This is the trainer/instructor and maintenance test pilot for aircraft pilots within an agency using single engine or multi-engine aircraft for agency operations, national resource missions and supporting firefighting operations.

Assists the Chief Pilot(s) in the development, planning, and execution of the agency training standards agency policy, OAS/USFS standards, and Federal Aviation Administration requirements for pilot qualifications;

Establishes curriculum and requirements for the training programs;

Develops individual and group training plans;

Provides supervisors with performance information/results;

Evaluates and recommends tactical direction, agency policy, procedures and guidelines with respect to pilot program training and safety needs;

Represents the agency on state and federal aviation task forces, trainings and groups;

Trains and certifies agency pilots annually for operations in state assigned aircraft;

Conducts annual flight reviews on assigned pilots;

Conducts no notice ground and flight evaluations on pilots as directed by Chief Pilot(s);

Completes official pilots training records;

Ensures all pilots training documents and records are current;

Conducts maintenance test flights for the certification of safe operations of aircraft;

Monitors and provides subject matter expertise to maintenance staff during inspections, equipment development, and maintenance test flights;

Reviews, corrects, and audits maintenance records to ensure accuracy, completion, and compliance with applicable regulatory guidance for aircraft operations;

Ensures maintenance work packets are accurate and complete prior to conducting maintenance test flights on aircraft;

Serves as a member of the maintenance/pilot staff on aircraft equipment development, approval, and qualification of aircraft;

Updates, reviews, and corrects aircraft logbook data;

Completes maintenance test flight paperwork IAW agency policy for all maintenance checks;

Completes Maintenance Test Flights and certification of Test Flight Records;

Performs the work of an Aircraft Pilot 2;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: Federal Air Regulations, Part 91; principles of flight; mountain flying techniques; meteorology; instrument flying techniques; principles and practices of effective supervision; aerial firefighting principle and practices; Advanced Aerial Fire Fighter pilot knowledge and experience; Aviation Safety Management Systems knowledge and experience; Instruction Option - Fundamentals of instruction; or, Maintenance Test Pilot Option – Maintenance test pilot and flight procedures; Safety Pilot Option - FAA/USFS/OAS Aviation Safety Procedures and Practices experience.

Ability to: Conduct flight instruction and evaluation agency pilots: under extremely hazardous conditions at low altitudes and conditions of low visibility; operate from rough improvised landing sites; make quick, accurate decisions when unexpected situations develop in flight; exercise judgment and tact when dealing with the public; learn, interpret, and enforce state and federal flight laws, guidance and rules; plan and supervise the work of others; prepare reports; complete official pilot training records; complete pilot improvement training plans.

Inspect, evaluate, and recommend corrections to maintenance personnel on procedures, work, and paperwork; inspect, test, evaluate, and document aircraft maintenance work performed during inspections, repairs, and installations; conduct research and implementation of new equipment installation on aircraft; complete required official aircraft Maintenance Test Pilot paperwork required for certification of agency aircraft; complete maintenance test flights and operational flight checks as required by agency policy; ensure aircraft are in a “Safe to Fly” condition when releasing from Maintenance Test Flight Status.

Inspect, evaluate, and recommend safety corrections/improvements in daily operations, aircraft maintenance, facility/base operations, and firefighting aerial engagement operations. Review pilot daily SMS/FRATs for any safety issues and address risk mitigation measures. Serve as the Air Operations liaison between the section and division safety sections. Recommend, manage, and lead by example on all Air Operations Safety procedures and practices for section as required for EPA, OSHA, L&I, FAA, and USFS/OAS/DNR requirements. Serve as the Air Operations Subject Matter Expert on all Air Operations Incidents/Accidents. Obtain, review, recommend corrections and process safety reports to include but not limited to IIRs, SRIs, NASA ASRS, SAFECOMs, SAFENETs, and WA DNR AVCOMMs.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Fixed Wing Option:

• 2,000 hours of turbine, turbo-prop and/or reciprocating engine logged flight time, including low level flight, below 500 feet, with 1500 hours Pilot-In-Command Airplane (PIC); dual rated pilots 100 and a minimum of 100 hours of actual/simulated instrument time.
• 200 hours of Airplane, 25 dual rated, mountain flight time; Mountainous area as defined by 14 CFR 95 Subpart B – Designated Mountainous Areas,
• 2 years’ experience with Aviation Safety Management Systems,
• 2 years experience operating Electronic Flight bags,
• Basic Microsoft Office knowledge to include: Outlook and Word,
• 2 years experience operating Electronic Flight bags,
• A current, valid FAA Commercial Certificate with Airplane Single Engine – Land (ASEL) rating or higher,
• A current FAA Medical Class I or II flight physical within the last 12 months,

Helicopter Option:

• Current FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate – Helicopter with Instrument Rating
• 2,000 hours of Pilot-In-Command (PIC) time in turbine engine powered helicopters, including solo operations with external loads,
• 200 hours of helicopter mountain flight time Mountainous area as defined by 14 CFR 95 Subpart B – Designated Mountainous Areas,
• A current, valid FAA Commercial Certificate with Helicopter rating or higher,
• A current FAA Class II flight physical,
• 2 years experience with Aviation Safety Management Systems,
• Basic Microsoft Office knowledge to include: Outlook and word,
• 2 years experience operating Electronic Flight bags,
• 100 hours in UH-1H Helicopters,
• 100 hours Pilot in Command Helicopter within the last 12 months;
• 50 hours solo Pilot in Command Longline/Tank Operations,
• Instructor experience in aerial firefighting helicopter operations.
• Interagency Aviation Training within the last 24 months to include: MH-1, MH-2, MH-3, and A-110,

Trainer/Instructor Pilot Option:

• A current, valid FAA Certified Flight Instructor – Helicopter and/or Airplane Certificate or Qualified as an Agency Approved Pilot Trainer IAW agency certification.
• A current, valid FAA Part 107 UAS certificate

Maintenance Pilot Option:

• Current and qualified as an OEM Maintenance Test Pilot, US Military Maintenance Test Pilot, Experimental Test Pilot, or an agency/department qualified Maintenance Test Pilot.

Safety Pilot Option:

• Qualified and/or 2 years experience as an Aviation Safety Officer in an Aviation organization with 10 or more aircraft assigned.

New job class established; adopted 6/22/2023, effective 7/1/2023