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Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained. Core Values: The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana's forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana. * We value and respect each other. * We create collaborative work environments. * We build and maintain strong relationships. * We practice accountability. * We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work Department Overview: The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's (DNRC) mission is to help ensure Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. The Department consists of the Director's Office; the Conservation and Resource Development, Forestry, Trust Lands Management, and Water Resources Divisions; the Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission; the Board of Oil and Gas; and an extensive network of 35 field offices. Job Overview: This position has responsibilities to coordinate, implement, and supervise wildland fire initial attack personnel and equipment to provide a safe and effective fire management capability for the Area. Work assignments require cooperation and coordination with State and Federal agencies, local fire departments, the general public, permanent and seasonal employees and private contractors. The position supervises seasonal activities related to wildland fire protection, buildings, grounds, vehicles and fire-related program projects of the Area. The incumbent will plan, coordinate, and implement training for Permanent and Seasonal personnel. One of the priorities for the Area is our cooperator relationships; therefore, the Helicopter Manager will maintain relationships with the adjoining DNRC Areas, Federal agencies, and Counties within and outside the Area. This position is supervised by the Area Aviation Operations Supervisor. The Helicopter Manager coordinates daily helicopter operations, directly supervises a Helitack Crew as well as a Fuel Tender driver as directed by the Area Aviation Operations Supervisor. This supervision may be extended on and off the Area during various work schedules. This position performs training, prevention, general forestry work, equipment and facilities maintenance, as well as other duties as assigned. This position may drive Helicopter support vehicles when requested by supervisors. Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): A job usually has three to five major duties. List major duties in order of importance Fire Suppression and Preparation for Suppression: Directs an initial attack Helitack module in preparation for suppression, and suppression of wildland and residential/wildland interface fires. Helicopter Management : Working directly with the Pilot-in-Command, manages mission specific operations assigned to DNRC Rotor-wing aircraft. Supervision: The number of employees supervised is: 2 APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE: * Online State of Montana application * Resume * Cover Letter HELPFUL HINT: You must check the "relevant document" box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application. Benefits: * Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays * Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage * Retirement Plans * Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.  Look here, to learn more and see if you may qualify! * If you are interested in a complete job description please contact HR at Physical and Environmental Demands: Over 50% of the work this position performs is conducted outdoors in mountainous terrain with exposure to environmental hazards for long time periods. Work is seasonal in nature and requires exposure to wildfires with associated discomforts, risk of serious injury, and exposure to adverse weather and terrain. Wildfires typically involve smoke, dust, hot temperatures, and high noise levels next to aircraft, equipment, and pumps. Hazards encountered can include erratic and unpredictable fire behavior; fatigue; working at night; falling snags; insects; rolling rocks; hazardous materials; poisonous plants; working around vehicles, fire engines and heavy equipment; exposure to hovering or low flying aircraft; wild animals; operating power tools; using sharpened hand tools; driving vehicles in all conditions including off road; urban interface hazards; and prolonged exposure to smoke. Work shifts during fire assignments are typically 12 to 16 hours per shift, and sometimes require relocation for up to two weeks at fire camps set up near larger fires. These camps can be remote, and firefighters are usually required to stay in camp when not engaged in firefighting tasks. Incumbent is required to respond to assigned duty station outside normal working hours within varied response time frames depending on actual and potential fire situations, and most tasks require varied travel times operating assigned fire engine or vehicles authorized by a Class C Montana driver's license. Position requires an ability to do physically demanding, arduous work. Many tasks are completed on steep mountainous terrain, such as digging and clearing fire line using hand tools and chainsaws, traversing long distances on foot lifting and carrying objects in excess of 50 pounds, and operating a variety of hand tools and equipment. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Requires knowledge of how to quickly and accurately assess a wildland fire situation and determine strategies and tactical methods to control wildland and residential/wildland fires. Guidelines specifically outlining how to handle every situation are not feasible or available. Knowledge of fire behavior, Montana forest fire rules and regulations (contained in Administrative Rules of Montana), Montana burning permit requirements, local fire prevention needs, Incident Command System, CPR, first aid, hazardous materials awareness, and radio use. Requires skill in driving on unimproved road systems, reading maps, using a hand compass, hand tools, chainsaws, and other firefighting or project-related equipment. Ability to plan, organize and conduct safe, cost-effective control of wildland fires, perform physically demanding, arduous work for extended time periods, effectively communicate verbally to others, properly complete agency paperwork, and complete wildland firefighter training courses. Most knowledge, skills, or abilities, such as CPR and hazardous materials awareness, require yearly demonstration of proficiency. The position is required to meet arduous physical fitness requirements stipulated by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation policy. The position requires possession of a Class C Montana Driver's license (or equivalent interstate driver's license). The above knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through completion of high school or equivalency, three seasons of satisfactory progressive performance in wildland fire suppression (with one season as a Helicopter Manager), and satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander (Type 5) during the initial response to two wildland fires. Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): Graduation from high school or equivalent. Two years of experience in wildland fire suppression with supervisory responsibilities and be fully qualified as Helicopter Manager, ICT5, and Faller A. Must have successfully performed on two qualifying uncontrolled fires as a Helicopter Manager. Performance on at least one qualifying uncontrolled fire as a Type 4 Incident Commander is desirable. Upon Hire: Must be able to complete a physical performance test known as the "Pack Test" which requires you to carry a 45 pound pack the distance of 3 miles in not more than 45 minutes. SPECIAL INFORMATION: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months. ELIGIBILITY TO WORK: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver's license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card"