Incident Aviation Specialist I

Job TitleIncident Aviation Specialist I Agency Texas A&M Forest Service Department Aviation - Tanker Base Proposed Minimum Salary$22.45 hourly Job LocationAbilene, Texas Job TypeStaff Job Description This position will be the primary designee for maintenance of all aviation operations equipment, serve in various tanker base and/or helicopter management roles. The Specialist will be required to provide technical assistance to numerous bases while not on location and coordinate troubleshooting or solutions. This position will also serve as an emergency responder in various capacities and will serve as the aviation specialist to the Aviation Operations Officer in the operational duties of the Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) Air Operations program. Responsibilities: -Serve as a wildland firefighter with specialty in air operations. Duties include fixed-wing operations. -Maintain equipment and supplies related to airtanker, helibase and SEAT operations. Ensure proper mothballing and storage of portable air bases and other equipment. Assist with updating TAMFS aviation plans. Procure appropriate types of aviation retardants as needed. -Provide briefings to air crews and aviation support personnel as needed. Maintain cost records as required by incident and submit necessary federal reports. Review aviation bases for safety and efficiency. Provide risk assessment input relating to incident aviation operations. Ensure hazard maps are developed and maintained at each base. Provide recommendations for airspace closures and submit requests for TFRs as needed. Coordinate with dispatch and/or military deconfliction of MtRs as needed. Review aviation communication plans and provide feedback. Review national advisories on aviation equipment and incident operations and disseminate as appropriate. Participate in inter-agency Aviation Safety Technical Assistance Teams (ASTAT) as necessary. Provide input for aviation frequency requirements. Evaluate and provide pertinent information for land use agreements for aviation operations. -Assist with cache management for aviation resources. Assist other departments as needed, including prescribed fire, fire department inspections, fuels mitigation, prevention, etc. -Complete all agency training requirements and administrative duties such as credit cards, fuel logs, etc. Provide assistance with all Aviation Programs as needed including Rotor-Wing and UAS operations. -Other duties as assigned. Benefits: Texas A&M University System strives to support the health and wellness needs of our diverse workforce. Texas A&M Forest Service offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off and health and lifestyle programs as well as educational incentives and tuition reimbursement opportunities. Some additional benefits include the ability to accrue compensatory time off, overtime on emergency response and a physical fitness incentive of $500 for passing the arduous test (walk three miles wearing a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less) each year. Education and Experience: Required Education: High school or equivalent. Preferred Education: Associates Degree or equivalent, Aviation related. Required Experience: Two (2) years experience with a recognized wildland fire agency. Experience working with federal wildland management agencies. Preferred Experience: Five (5) years experience with a wildfire agency or with aviation-related operations. Two (2) years experience with NWCG aviation operations. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Required Knowledge: Microsoft Word and Excel Preferred Knowledge: Understanding of aviation operations. Required Abilities: Ability to interpret federal aviation-related contracts and policies. Multi-task and work cooperatively with others. Preferred Abilities: Ability to work around aircraft. Required Skills: Good oral and written communication skills. Good organizational skills. Registrations, Certifications, and Licenses: Required: Valid Texas Driver's license. NWCG qualifications: HECM, FWPT, or RTCM. Preferred: Class A CDL. NWCG qualifications: SEMG, ATBM, HEMG, MXMS, etc. Applicant Instructions: Resume is REQUIRED to be uploaded to application. References are required to be entered in the secondary questionnaire section of the application. Certifications are preferred to be uploaded to the application. Documents/certifications can be uploaded in the "My Experience" page in the "Resume/CV section. More than one document can be uploaded; just click the "Upload" button for each document. Documents can only be loaded at this time and cannot be uploaded once the application is submitted. If there are any issues uploading documents, please contact 979-458-6690. Please check your spam folder in case more information is sent in regards to this position. All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institutions verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institutions procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer. Fulfilling the service component of a land-grant university system, Texas A&M Forest Service is a proud member of The Texas A&M University System. Celebrating 100 years of service, this state agency was created in 1915 by the 34th Texas Legislature. Each state in the nation has a state forestry agency, but Texas was the first to establish its state forestry agency as part of a land-grant college. Texas A&M Forest Service is recognized as the leader in defining forestry for the future of Texas and the nation. Applied programs include forest and tree development; wildfire prevention, mitigation, and protection; urban and community forestry; and a host of innovative forest sustainability programs. Texas A&M Forest Service works to ensure the states forests, trees, and related natural resources are conserved and continue to provide a sustainable flow of environmental and economic benefits. Texas A&M Forest Service Career Site Benefits - Besides getting to work for a highly-acclaimed state forestry agency with top-notch staff, there are many tangible benefits that go along with working with Texas A&M Forest Service. Exceptional health insurance is a huge economic benefit for employees. In addition to medical and life insurance, there are also options of dental, vision, long-term disability, and more. Paid vacation and sick leave and strong retirement plans round out a great benefit package. Texas A&M Forest Service is an Equal Opportunity / Veterans / Disability Employer. If you need assistance in applying for this job, please contact (979) 458-6690.