Washington State ESD
Rotorwing Aerial Firefighter/UH-1H Aircraft Pilot 2
Washington State ESD, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127
Rotorwing Aerial Firefighter/UH-1H Aircraft Pilot 2
Recruitment #2025-11-6261
Part‑time (30‑40 hours per week), Permanent, represented position (WFSE). Location: Olympia, WA. Salary: $35.10 – $47.18 hourly. Review of applications ongoing; position may close at any time after 11/20/25.
Position Summary DNR Wildland Fire Management Division – Aviation Section seeks an Aerial Wildland Firefighter Helicopter Pilot to operate UH‑1H helicopters for wildfire suppression, including bucket water drops, cargo delivery, fire reconnaissance, and Helitack crew insertion/transport in mountainous terrain.
Responsibilities
Serve as Pilot in Command of the assigned UH‑1H for missions including passenger transport, search and rescue, law‑enforcement support, and initial attack wildfire suppression.
Operate water/foam retardants from external buckets or tanks, coordinate with DNR Helicopter Manager or Incident Commander.
Perform fire reconnaissance, detection, photography and provide Helitack crew insertion and transport.
Maintain aircraft in rapid response status: daily inspections, fuel, cleanliness, flight reports and logs.
Prepare and submit reports of fire activities and other work performed.
Participate in proficiency flights, evaluations, and credentialing with the Chief Pilot.
Assist in training of Helitack crew on mission equipment, communications, navigation, and maintenance.
Support field maintenance of helicopters and related equipment under direction of Maintenance Supervisor.
Perform assigned duties as required.
Required Qualifications
Current FAA commercial pilot certificate with rotorcraft/heli rating and pilot instrument rating.
Minimum 1,500 flight hours as Pilot in Command – helicopter; 250 flight hours as P/IC in helicopter turbine aircraft.
Minimum 200 flight hours as P/IC in mountainous areas (14 CFR 95 Subpart B).
Minimum 100 flight hours as P/IC in the preceding 12 months.
Minimum 10 flight hours P/IC of external load/vertical reference/longline operations.
FAA current flight review IAW 14 CFR 61.56; or FAA pilot proficiency check 14 CFR Part 135; or Current Military APART.
Class 1 or Class 2 FAA medical certificate valid for entire fire season.
Strong communication, decision‑making, teamwork, and EEO‑compliant aviation skills.
Interpersonal skills and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment
Annual DNR flight and oral evaluation by the Chief Pilot.
Annual pilot qualification and longline evaluation to Interagency practical test standards within 3 months of hire and at a minimum triennially.
Current and valid Airline Transport Pilot – helicopter or Commercial Pilot license – helicopter.
Current valid Class 1 or Class 2 FAA medical certificate for the entire fire season (March–November).
Complete IAT online courses within 30 days of hire and every 36 months thereafter.
Field work: uneven terrain, all‑weather, pre‑flight inspections, climb ladders, lift up to 45 lb.
Considerable travel within Washington and surrounding states.
Valid driver’s license with 2 years driving experience and no suspension or restriction.
Desired Qualifications
1,000 flight hours P/IC in UH‑1H.
50 hours longline/vertical reference pilot P/IC.
FAA helicopter instrument rating with 50 h P/IC instrument.
FAA certified flight instructor or instructor pilot qualifications.
Qualified interagency helicopter pilot for mountainous terrain, low‑level reconnaissance, and load operations.
Incident Command System qualifications, safety management system familiarity.
EEO Statement Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, veterans, and people with military status are encouraged to apply. Veterans may attach DD‑214 or other verification of military service.
Application Requirements
Apply online at www.careers.wa.gov.
Letter of interest describing qualifications.
Resume detailing experience and qualifications.
References (optional) – list of at least three professional references.
Copies of current FAA flight certificates (front and back).
FAA Airline Transport Pilot or Commercial Pilot license – helicopter.
FAA Class 1 or 2 medical certificate.
Last two pages of pilot logbook or official flight record.
Current flight review, FAA pilot proficiency check, or Military APART.
State driver’s license or US passport.
FAA Verification of Certificate Privileges within last 30 days.
Complete supplemental questions.
Optional Attachments
Flight instructor certificates.
FAA Remote Pilot Part 107 certificate (current).
USFS/DOI pilot card.
DNR pilot card.
Contact Information Rich Knoth – 360‑764‑6494 or rich.knoth@dnr.wa.gov. For accommodations or testing process, call 360‑522‑2500 or email DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. Washington Relay Service 7‑1‑1 or 1‑800‑833‑6384.
