State of Wyoming; Casper (WY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement plans (Pension, 457B)

Job summary

The Office of State Lands and Investments, Wyoming State Forestry Division, seeks a Fire Operations Specialist – Aviation to manage an exclusive-use helitack program and personnel for fast initial attack on wildland fires. You will direct helicopter operations, oversee helibases, and administer contracts, supporting fire suppression, emergencies, and resource management.

Requires a Bachelor's degree in Forestry and 0–2 years (or 3–5 years substitution) in forestry, plus a valid driver's license.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry
• 0-2 years progressive work experience (typically in Forestry)
• Possesses and maintains a valid driver's license
• 3-5 years progressive forestry experience (substitution)
• Ability to meet firefighter physical fitness at Arduous level (level III)

Responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates, and directs helicopter support for wildfire, emergency response, and resource management missions.
• Acts as field Project Inspector for helicopter service contracts.
• Serves as helicopter specialist providing technical expertise for helicopter projects.
• During initial attack and emergencies, may assume roles such as incident commander or helicopter manager.
• Coordinates and teaches helicopter operations to Wyoming State Helitack and cooperating agencies.

Skills

Aviation operations

Crew leadership

Microsoft Office

Communication

Physical fitness

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Forestry

3-5 years forestry experience

Tools

Word

Excel

Access

PowerPoint

Job description

Open Until Filled

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Office of State Lands and Investments, Wyoming State Forestry Division (WSFD), is seeking a Fire Operations Specialist – Aviation, to provide direct management of an exclusive use helitack program and personnel/firefighters that provides fast initial attack and large fire support, on wildland fires, and other incidents via helicopter; manages permanent and temporary helibases; provides contract administration; plans and directs helicopter operations in support of fire suppression, emergency incidents, natural disasters and resource management projects. Directs and manages crew and contract personnel on daily operations, coordinates/prioritizes training, physical fitness program, and project work on state trust land.

Working for the State of Wyoming offers more than a paycheck. Our total compensation package includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays
• Retirement - Pension and 457B plans that help you build a secure future
• Meaningful work that makes a difference for Wyoming communities
• and MUCH MORE!

Human Resource Contact

Ryan Scheer / 307-777-8570 / [e-mail]

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plans, coordinates, and directs helicopter support to execute wildfire, emergency response, and resource management missions.
• Serves as a project inspector (PI) and is designated as the field Project Inspector for the helicopter service contract assigned to the State.
• Performs as a helicopter specialist for the State, providing technical expertise for helicopter projects.
• During initial attack, ongoing fires, other natural disasters, search and rescue, and other emergencies, may serve in the capacity of incident commander, helicopter manager, or other positions as needed or assigned.
• Coordinates and serves as an instructor for Wyoming State Helitack and other cooperating agency personnel in helicopter operations, wildland fire, and other related subject areas
• Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts short-term priorities, prepares schedules for completion of work, and approves leave.
• Ensures daily staffing is appropriate to ensure the highest level of response and safety.

PREFERENCES

Preference will be given to applicants that possess a current Red Card with qualifications as a Helicopter Manager (HMGB) or Helicopter Manager trainee HMGB(T), Helibase Manager HEBM or Helibase Manager trainee with Incident Commander Type IV (ICT4) per NWCG 310-1, June 2013 minimum standard.

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of complex wildland firefighting techniques, fire equipment, fire behavior, fuel models, and the Incident Command System.
• Knowledge of fire behavior including causes of wildland fire, the influence of temperature, humidity, wind, topography, slope, and fuel moisture conditions, and fuels to know where to attack the fire, build fire line, where to be positioned to manage wildland fire and to identify hazards.
• Knowledge of air operations, helicopter capabilities and limitations, helicopter contracts, load balance and capacity, load calculating, and personnel and equipment manifests.
• Knowledge of accepted fire safety practices and procedures to prevent injury and loss of life.
• Knowledge of fire terminology to communicate with other crewmembers.
• Knowledge of work procedures and practices in working with helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
• Skills in written and oral communication to effectively interact with people at all levels, internal and external to the organization, including the public.
• Ability to communicate policies, procedures, and methods to crewmembers.
• Skills in creating educational and informational materials for displays, print, speeches, and training courses.
• Skills in communicating and presenting to diverse groups.
• Skills in the use of Microsoft software, including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to exercise independent judgmentand function with minimal supervision.
• The Applicant must meet the firefighter physical fitness qualifications at the level III “Arduous” level.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor's Degree (typically in Forestry)

Experience

0-2 years of progressive work experience (typically in Forestry)

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Possesses and maintains a valid driver's license

OR

Education & ExperienceSubstitution

3-5 years of progressive work experience (typically in Forestry)

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Possesses and maintains a valid driver's license

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

• Many of the duties performed on these jobs require considerable physical exertion, working outdoors in all terrain and weather conditions, working long hours, and extended periods of time away from home.
• Duties include, but may not be limited to, the ability to carry up to 45 pounds, run, bend, twist, walk, and/or climb.
• A work capacity test or "pack" test that measures candidates' physical fitness is administered as part of the selection process. Candidates are required to pass at the "Arduous" level for a firefighter crewmember.

NOTES

• FLSA: Non-Exempt

Wyoming State Forestry Website - http://wsfd.wyo.gov/

URL: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/wyoming/default.cfm

The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.

Class Specifications are subject to change, please refer to the A & I HRD Website to ensure that you have the most recent version.