Fire Operations Specialist-Aviation-2026-01194

General Description

The Office of State Lands and Investments, Wyoming State Forestry Division (WSFD), is seeking a Fire Operations Specialist – Aviation to manage an exclusive use helitack program and personnel/firefighters.

Essential Functions

• Plans, coordinates, and directs helicopter support to execute wildfire, emergency response, and resource management missions.
• Serves as a project inspector (PI) and is designated as the field Project Inspector for the helicopter service contract assigned to the State.
• Performs as a helicopter specialist for the State, providing technical expertise for helicopter projects.
• During initial attack, ongoing fires, other natural disasters, search and rescue, and other emergencies, may serve in the capacity of incident commander, helicopter manager, or other positions as needed or assigned.
• Captains and manages crew and contract personnel on daily operations, coordinates/prioritizes training, physical fitness program, and project work on state trust land.
• Directs and manages crew and contract personnel on daily operations, coordinates/prioritizes training, physical fitness program, and project work on state trust land.
• Ensures daily staffing is appropriate to ensure the highest level of response and safety.

Qualifications

• Possesses and maintains a valid driver's license.
• Preference will be given to applicants that possess a current Red Card with qualifications as a Helicopter Manager (HMGB) or Helicopter Manager trainee HMGB(T), Helibase Manager HEBM or Helibase Manager trainee with Incident Commander Type IV (ICT4) per NWCG 310-1, June 2013 minimum standard.
• 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 of air operations, helicopter capabilities and limitations, helicopter contracts, load balance and capacity, load calculating, and personnel and equipment manifests.
• Knowledge of accepted fire safety practices and procedures to prevent injury and loss of life.
• Knowledge of fire terminology to communicate with other crewmembers.
• 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.
• Skills in creating educational and informational materials for displays, print, speeches, and training courses.
• Skills in communicating and presenting to diverse groups.
• Skills in the use of Microsoft software, including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and function with minimal supervision.
• Ability to meet the firefighter physical fitness qualifications at the level III “Arduous” level.