Smokejumper Aircraft Captain — 2027 Seasonal

Pilot Assessments; Sheridan (WY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent pay

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Supplemental insurance options

Job summary

Pilot Assessments seeks an experienced pilot to operate company aircraft supporting USFS and BLM smokejumper contracts. You will transport smokejumpers, perform para-cargo drops, and conduct IFR point-to-point flights in challenging terrain across the continental U.S. and Alaska.

Base: Sheridan, WY, full-time/seasonal role for 2027 smokejumper season. Requires ATP certificate, 5,000+ total hours, and extensive PIC experience.

Qualifications

• ATP certificate or completion of the ATP written examination.
• Total flight time: 5,000+ hours.
• Airplane time: 2,000+ hours; 100+ hours in airplanes within the preceding 12 months.
• Multi-engine: 500+ hours.
• PIC night: 100+ hours.
• PIC instrument: 75+ hours.
• PIC cross-country: 1,000+ hours.
• PIC large aircraft: 250+ hours in aircraft >12,500 lbs.
• PIC turboprop: 500+ hours.
• Low-level flight: 200+ hours below 500 ft AGL.
• Mountain flying: 500+ hours below 2,500 ft AGL.
• Mindset & skills: Safety-first judgment, high situational awareness, strong crew coordination, clear communication, excellent customer service, and a positive, professional attitude.
• Team fit: Comfortable working collaboratively during extended remote assignments; adaptable to changing schedules, locations, and operating conditions.
• Preferred: Agricultural aviation experience.

Responsibilities

• Transport and deploy smokejumpers into remote locations.
• Execute low-level para-cargo drops with precision.
• Conduct point-to-point IFR operations.
• Operate large aircraft safely at slow airspeeds in mountainous terrain and changing weather.
• Demonstrate strong situational awareness, clear communication, and effective crew coordination during extended remote assignments.
• Adapt to evolving schedules, locations, and operating conditions while maintaining a safety-first, customer-focused approach.

Skills

Safety-first judgment

Situational awareness

Crew coordination

Clear communication

Customer service

Professional attitude

Education

ATP certificate

Job description

The Mission

Operate company aircraft in support of USFS and BLM smokejumper contracts across the continental U.S. and Alaska. You’ll transport and drop smokejumpers, conduct low-level para-cargo deliveries, and perform IFR point-to-point flights—all while exercising sound judgment, precise aircraft control at slow airspeeds, and strong crew coordination in mountainous terrain.

What You’ll Do

• Transport and deploy smokejumpers into remote locations.
• Execute low-level para-cargo drops with precision.
• Conduct point-to-point IFR operations.
• Operate large aircraft safely at slow airspeeds in mountainous terrain and changing weather.
• Demonstrate strong situational awareness, clear communication, and effective crew coordination during extended remote assignments.
• Adapt to evolving schedules, locations, and operating conditions while maintaining a safety-first, customer-focused approach.

What You Bring

• Certificates: ATP or completion of the ATP written examination.
• Total flight time: 5,000+ hours.
• Airplane time: 2,000+ hours; 100+ hours in airplanes within the preceding 12 months.
• Multi-engine: 500+ hours.
• PIC night: 100+ hours.
• PIC instrument: 75+ hours.
• PIC cross-country: 1,000+ hours.
• PIC large aircraft: 250+ hours in aircraft >12,500 lbs.
• PIC turboprop: 500+ hours.
• Low-level flight: 200+ hours below 500 ft AGL.
• Mountain flying: 500+ hours below 2,500 ft AGL.
• Mindset & skills: Safety-first judgment, high situational awareness, strong crew coordination, clear communication, excellent customer service, and a positive, professional attitude.
• Team fit: Comfortable working collaboratively during extended remote assignments; adaptable to changing schedules, locations, and operating conditions.
• Preferred: Agricultural aviation experience.

What You’ll Get

• Excellent pay.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Supplemental insurance options.

No specific pay amount is stated.

Compliance & Safety

• Employment is subject to verification of certificates, ratings, flight experience, and recency.
• Must meet applicable company, customer, FAA, and contract requirements.
• Position is subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing.

Role Snapshot

• Base: Sheridan, Wyoming
• Operating area: Lower 48 and Alaska
• Employment type: Full-time, Seasonal
• Season: 2027 smokejumper season