Department Information Department of Natural Resources – Wildland Fire Management Division – Aviation Section. Vision: Washington lands and waters thrive. Mission: Manage, sustain, protect health and productivity for present and future generations. Core values: Safety, public service, innovation, leadership, teamwork.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Recruitment #2025-11-6261
Part‑time (30‑40 hours per week), Permanent, represented position (WFSE). Location: Olympia, WA. Salary: $35.10 – $47.18 hourly. Review of applications ongoing; position may close at any time after 11/20/25.
Position Summary DNR Wildland Fire Management Division – Aviation Section seeks an Aerial Wildland Firefighter Helicopter Pilot to operate UH‑1H helicopters for wildfire suppression, including bucket water drops, cargo delivery, fire reconnaissance, and Helitack crew insertion/transport in mountainous terrain.
Responsibilities
Serve as Pilot in Command of the assigned UH‑1H for missions including passenger transport, search and rescue, law‑enforcement support, and initial attack wildfire suppression.
Operate water/foam retardants from external buckets or tanks, coordinate with DNR Helicopter Manager or Incident Commander.
Perform fire reconnaissance, detection, photography and provide Helitack crew insertion and transport.
Maintain aircraft in rapid response status: daily inspections, fuel, cleanliness, flight reports and logs.
Prepare and submit reports of fire activities and other work performed.
Participate in proficiency flights, evaluations, and credentialing with the Chief Pilot.
Assist in training of Helitack crew on mission equipment, communications, navigation, and maintenance.
Support field maintenance of helicopters and related equipment under direction of Maintenance Supervisor.
Perform assigned duties as required.
Required Qualifications
Current FAA commercial pilot certificate with rotorcraft/heli rating and pilot instrument rating.
Minimum 1,500 flight hours as Pilot in Command – helicopter; 250 flight hours as P/IC in helicopter turbine aircraft.
Minimum 200 flight hours as P/IC in mountainous areas (14 CFR 95 Subpart B).
Minimum 100 flight hours as P/IC in the preceding 12 months.
Minimum 10 flight hours P/IC of external load/vertical reference/longline operations.
FAA current flight review IAW 14 CFR 61.56; or FAA pilot proficiency check 14 CFR Part 135; or Current Military APART.
Class 1 or Class 2 FAA medical certificate valid for entire fire season.
Strong communication, decision‑making, teamwork, and EEO‑compliant aviation skills.
Interpersonal skills and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment
Annual DNR flight and oral evaluation by the Chief Pilot.
Annual pilot qualification and longline evaluation to Interagency practical test standards within 3 months of hire and at a minimum triennially.
Current and valid Airline Transport Pilot – helicopter or Commercial Pilot license – helicopter.
Current valid Class 1 or Class 2 FAA medical certificate for the entire fire season (March–November).
Complete IAT online courses within 30 days of hire and every 36 months thereafter.
Field work: uneven terrain, all‑weather, pre‑flight inspections, climb ladders, lift up to 45 lb.
Considerable travel within Washington and surrounding states.
Valid driver’s license with 2 years driving experience and no suspension or restriction.
Desired Qualifications
1,000 flight hours P/IC in UH‑1H.
50 hours longline/vertical reference pilot P/IC.
FAA helicopter instrument rating with 50 h P/IC instrument.
FAA certified flight instructor or instructor pilot qualifications.
Qualified interagency helicopter pilot for mountainous terrain, low‑level reconnaissance, and load operations.
Incident Command System qualifications, safety management system familiarity.
EEO Statement Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, veterans, and people with military status are encouraged to apply. Veterans may attach DD‑214 or other verification of military service.
Application Requirements
Apply online at www.careers.wa.gov.
Letter of interest describing qualifications.
Resume detailing experience and qualifications.
References (optional) – list of at least three professional references.
Copies of current FAA flight certificates (front and back).
FAA Airline Transport Pilot or Commercial Pilot license – helicopter.
FAA Class 1 or 2 medical certificate.
Last two pages of pilot logbook or official flight record.
Current flight review, FAA pilot proficiency check, or Military APART.
State driver’s license or US passport.
FAA Verification of Certificate Privileges within last 30 days.
Complete supplemental questions.
Optional Attachments
Flight instructor certificates.
FAA Remote Pilot Part 107 certificate (current).
USFS/DOI pilot card.
DNR pilot card.
Contact Information Rich Knoth – 360‑764‑6494 or rich.knoth@dnr.wa.gov. For accommodations or testing process, call 360‑522‑2500 or email DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. Washington Relay Service 7‑1‑1 or 1‑800‑833‑6384.
Department Information Department of Natural Resources – Wildland Fire Management Division – Aviation Section. Vision: Washington lands and waters thrive. Mission: Manage, sustain, protect health and productivity for present and future generations. Core values: Safety, public service, innovation, leadership, teamwork.
#J-18808-Ljbffr