Aircraft Mechanic

Description: First Review of Applicants March 1st Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained. Work Unit Overview: The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Fire and Aviation Management Bureau provides support and direction for all fire management programs and activities on over 50 million acres of state, federal, and private forest and non-forest lands in accordance with state laws, policies, and procedures.Specifically, the Fire and Aviation Management Bureau protects, sustains, and improves the natural resources on state and private lands for the benefit of all Montanans through aggressive fire prevention, protection, and prescribed fire activities. The Air Operations Section provides professional aviation support for all department functions and the Reclamation Division of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).DNRC pilots operate single engine and multi-engine fixed wing aircraft and light and medium helicopters. The DNRC maintains and operates three fixed-wing airplanes, two light, and five medium helicopters. The Section supplies the aerial water drops for initial attack on fires, troop movements, and the aerial observation platform needed to gather information and intelligence on developing wildland fires. Job Overview: This position is an Aircraft Mechanic for the Air Operations Section and is responsible for modifying, maintaining, and repairing department aircraft, aircraft components, and aircraft support equipment to ensure airworthiness according to department policies and federal and state laws. Duties also include performing critical airworthiness inspections of department aircraft, aircraft components, and aircraft support equipment; conducting purchasing and maintaining inventories to ensure the department's air fleet is maintained in compliance with federal, state and department procurement and inventory tracking requirements; and conducting the procedures of the maintenance test flight program to ensure operational safety and legal compliance of department fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The position reports directly to the Director of Maintenance and does not supervisor other staff.Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): These summaries of job functions are not all-inclusive of all the duties the incumbent may be assigned. For a complete job description please contact HR below. A.Aircraft Design, Modification, Maintenance and Repair(50% of time)Assist in developing and implementing uniquely specialized aircraft parts, components, and maintenance programs to ensure that aircraft and related support equipment are fully operational, safe, and reliable to perform dangerous missions in conditions that are detrimental to unmodified, ordinary aircraft in accordance with department policies and state and federal laws. 1.Assist in researching, planning, designing, developing, modifying and installing new technology, enhancements, and specialized parts to revamp the department's ordinary single-engine fixed wing aircraft and light and medium helicopters to suit the unique, highly demanding air operations that aerial fire observation/suppression craft are subjected to. Implement modifications and technologies uniquely suited for specialized mission piloting techniques such as low altitude flying, vertical reference long line, instrument flying, mountain flying, and operating/landing aircraft in adverse conditions where meteorological conditions and fire behavior greatly impact aircraft performance. 2.Perform highly technical mechanical and engineering modifications to aircraft that must fly in hot, smoky, windy, low elevation and limited visibility conditions that ordinary pilots and their aircraft will not fly in. Assist the Lead Aircraft Mechanic and Maintenance Director with designing new components, support equipment, maintenance methods and approaches to ensure aircraft readiness and reliability by assessing and implementing programs, procedures and parts that meet safety, regulatory, mission, and financial requirements and factors. 3.Follow work plans, service schedules, and operational procedures for all departmental aircraft to ensure aircraft reliability and availability according to manufacturer's and FAA standards and guidelines and departmental requirements. Observe established maintenance schedules, practices and priorities to maintain and repair fixed and rotary wing aircraft, modify and reengineer aircraft to suit department needs and provide air operations maintenance coverage statewide when warranted by fire conditions. 4.Perform heavy maintenance on department aircraft as required by manufacturer's instructions, regulatory requirements, or as complex modification or repair needs arise. Perform large scale mission-necessary structural repairs, major component repairs or overhauls, complete re-wiring and other electrical and electronics systems installation and maintenance, vibration analysis, and extensive troubleshooting involving any and/or every part of each aircraft. Evaluate aircraft systems, operate specialized test equipment and tools according to industry established procedures and processes.Perform aircraft system alterations and modifications including creating specialized mission equipment and removing unneeded military weapons systems and radio and electronic equipment. This work requires interpretation of manufacturer and regulatory requirements and department needs to determine how to configure aircraft for DNRC mission needs while maintaining compliance with manufacturer and regulatory requirements. This sometimes includes manufacturing completely new designs and parts which are submitted to the FAA and when approved, these parts become the industry standard. 5.Perform preventative maintenance, repairs, and alterations on the department's single-engine fixed wing aircraft and light and medium helicopters to ensure reliability and compliance with applicable laws and policies. Examine aircraft, service reports, gather information from pilots and conduct appropriate research to determine what repairs or maintenance are necessary. Research FAA regulations, the aircraft manufacturer's instructions, military manuals and department manuals/requirements to determine the appropriate procedures and methods. Attain, repair or replace aircraft components based on incumbent's aircraft maintenance professional judgment with regards to the reliability and actual life of individual components. Perform timely repairs of discrepancies within specified routine, calendar maintenance to ensure aircraft availability and worthiness. Maintain current certification as a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-Certified Airframe and Powerplant Technician and USFS-Certified Helicopter Mechanic. B.Aircraft Inspection and Certification(25% of time)Assist in performing critical airworthiness inspections of department aircraft, aircraft components, and aircraft support equipment to provide the most efficient and safe maintenance program possible and to ensure compliance with FAA regulations, State of Montana air operation policies, and manufacturer and department requirements. 