DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

Address:

Virtual Office

Salary: $29.6109 - $34.6500/hourly 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: February 16, 2026

This position serves as the statewide Air Attack Group Supervisor for aviation fire suppression resources. This position reports to the State Aviation Manager. The Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) coordinates incident airspace, manages incident air traffic, and is the link between ground personnel and incident aircraft. The ATGS is an airborne firefighter who coordinates, assigns, and evaluates the use of aerial resources in support of incident objectives. The ATGS supervises the Leadplane Pilot (LPIL), Aerial Supervision Module (ASM), and Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO) positions when activated. When assigned to wildland fire aviation operations, the ATGS reports to an Incident Commander (IC) on initial attack and the Operations Section Chief (OSC), Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD), or operational designee on extended attack and complex incidents (Type 1, 2, or 3). The ATGS works in the Air Operations functional area.

This position is available for remote work on a full-time basis within Arizona (including virtual office arrangements).

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, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serves as the statewide Air Attack Group Supervisor for aviation fire suppression resources. Coordinates incident airspace, manages incident air traffic, and is the link between ground personnel and incident aircraft. The ATGS is an airborne firefighter who coordinates, assigns, and evaluates the use of aerial resources in support of incident objectives.
• Provide for the safety and welfare of assigned resources. Identify and appropriately act on hazardous situations to incident aircraft. Submit accident/incident reports through established chain of command.
  
• Ensure aerial supervision readiness. Establish a common operating picture with supervisors and subordinates.
  Establish and communicate chain of command, reporting procedures, risk management processes, radio frequency management, and aviation operational strategy.
• Develop, organize, and presentation of training to agency and cooperators in the realm of aviation usage on wildland fire involving proper deployment, tactical use, and aviation supervision of aircraft.
  
• Ensure individual and pilot familiarity with the basic terms of the procurement agreement/contract and payment documents. Complete appropriate payment documents daily. Compile daily statistics and provide to appropriate supervisor. Complete, authorize, ensure timeliness and route as required AZ-DFFM Individual Time Reports, and Agency-specific forms.
  
• Ensure that ATGS aircraft meet requirements in the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505, and the pilot is qualified to perform the air tactical mission per agency standards. Ensure aircraft meets the mission parameters.
  
• Provide candid feedback regarding the effectiveness of aviation operations toward meeting incident objectives.
  
• Conduct debriefings with appropriate supervisor, personnel, and pilots and recommend any necessary corrective actions regarding airspace, documenting issues as needed.
• Conduct and/or participate in functional area briefings and After Action Reviews (AAR).
  
• Drive on State business
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

• Air attack Group Supervisor Specific Duties as described by NWCG and AZ- DFFM Standards.
  
• Interagency ordering and Aircraft
  
• Usage and cost reporting for Aircraft (both State and Federal).
  
• Tactical and strategic use of all aviation resources in fire suppression operations.
  
• Aviation safety both in and out of the fire environment.
  
• State and Federal Aviation contracts.
  
• 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.

Skills in:

• Clear and concise communications and management with aviation and ground firefighting forces.
  
• Train agency and cooperating agencies on aviation tactics and aerial supervision procedures.
  
• Monitor and mentor agency aircraft dispatch center managers and staff to ensure safe, effective and efficient aircraft response and performance on wildland fires.
  
• Coordinate with agency, interagency and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel in the use of Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR).
  
• Cultivate good working relationships.

Ability to:

• Create a safety first minded program that is focused on program goals.
  
• Initiate a program culture of trust and cooperation, both at the agency and interagency level.
  
• Foster a program culture of shared responsibility in execution of aviation activities statewide.
  
• Work effectively with agency and contractor personnel in stressful work environments.
  
• Actively engage with agency, airport and community leaders/management in problem solving and enhancement of facilities for agency use.
  
• Continue evolving a cost-effective program of aviation use for unique state goals and needs.
  
• Effectively plan for, and manage, aviation operations of all complexity levels.
  
• Drive on State Business.
  

NAFA, National Aerial Firefighting Academy

• RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR), CRM, Agency Approved Crew Resource Management Training, S-378, Aerial Supervision, RT-378, Air Tactical Group Supervisor Refresher, (Triennial)
  
  
• Valid Arizona Drivers 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).

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Selene Rojas at srojas@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 (623) 236-6664. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.