Natural Resource Specialists 3 - State Aviation Coordinator

About the role

The Aviation Unit Protection Division is seeking interest from employees for a job rotation as the State Aviation Coordinator to provide support to the State Aviation Manager and Field operations.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a statewide Aviation Program Coordinator responsible for planning, coordinating, and administering aviation resources that support wildfire suppression and emergency response operations.
• Led aviation program development, aircraft coordination, contract administration, fiscal analysis, policy development, and interagency collaboration while ensuring compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, state and federal policies, and agency procedures.
• Provides technical leadership for the agency's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program, aviation strategic planning, procurement, and emergency aviation operations.
• Coincides with federal, state, local, military, and private partners to strengthen interagency cooperation.

Requirements

• Three years of experience in any natural resource area/aviation experience demonstrating the capacity for the knowledge and skills for this position.
• At least one year of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities in a natural resource or aviation programs, such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities.
• A bachelor's degree in (any natural resource/aviation area ), OR three additional years of related experience.

Qualifications

Note: Driver’s License Check – This position requires the operation of a state vehicle for official State business. As part of the hiring process, the agency uses Advanced Reporting LLC to conduct all required DMV driving-record checks. Advanced Reporting LLC will obtain and review the driving record for the top candidate to verify possession of a valid license and an acceptable driving record.

Skills

• Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills.
• Pioneered ability to analyze operational, financial, and program data to support budget development, resource allocation, performance evaluation, and strategic decision-making.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to facilitate statewide workgroups, coordinate agency projects, build consensus, and provide guidance and technical expertise to agency personnel and cooperators.
• Knowledge of aviation program administration, including aircraft coordination, aviation resource ordering, contract administration, interagency agreements, aviation logistics, and wildfire aviation operations.
• Experience with procurement and contract administration processes, including evaluating contractor performance, interpreting contract terms, coordinating solicitations, and supporting vendor and financial processes.
• Knowledge of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations, FAA regulatory requirements, airspace coordination, and emerging aviation technologies is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex operational issues, develop practical recommendations, and implement process improvements that enhance statewide aviation program effectiveness.

Benefits

This job rotation will be working for the Aviation Unit in a hybrid work schedule. Location will be determined upon hire. Work schedule is Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Work Out of Class may be available for those who may currently be in a lower classification position than an NRS3. Those who are at or above the same NRS3 classification will remain in their current pay structure.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $5,458.00 - $8,352.00.

Schedule

The work schedule is Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Work Out of Class may be available for those who may currently be in a lower classification position than an NRS3. Those who are at or above the same NRS3 classification will remain in their current pay structure.