Helicopter Pilot jobs in Missoula, MT

CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES
OF THE FLATHEAD NATION

PO BOX 278
PABLO MT 59855

406.675.2700
PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT FAX: 406.226.2562

CSKT Website: csktribes.org
E-mail: cory.clairmont@cskt.org

****V A C A N C Y A N N O U N C E M E N T****

TITLE: Fire Helicopter Squad Leader (FHSL)
Furloughable

LOCATION: Forestry-Division of Fire

SALARY: $19.29 per hour including benefits



CLOSING DATE: Thursday, April 27, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy and is
subject to random alcohol and drug testing. The successful applicant if not already employed by the
Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test and will be required to serve a six-month probationary period.

DUTIES:
Fire Suppression:

• Performs and leads three or more squad members in initial attack and extended attack wildland suppression operations which

includes: direct/indirect fireline construction, finding hot spots, backfiring/burnout, water delivery systems and application,

tree and brush felling and removal, blackline and mop-up operations, gridding and patrol. Distributes and controls work

assignments among employees; assures timely accomplishment of assigned tasks; maintains work notes and records; makes

reports on work accomplishments; ensures that the work is carried out safely; reports on performance problems and issues.

• Serves as Type 5 Incident Commander during initial attack of wildland fires. Analyzes fire behavior, determines fire cause,

determines suppression tactics, directs squad members, communicates with dispatch, and completes fire reports. May serve in

other fireline and helicopter management positions per red card qualifications.

Instruction:

• Inventories, services and maintains firefighting tools and equipment, support vehicles and helicopter support equipment.

Monitors and records pilot flight and duty time, aircraft flight time, fuel truck activity, squad member time etc.

• Instructs squad members in specific tasks and techniques and conducts on-the-job training. Trains by demonstrating skill in use

of and power tools, hoses, chemicals, and hydraulic systems. Observes, corrects and evaluates squad skills. Explains fire

behavior characteristics, safety regulations, and work procedures.

• Instructs and directs technicians in wildfire fighting and fire program support operations. Makes work assignments; schedules

personnel, provides instructions or training; monitors work in progress; insures equipment and materials are available; resolves

problems encountered; and reports to the supervisor about the work, personnel, and problems encountered.

• May be required to supervise the squad in the absence of the supervisor.

Helicopter Operations:

• Performs the loading/unloading of helicopters with firefighting personnel and equipment. Ensures that load manifests and load

calculations are accurate to meet helicopter weight limitations and safety guidelines. Gives oral briefings to pilots. Passengers

and other personnel outlining general mission parameters/conditions and safety considerations. Prepares external helicopter

loads, water buckets, and rigging; performs ground and hover hook-ups to the helicopter.

• Constructs helicopter landing areas from natural openings and vegetation to required safety specifications. When serving as

Helispot Manager, provides wind indicators, fire extinguishers, landing are markers, fueling areas, helicopter marshalling,

personnel and cargo organization, pilot and passenger briefings. Communicates with pilots through radio and/or hand signals.

• May serve as aerial observer in the helicopter providing fire detection, fire locating, fire size-up, directing ground forces to the

fire, ordering additional resources and communicating with fire dispatch on mission status.

Additional Duties:

• May research fire literature and provide applicable information for fire management programs. Implements fire effects

monitoring system by establishing and monitoring index plots in a variety of fuel/vegetation types, and training other to do the

same. Enters and trains other in entry of data into computer analysis programs.

• May assist resource professionals in field survey efforts such as archeology, vegetation surveys, resource inventories and data

analysis. May assist in identification of grasses, herbs, shrubs, and trees. Assists in the data collection for fuels projects.

• May use computer models to store, update, and analyze fire behavior and other monitoring data.

• May assist in all risk operations as trained and qualified. May perform hazard fuel reduction projects, which entail thinning and

cutting vegetation through mechanical means, e.g., chainsaw, etc.

• May perform project work and lead other workers in the same type of work which may include, cleaning outdoor recreational

facilities; mowing grass and trimming shrubs; and performing trail maintenance and building maintenance duties, etc.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (AS REFLECTED ON THE TRIBAL EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION)

• Incumbent must possess a High School Diploma (or equivalent)

• The incumbent will be required to regularly operate a government owned or leased vehicle or equipment in the performance of

his/her duties. The incumbent must possess a valid state driver’s license and meet the requirements of the BIA Motor Vehicle

Operation Policy.

• This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Department of the Interior Drug-Free Workplace Program. The employee

is responsible for keeping oneself drug-free, for demonstrating knowledge of agency drug abuse policy and procedures. Must

be aware and alert to the symptoms and signs of drug abuse and change in behavior; reports appearances of unusual action to

responsible official. Encourages peer discussion groups and outreach to available resources; as appropriate, suggests to the

supervisor improvements in the workplace to enhance a drug-free environment, including willingness to help bring out positive

change.

• Successfully attained Intermediate Fire Behavior (S-290).

• Must meet the Interagency Wildland firefighter Medical Standards for arduous duty wildland firefighting.

• Must attain and maintain the prerequisite physical stamina and strength needed to perform rigorous duties and mist pass the

Work Capacity Test at the arduous level annually.

• This position requires frequent travel.

• Incumbent must have held or currently hold all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)

o Primary Core Qualification: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1)
o BIA Exclusive Use Position Qualification: Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5)
o BIA Exclusive Use Position Qualification: Helicopter Crewmember (HECM)
o Additional Required Qualification: Faller 2 (FAL2)
o Additional Required Training: S-290, “Intermediate Fire Behavior”

**Request a copy of the position description for full details**

SUBMIT:

1. Completed Tribal employment application. (Resumes may be submitted but may not replace or supplement the

official tribal application).

2. Certified copies of relevant academic transcripts and training certificates.

3. Proof of a valid driver’s license.
4. Tribal enrollment verification if enrolled in a federally recognized other than CSKT.
5. If you are claiming Veterans Preference, a copy of the DD214 must be submitted with the application.

SUBMIT ALL OF THE ABOVE TO: Personnel Office, P.O. Box 278, Pablo MT 59855, telephone 406.675.2700, ext.

1040.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact: Todd Couture, Helicopter Foreman @ 406.675.2700, ext. 6455.