DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

Address:  

2901 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85027

Salary: $25.8720 - $28.4592 Hourly 

Grade: 19

Closing Date:  Open Until Filled

The Wildland Fire Aircraft Dispatcher for the State of Arizona Dispatch Center is responsible for the daily operations of the aircraft functional area. These duties pertain to all aircraft, unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations, aviation support resources and overdue or downed aircraft associated with prescribed fire, wildfire, aviation hazmat, and incident medivac on Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management controlled lands and incidents as needed. The land area protected from wildland fire by this office encompasses a complex combination of State Trust lands and private lands through the State.

The Aircraft Dispatcher must maintain situational awareness on a statewide level as it pertains to local, state, military and federal fire aviation resources, i.e. location, status, qualification, special requirements/limitations. This situational awareness includes the US/Mexico border and Border Patrol resources. Assist Duty Officers in determining the best aviation resource for their needs. Coordinate with local, county, and federal dispatch centers, FAA air traffic controllers, and news media to ensure safe movement and interaction of aviation resources and airspace throughout the state of Arizona.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Monitors numerous aircraft on multiple incidents across various frequencies, maintaining clear and effective communication throughout. Track assigned aircraft to and from incidents. Deconflict airspace prior to launching of aircraft and make proper notifications.

• Keep multiple agencies informed of all ongoing aircraft operations and locations. Maintains aviation availability and departing response locations of aircraft.

• Shares information with assigned lead initial attack dispatcher and cooperates with other agency dispatch centers. Provides critical aircraft information to supervisor and makes recommendations concerning efficient use of available resources. Records and maintains communication logs.

• Maintains IT resource status and tracking systems and operates telecommunications and radio equipment. Inputs data into a number of fire related computer applications. Maintain current information of aircraft within Southwest Geographic Area in tracking logs and distribute to appropriate groups throughout the state.

• Collects, processes, collates and submits incident aircraft information to support fire operations. Processes and interprets weather information to pass on to aviation resources before and during operations.

• Organizes and reviews records of all orders placed or filled for completeness, and adherence to established operating procedures and ensures are given to aviation resources according to procedures.

• Responsible for maintaining and/or updating SOP’s, guides, plans and policies, as they relate to aviation. Assist the State Aviation Officer with policy updates and training of State, Military and contracted aviation resources.

• Participates as an Initial attack/Extended attack dispatcher during times of staff shortages or low to zero aircraft support efforts. Position will also rotate into Dispatch Duty Officer efforts as scheduled or assigned.

• May act in a lead dispatcher role and be assigned to oversee a specific area of the dispatch center or may be assigned to oversee a shift of dispatchers during a period of reduced fire activity.

• Drive on State business.

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Wildland fire suppression and prescribed fire strategies, tactics, methods, procedures, fire behavior and weather interactions.

• Fire management operations, dispatch procedures and resources (e.g., guidelines, initial attack, expanded dispatch, NIIMS Incident Command System terminology and resource qualification and capabilities).


• Fire suppression aviation operations including aircraft capabilities and limitations, flight planning, aviation safety, deconfliction of low level military training routes and special use airspace and procedures.


• Communication equipment, radio use, computer hardware and software applications used in all aspects of fire related dispatch.

Skills in:

• Utilizing computer hardware and specialized applications specific to fire aviation management and administration.

• Initial attack, expanded attack fire suppression dispatching.

• Wildland fire fighting dispatch and/or on the fire line experience in order to coordinate suppression, preparedness, prevention, and prescribed fire activities.

• Verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to:

• Recognize changing fire conditions such as changes in fuels, terrain, fire weather, fire behavior, resources availability and possible threats to life and property.

• Remain calm under urgent and frequently changing conditions.

• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with fellow dispatch center employees, other dispatch centers and with cooperators.

• Read topographical maps, aviation maps and aerial photos to determine incident location, hazards and airspace deconfliction.

• Obtain and document incident size-up information and brief the supervisor of incident status and anticipated needs.

• Obtain and maintain Initial attack and expanded dispatching qualifications.

• Effectively dispatch fire suppression and management resources.

• Adhere to State of Arizona and Department of Forestry and Fire Management Standards of Conduct, policies, procedures and practices.

• Drive on State business

National Interagency Incident Management System - Incident Command System (Red Card) qualifications: ACDP Aircraft Dispatcher; EDRC Expanded Dispatch Recorder; EDSD Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher; other wildland fire red card qualifications

Valid Arizona State Driver's License, NWCG Initial Attack Dispatcher (IADP) qualified upon hire.

Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program, learn more at hr.az.gov/family-leave-expansion).
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition reimbursement eligible after one year of employment

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).

Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Lisa Ross at lross@dffm.az.gov for assistance.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 771-1427. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.