Job Description

Job Summary

This position is a Special Project Worker (SPW) made to support our aviation team during military leave. This temporary role offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience in a position that closely mirrors full-time employment, with similar responsibilities and training.

While this is not currently a permanent position, we anticipate a Full-Time Employment opportunity will become available in the near future due to an upcoming retirement. Our goal is to transition the SPW into a permanent pilot position once it opens. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to establish a long-term career in public service aviation.

The STAR Flight Single Pilot Instrument Flight Rules (SPIFR) Captain position is responsible for the safe and efficient conduct of flight assignments in accordance with 14 CFR Part 135 during Helicopter Air Ambulance (HAA) operations. The STAR Flight SPIFR Captain will evaluate Visual Flight Rules (VFR) options and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) options for the completion of HAA flights as appropriate. As well, the STAR Flight SPIFR Captain will conduct Public Operations flights during the day, at night with the use of Night Vision Goggles (NVG), and under both Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions. Public Operation flights consist of Helicopter Search and Rescue utilizing a helicopter hoist, Aerial Firefighting, and Airborne Law Assist . The STAR Flight SPIFR Captain shall maintain the highest level of situational awareness, professionalism, and serve as the team leader for all flight operations including the proper conduct of Crew Resource Management (CRM). The STAR Flight SPIFR Captain will work collaboratively with medical team in the decision making process to promote a positive patient outcome.

*This position is Temporary with the potential of becoming a full-time opportunity. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is a job classification within the Public Safety/Emergency Management job family. This classification requires a flexible work schedule to meet the needs of the department. The incumbent must be available to respond for duty when emergencies arise within Travis County or the geographical area encompassing Central Texas. The incumbent must be prepared to conduct public operations flights during these emergencies under extremely stressful and difficult conditions. The incumbent must be available to work a rotating shift schedule consisting of 12 hour day and night shifts while conducting safe flight operations for the following flights: Airborne Wildland Fire Suppression, Search and Rescue (SAR), law safety assist, Helicopter Air Ambulance (HAA), flight training or any other assigned flights.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as a SPIFR Captain flying emergency and non-emergency flights to include:
• Flight preparation and planning for all flight operations;
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) IFR flight planning, briefing and filing;
• Safe and efficient flight conduct in day and night visual and instrument conditions;
• Safe and efficient flight conduct and landings at unimproved and improved landing sites;
• Proper use of all hand-held and aircraft electronic programs to conduct instrument flight;
• Computation and transmission of accurate weight and balance forms;
• Ensuring all navigation publications are current (paper or electronic).
• Maintains standby readiness while on-duty to ensure rapid response times in accordance with department policy.
• Maintains pilot proficiency as required by the FAA including:
• All requirements for instrument flight proficiency:
• Required bi-annual instrument approaches;
• Bi-annual check rides.
• Maintains pilot proficiency requirements in the conduct of day and night public operations flights to include airborne wildland fire suppression, helicopter hoist and NVG operations.
• Complies with FAA Regulations, Helicopter Operations Manual (HOM), Safety Management System Manual, FAA-approved Training Manual and all other Travis County and STAR Flight policies and procedures.
• Maintains pilot records.
• Conducts public relations activities.
• Develops and implements various types of aviation related training.
• Represents Travis County by attending community gatherings, seminars, conferences and professional association meetings.
• Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of departmental aviation policies and procedures.
• Promotes and maintains positive professional working relationships within the department.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience :

High School diploma or G.E.D. AND five (5) years of experience as a helicopter pilot in command (PIC) operated under Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 135;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

• FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate (Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) preferred)
• Instrument Rating in Rotorcraft-Helicopter
• FAA Class II Medical Certificate (or higher)
• 3,000 hours total flight time
• 2,000 hours Helicopter PIC
• 1,000 hours Helicopter turbine time
• 500 hours cross-country flight time
• 100 hours instrument time with 50 hours actual or simulated aircraft instrument time
• 100 hours of unaided night time
• Must meet the requirements of FAR Part 61.57, Recent flight experience: Pilot in command
• Meet all other FAR Part 135 requirements for PIC
• Able to conduct search and rescue missions using NVG's and Helicopter Rescue Hoist
• Meet physical ability/strength standards established Travis County STAR Flight
• Pass Drug and Alcohol pre-employment screening
• Subject to the FAA-mandated Anti-Drug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Knowledge of:

• Principles of helicopter operations including aerodynamics, aircraft limitations, emergency procedures, external loads, aerial fire suppression, aerial rescue, instrument flight, maintenance practices, FAR Parts 61, 91, 135 and National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) Part 830.
• Appropriate response to emergency situations.
• Policies, practices, procedures and terminology.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• State and Federal regulatory or administrative requirements and practices.
• Computer equipment including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and other programs.
• Business letter writing, grammar and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Meeting emergencies.
• Explaining complicated technical problems in simple non-technical language.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Effective verbal / written communication.

Ability to:

• Safely operate helicopters under adverse visual and instrument flight conditions.
• Work and manipulate programs in an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB).
• Maintain accurate logs.
• Read and comprehend technical publications.
• Communicate effectively.
• Work calmly, effectively and decisively in emergency situations.
• Reason and make sound judgment / decisions.
• Manage time well, multi-task and organize diverse activities.
• Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Work as a team member within a diverse organization.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees, elected officials, representatives of outside agencies, news media, emergency services professionals and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include meeting physical ability/strength standards outlined above. Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50-100 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions. Based on aircraft weight limitation pilots in these positions should maintain a maximum body weight of 220 pounds. Must be available to work in inclement weather. The incumbent will be subject to contact with dust, dangerous machinery, noise, fumes, potential harm, vibration, communicable diseases, and hazardous chemicals.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours:  Schedule varies.

Location: 7800 Old Manor Rd

Department:  STAR Flight

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required. 

Drug Test, Alcohol Test

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position

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