Seasonal Lead Helicopter Crewmember 2026-02660

State of Wyoming; Casper (WY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Wyoming, Office of State Lands and Investments - Wyoming State Forestry Division, seeks a Lead Helicopter Crewmember to head the helitack crew and perform wildland firefighting, management, and control as a specialized firefighter. The role involves helicopter-based suppression, preparedness, prevention, and prescribed burning in support of state forests and natural resources.

The position requires heavy physical work outdoors, strong leadership, and the ability to oversee load

Qualifications

• Knowledge of complex wildland firefighting techniques and fire behavior.
• Knowledge of fire safety practices and procedures.
• Ability to communicate policies and procedures to crewmembers.

Responsibilities

• Leads the fire suppression efforts of the helicopter module.
• Directs loading of helicopter personnel and cargo considering weight and balance.
• Completes manifests of personnel and equipment transported to incidents.
• Inspects and inventories helicopter accessories, fire tools, and equipment.
• Provides daily leadership and training for crewmembers in wildland fire and safety techniques.

Skills

Wildland firefighting

Fire behavior analysis

Air operations knowledge

Communication

Team leadership

Tools

Helicopter operations

Load balance and capacity

Job description

Open Until Filled

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Office of State Lands and Investments, Wyoming State Forestry Division (WSFD) seeks a Lead Helicopter Crewmember to lead the helitack crew and perform wildland firefighting, management, and control as a specialized firefighter. The helitack crew is primarily transported by helicopter and is responsible for performing work directly related to wildland fire suppression and control activities, including suppression, preparedness, prevention, monitoring hazardous fuels reduction, and prescribed burning.

Human Resource Contact: Ryan Scheer / 307-777-8570 / [e-mail]

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leads the fire suppression efforts of the helicopter module.


• Directs the loading of the helicopter personnel and cargo considering weight and balance, securing cargo, etc.


• Completes manifests of personnel and equipment being transported to the fire or other work sites.


• Inspects and inventories helicopter accessories, fire tools, and equipment.


• Assures needed tools and equipment are available for firefighting tasks.


• Serves as Helispot and Dipsite Manager on incidents requiring the establishment of these sites.


• Prepares and maintains required documents, including flight invoices, manifests, daily diaries, and load calculations.


• Performs fire operations, including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop-up.


• Monitors fire behavior, fire effects, and fire weather on wildland fires.


• Performs initial evaluation of fire situations, determines the rate of spread, potential hazards to property and other improvements, suppression method to use, hose lays, deployment of crew, point of the initial attack, type of tools to use, and application of water.


• Gathers and considers weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior to respond to wildland fire incidents. When positioning and deploying personnel and equipment, recommend best approaches and practices to protect the values at risk.


• Provides daily leadership and training for crewmembers, including training in wildland fire and safety techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression, and in the safe, efficient operation and use of tools, equipment, and vehicles used in fire suppression activities.


• Ensures work is carried out safely in all aspects of assignments.


• Maintains accurate maintenance record books for support vehicles.


• Ensures accurate time and Fire Activity Reporting, mid-month, and end of the month as requested by supervisor.


• Performs project work both on and off duty station, including but not limited to: fuel reduction, timber stand improvement, and pile burning.


• Performs general facility and compound duties.


• In the situation where the Assistant Crew Supervisor is absent, the Lead Crewmember fulfills the responsibilities.

PREFERENCES/AGENCY REQUIREMENTS

Preference may be given to candidates with at least three seasons of experience ona helitackcrew.

The Lead Helicopter Crew Member must meet the firefighter physical fitness qualifications at the level III Arduous level and must possess a current Red Card with qualifications as a Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), Helicopter Manager (HMGB) or Helicopter Manager trainee HMGB(T), Helicopter Crew Member (HECM) with Incident Commander Type V (ICT5) per NWCG 310-1, June 2013 minimum standard.

Must possess a valid driver's license.

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 and skill of standard first aid procedures sufficient to perform preliminary first aid and triage as necessary.


• 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 air operations, helicopter capabilities and limitations, helicopter contracts, load balance and capacity, load calculating, and personnel and equipment manifests. 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

None - See \"Preferences\"

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 or natural resource worker position.

NOTES

Contract Helicopters in the new 7,000 sq ft hangar.

T3 Helicopter and Crew responded to 43 fires last season and flew 192.6 hours.

T2 Helicopter responded to 30 fires and delivered 187,820 gallons of water.

New Wyoming State Forestry Helibase at Natrona County Airport in Casper Wyoming.

060-Office of State Lands and Investments - Forestry Division

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.