Address:  

1110 W. Washington St., Suite 500
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $51,625 - $75,750 Annually 

Grade: 23

Closing Date:   October 3, 2024

This position serves as the State Aviation Manager for fire suppression aviation resources. The primary purpose of this position is aviation program readiness, response and coordination with multiple agencies in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner consistent with all state and federal protocol. The position serves as the technical trainer and advisor to the DFFM aviation program, fire management staff and Arizona Dispatch Center (ADC) management. As program manager overseeing the Fixed Wing Coordinator, Helicopter Coordinator and the UAS Coordinator (Aviation Specialist Pilot), will coordinate the appropriate fire aviation bases across the state and coordinate budgets with the fire program and DFFM accounting branch. Serves on various interagency aviation committees.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, shall be performed within Arizona.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Program development and management including direct supervision of employees, record keeping, approval of subordinates payroll, travel and purchasing.

• Identify facilities statewide that may be utilized to support program needs; Stay abreast of policy and guideline changes and their impacts on the state aviation program.

• Development, organization, and presentation of training to agency and cooperators in the realm of aviation usage on wildland fire involving proper deployment and tactical usage of aircraft, proper use of protective equipment.

• Manages the writing and administering contracts for Aviation assets for use in fire suppression and other tactical operations; manages contracts for fire retardant and suppressant materials, procurement, storage, and disposal; agreements for use of facilities as aviation bases to include operations, safety, and haz-mat concerns.

• Coordination with interagency partners at all levels of government, coordinate with military flight controllers to deconflict airspace in the area of wildland fires and military operational areas.

• Serve as State representative on interagency committees dealing with aviation issues.

• Drive on State business.

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Initial attack and extended attack fire suppression operations
• Interagency ordering and usage of Aircraft
• Usage and cost reporting for Aircraft (both State and Federal)
• Tactical and strategic use of Rotary wing, Single Engine Air Tankers and other aircraft in fire suppression operations
• Aviation safety both in and out of the fire environment
• Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) Exclusive Use and On-Call Contracts; State and Federal Contracts, including (but not limited to) emergency equipment rental agreements and retardant
• Wildland fire chemical ordering and storage, field use and reporting mechanisms for sensitive area usage and spillage
• Accident and near-miss reporting for fire aviation tracking of trends through SAFECOM network
• All appropriate agency and interagency manuals, handbooks, guides and operation agreements
• Leadership and supervision practices

Skills in:

• Effectively plan for and manage aviation operations of all complexity levels
• Coordinating with airport managers and/or city representatives to establish Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for use of facilities as Aviation bases to include operations, safety and haz-mat concerns and needs
• Coordinating with Federal agency and other aviation officers/managers in planning for and activating aerial fire suppression responses
• Training and managing an employment force of seasonal and other agency detailed SEMGs each year for adequate staffing at all SEAT bases
• Monitoring and mentoring agency aircraft dispatch center managers and staff to ensure safe, effective and timely aircraft response to wildland fires
• Coordinating with agency, interagency and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel in the use of Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)
• Managing and supervising subordinate staff

Ability to:

• Create a safety first minded program that is focused on program goals
• Initiate and foster a program and culture of trust and cooperation at both state and federal levels with shared responsibility in execution of aviation activities statewide
• Establish and maintain good working relationships between contractor and agency personnel
• Delegate appropriately to base managers and contractor personnel
• Be proactive in anticipating needs of both base and contractor personnel
• Identify state-wide airports that meet program goals and needs
• Actively engage with agency, airport and community leaders/management in problem solving and enhancement of facilities for agency use
• Work constructively with agency and federal finance sections
• Continue evolving a cost-effective program of aviation use for unique state goals and needs
• Manage, train and supervise staff
• Work long hours and on weekends as needed
• Drive on State business

NWCG Red Card qualified as: Single Engine Air Tanker Coordinator (SECO), Air Tanker Base Manager (ATBM), Mixmaster (MXMS), Ramp Manager (RAMP), Helicopter Manager (HEMG), Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2), Air Operation Branch Director (AOBD)

A valid Arizona Driver's License.

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).

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

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

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

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.