1.Follow inspection protocols for fixed and rotary wing aircraft, aircraft components, and support equipment to ensure proper evaluation criteria is used to determine airworthiness, safety and compliance. Research FAA laws, policies and operating procedures; state air operations policies; manufacturer's specifications and maintenance protocols; etc. and determine their applicability to DNRC air operations. This includes setting the industry inspection standard for some revamped original designs when entire wiring systems and structural overhaulsare made to ensure aircraft can handle the unique demands firefighting operations (flying low carrying a great deal of water weight in hot, windy and smoky conditions.). Adhere to inspection/certification priorities set by the Lead Aircraft Mechanic and Maintenance Supervisor. 2.Assist in conducting trend analysis through review of maintenance records, documenting and reviewing actual component life-spans compared to allowed life-spans, and identifying recurring repairs or parts needed maintenance, etc. Determine the nature of relationships among maintenance requirements, DNRC utilization, manufacturer's recommendations, etc. to develop solutions and plans to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the DNRC maintenance program. 3.Maintain and monitor the in-house designed, internal database that tracks every important aircraft part to ensure proper documentation and performance of work done; to assist management in authorizing the department's aircraft, aircraft components and support equipment return to service after maintenance; and to track preventative maintenance and inspections. Certify and document work performed including the appropriate record entry, signature and certificate number. Provide justification for approvals and assume responsibility for all work completed. 4.Review and follow established schedules and priorities for 100 hour, progressive, and calendar inspections to meet department needs in accordance with FAA guidelines, FAA, Agriculture USFS, and state laws, policies, and operating procedures to ensure airworthiness. 5.Review individual aircraft maintenance status records to identify inspections that are due, components that are due for an overhaul, and time/life limited components that have reached their service limit. Notify Air Operations and other affected personnel of inspection and replacement requirements. 6.Perform detailed and comprehensive inspections of aircraft, aircraft components and related support equipment through a variety of visual, tactile and electronic inspection methods to determine airworthiness and compliance with legal and manufacturer requirements. C.Purchasing and Inventory(10% of time)Perform section procurement and inventory tasks to maintain adequate supplies, equipment and materials for the department's air fleet in compliance with federal, state and department procurement and inventory tracking requirements. 1.Maintain millions of dollars worth of complex, intricate and sensitive aircraft parts that must be tracked, procured, often modified to suit special needs, and maintained within state and FEPP (Federal Excess Personal Property Program) requirements. Implement short- and long-range inventory acquisition and management plans to maintain aircraft preparedness and functionality needed to carry out the agency mission. 2.Assist in monitoring aircraft maintenance and repair trends and technological developments to ensure the agency remains contemporary with current practices and requirements. Assist in analyzing flight safety issues and bulletins, manufacturer's data and regulatory requirements to assess their implications on the DNRC air fleet and determine necessary modifications to the sections procurement and inventory management activities. D.Maintenance Test Flight Program(10 % of time)Conduct the procedures of the maintenance test flight program to ensure safety, reliability, operability and legal compliance of department fixed and rotary wing aircraft according to applicable policies, rules and laws. 1.Inspect and examine aircraft prior to test flights to ensure all required maintenance and repairs were performed appropriately. Review manufacture specifications, work orders and other documentation and interview pilots and technicians to determine appropriate test parameters. Plan test procedures according to guidelines and requirements to ensure all affected components are tested to ensure reliability and compliance with FAA and state regulations regarding flight operations and aircraft operating parameters. 2.Perform specialized test procedures including engine vibration checks, main and tail rotor vibration checks and flight maneuvers. Perform mathematical calculations and make adjustments to aircraft components to bring specifications within tolerances. Operate sensitive balance equipment to test aircraft rotor systems. What are some benefits you can expect? Health InsuranceRetirementPaid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays Application Materials Required for this Position Are: State of Montana Application Resume Cover Letter If you are interested in a complete job description please contact Julie at julie.smith@mt.gov. Special Information:Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.QualificationsMinimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):The required knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited manufacturer's or trade school focusing on aviation technology; and two to three (2-3) years relevantexperience. The position requires the following certifications:-FAA-Certified Airframe and Powerplant Technician-FAA Certified Inspection Authorization (preferred)Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:This position requires knowledge of the principles and practices of fixed and rotary wing flight; aircraft maintenance and inspection; of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance; and aircraft test program practices and procedures. The position requires knowledge of advanced fixed and rotary wing aircraft maintenance and repair methods and specifications; DNRC aviation program and resources; aviation procurement specifications and policies; FAA, Agriculture USFS, and state laws, policies, and operating procedures; the use of aircraft and aviation equipment in fire and forest management; specialized supply and equipment procurement processes; special knowledge of Bell UH-1 and 206 series helicopters; the U.S. Army helicopter maintenance program; and the effect/wear and tear on aircraft of specialized mission piloting techniques such as low altitude flying, vertical reference long line, instrument flying, mountain flying, and landing aircraft in adverse conditions; meteorological conditions and fire behavior and their impact on aviation. The position requires skill in discerning potential damage or wear to critical components; performing detailed inspections; organizing and reviewing work orders to determine priorities; troubleshooting maintenance malfunctions; and the operation of specialized aircraft and aircraft component testing equipment. This position requires the ability to make quick and sound decisions regarding airworthiness that directly impact human safety; assess complex issues affecting all facets of the repair and safe operation of assigned aircraft; communicating effectively, implementing new technology and methods on a statewide basis; develop and organize procedures; and quickly and accurately making safety assessments. SPECIAL INFORMATION: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.ELIGIBILITY TO WORK: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver's license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card".