FOREST FIRE PILOT
DEFINITION:
Under supervision of the Chief, Bureau of Forest Fire Management, or other supervisory official in the Bureau of Forest Fire Management, Division of Parks and Forestry, Department of Environmental Protection, pilots either a fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter over varied types of terrain used in the prevention, pre-suppression, and/or suppression of forest fires; does related work as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Serves as a pilot of forest-fire-aircraft, used to transport cargo and personnel of an airborne command center during routine and emergency operations of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
Serves as a pilot of forest-fire-aircraft used to deliver water and apply fire retardant substances to control and remediate forest fires. May be required to apply other substances during the course of forestry-related projects undertaken by the NJ State Forest Fire Service.
Acts as a lead operative of temporary or supplemental pilots contracted by the NJ Forest Fire Services on an as needed basis to support the agency’s staffing needs during emergency situations.
Conducts aerial surveys to monitor the degree and extent of forest fuel types, the status of presuppression lines in fire-prone areas, and hazardous conditions warranting fuel mitigation strategies.
Serves as a pilot of forest-fire-aircraft used in collaboration with other states or agencies that have entered into cooperative agreements for mutual aid to monitor, suppress, and respond to forest-fire-activity in shared areas or regions.
Performs routine preliminary and post-flight inspections of aircraft in accordance with the directives and regulations set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration in the US Department of Transportation.
Supervises the field operations at the aviation facilities owned and maintained by the New Jersey Forest Fire Services, in the absence of an Aviation Unit Supervisor.
Develops recommendations for a strategic plan for short-and-long-range aerial fire suppression strategies in vulnerable areas around the State.
Performs operational assessments and makes recommendations based on those findings for terms and conditions to be included in contracts between private and public entities and the NJ Forest Fire Service to secure aircraft and equipment used for forest-fire-fighting activities. Monitors contractual agreements and legally bound parties to ensure the fulfillment of contract terms and conditions.
Establishes and maintains essential records, files, and logs.
Prepares clear, technically sound, and accurate reports.
Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
EXPERIENCE:
NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester-hour credits are equal to one (1) of relevant experience.
Eight (8) years of experience in the field of forestry, natural resources, military aviation, or agricultural aviation.
OR
Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience.
NOTE: “Professional experience” refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession’s principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one’s own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.
NOTE: Applicants must possess one thousand (1000) hours as a pilot in command of forest fire suppression, forest fire observation, agricultural, military, or civil aircraft. Time can be in a fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter, military rotorcraft, or a combination of both, provided that at least 500 hours (500) are in the aircraft type being used by the position.
LICENSE:
NOTE: The Appointing Authority is responsible for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants will be required to hold a certification as a commercial pilot for an instrument-rated rotorcraft – (helicopter), or a single-engine aircraft as deemed appropriate by the appointing authority.
NOTE: Applicants must possess a Second-Class Medical Certificate issued by the authority of the Federal Aviation Administration in the U.S. Department of Transportation.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Appointees will be required to obtain a Forest Firefighter Certification, issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Appointees will be required to meet the qualifications established by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for fighting forest fires on an annual basis.
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only, if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the applicable laws, regulations, and directives set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration in the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Knowledge of the professional standards and safety procedures for operating helicopters and/or single-engine aircraft.
Knowledge of the State and Federal laws pertaining to fires and/or forest fires.
Knowledge of the techniques and practices used in the prevention, presuppression, and suppression of forest fires, applicable to New Jersey.
Knowledge of the terms, tactics, and practical application of both, related to forest fire suppression, prevention, and mitigation in New Jersey.
Ability to pilot a single-engine aircraft or helicopter and operate all associated devices and attachments under non-hazardous and hazardous conditions.
Ability to perform the duties of a forest-fire pilot in either a fixed-wing aircraft or a helicopter, including following standard aircraft operating procedures and making sound decisions while maintaining the safety of crew members and support personnel under non-hazardous and hazardous conditions.
Ability to perform aerial reconnaissance, inspections, and survey missions intended to develop fuel reduction programs, or for other related forest-fire management strategies and activities.
Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, and accurate reports.
Ability to establish and maintain records, logs, and files.
Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible, if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
