Employees in this class make critical decisions involving rapidly varying flight conditions, which require immediate and correct analysis and decisions. Employees have regular telephone contact with FAA flight information and weather specialists to determine weather conditions for the planned route of flight and to file flight plans. They have regular telephone contact and meet occasionally with other Department employees to confirmthe routing, destinations, and time requirements of scheduled flights. Employees in this class meet occasionally with aircraft maintenance personnel to monitor maintenance being performed on the Department aircraft. Employees occasionally have telephone contact or occasionally meet with commercial aircraft contractors to arrange air taxi flights, or to order aircraft to be used for fire suppression.
Employees accomplish flight assignments with considerable independence.
Other work is reviewed on a daily or weekly basis. Employees in this class follow Federal Aviation Regulations, to ensure the safe operation of aircraft, and Department directives and policies. This includes the willingness to work a flexible schedule, to fly during any hour of the day or night, and to work occasional overtime. This also includes the willingness to work outdoors during a variety of weather conditions. Extensive knowledge of aircraft navigation and communications procedures.