DFPC WFMS: Chief of Aviation Maintenance

Full Job Description

THIS POSITION HAS A RESIDENCY WAIVER

A residency waiver has been granted for this position. Applications will be accepted from both Colorado residents and non-residents.

An eligibility list may be established with this recruitment and could be used to fill similar positions within the Colorado Department of Public Safety in the next 12 months.

Our Mission - Engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities.

Our Vision - Creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado.

Our Core Values - Unity, Honor, Service

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is dedicated to non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

At CDPS, our culture is driven by our commitment to creating a safer Colorado and guided by a public service focus. We strive to provide effective solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans.

We model a culture of collaboration, innovation, and growth for our employees. We maintain a professional and inclusive workplace.

Careers with a purpose:

If you are passionate about public safety and public service, and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, consider joining CDPS.

Our team at CDPS consists of exceptional individuals and is an environment where you can challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career.

We are committed to providing public safety services to our communities including safety on our roads, preparing for and mitigating environmental disasters such as floods and wildland fires, disaster recovery, combating crime, promoting school safety, and victim services.

Classification and Salary:
Program Management II
Anticipated Hiring Range: $8,241 - $11,250/month; $98,892- $135,000/year
Full Salary Range: $7,991 - $12,786/month; $95,892 - $153,432/year

Benefits:

We provide a wide range of benefits to our employees.

• Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents. We also offer short and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.

• Eligible employees receive Basic Life and AD&D insurance equal to their annual earnings subject to a minimum benefit of $50,000 and a maximum of $250,000. Basic Life and AD&D are provided by the State of Colorado at no cost to employees.

• The State of Colorado's Wellness Program, State of Health, is a no-cost, year-long program that supports an employee’s health and wellness goals. This program offers personalized health coaching, skill groups and more. Participants can earn a $20 per month health insurance premium discount.

• Through BenefitHub, State of Colorado employees have access to discounts, promotions and special programs from hundreds of retailers, restaurants, travel and entertainment venues throughout Colorado and across the country.

• State contribution into a Health Savings Account when enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan.

• Eligible employees have access to medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the State of Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI).

• Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.

• We offer excellent retirement benefits including mandatory PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans. For information on mandatory employee salary deferral (in lieu of contribution to Social Security), visit Colorado PERA for details.

• We provide generous time off including 11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leave and four annual wellness days.

• The Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) is available in every region of the state. It is our effort to support the well-being of employees and the workplace. EAPs provide short-term counseling, referrals and resources, as well as training and organizational development services.

• Tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.

• We offer Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits, please visit State of Colorado benefits.

Requirements

The mission of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property, resources, environment, and quality of life in Colorado.

DFPC’s vision is to be the Nation's premier state fire organization by acting with foresight, providing bold leadership, enhancing our partnerships, and exemplifying the highest level of professionalism in fire prevention and protection, while building a safe and supportive work environment for our employees.

The Division achieves this mission and vision through its four (4) Sections: Center of Excellence, Fire and Life Safety, Professional Qualifications and Training, and Wildland Fire Management.

Each of the four sections serve Colorado’s fire community in a different capacity- from training firefighters to technological advancements in public safety, responding to and managing wildfires to building code enforcement, DFPC is dedicated to serving and safeguarding the people of Colorado while protecting property, resources, environment and quality of life.

One of the Wildland Fire Management Section’s (WFMS) primary roles is to assist and support local agencies with a range of wildland fire management programs including administrative, technical, preparedness, planning, response, and prescribed fire and fuels functions.

Wildland fire management in Colorado is a cooperative, interagency partnership between local, county, state, tribal, and federal entities.

Wildland fire protection responsibilities on non-federal lands in Colorado follow a hierarchy of: local jurisdiction > county sheriff > and finally to the State of Colorado (DFPC).

WFMS plays a crucial role in coordinating with external partners and representing Colorado at both regional (multi-state) and national levels.

• This is a hybrid position - Candidates will work from DFPC offices and be in the field

• In-state travel and operation of a State vehicle will be required for this position, agency owned vehicles will be assigned to this position.

• Overnight travel will be required across the state.

The Chief of Aviation Maintenance is responsible for ensuring the safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance of maintenance operations for the state-owned aviation fleet.

This role is critical to maintaining the fleet’s airworthiness and mission readiness, which includes two S70i helicopters, two Bell 205++ helicopters, and two Pilatus PC-12 fixed-wing aircraft used for aerial firefighting and incident response.

The agency currently operates under a Government-Owned, Contractor-Managed (GO/CM) model for aircraft operations and maintenance.

Within this framework, the position leads the development of agency maintenance procedures in coordination with current contracted mechanics, and provides oversight of contractor maintenance practices and processes.

Responsibilities include managing aircraft parts inventory, budgeting and approvals, overseeing both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, and ensuring full compliance with all applicable state and federal aviation regulations.

• Fleet & Maintenance Oversight

  • Coordinates and oversees all planned and unplanned maintenance, repairs, inspections, and modifications for state owned FireHawk, Bell 205, other rotorcraft, and fixed wing aircraft.
  • Plans, monitors, and executes inspections, overhauls, repairs, and component replacements.
  • Oversees and supports contracted and state employees maintenance team(s), inspectors, and support staff; ensures aircraft maintenance activities are executed with the highest levels of safety, compliance, efficiency, and quality.
  • Develops and enforces standard operating procedures, maintenance policies, and quality control practices.
  • Develops and manages training programs for internal and external personnel assigned to maintain an aircraft to ensure team qualifications and regulatory compliance.
  • Ensure adequate inspection aids, special tools and equipment are available, inspected, calibrated and maintained in a serviceable condition.
  • Manage tool control and tool calibration program to ensure all tools and test equipment are inspected and maintained in a serviceable and, when applicable, in calibrated condition.
  • Assists with complex and specialized maintenance requirements.
  • Manages aircraft records, FAA Airworthiness Directives (AD’s) and manufacturer Service Bulletins (SB’s) compliance, and maintenance release procedures.
  • Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of aircraft maintenance logs and records.
  • Respond to Aircraft on Ground (AOG) situations and lead return-to-service actions quickly and safely.
  • Foster a safety-first, accountable, and collaborative culture within the maintenance division.

• Regulatory Compliance

  • Ensures compliance with FAR/FAA Part 133/135 and FAR/FAA part 145 air carrier certificates, CDPS/DFPC policies, and federal regulations
  • Serves as the primary point of contact with FAA inspectors, coordinating audits, surveillance, and corrective actions;
  • Ensures all maintenance activities are in full compliance with FAA regulations, company policies, and manufacturer requirements.
  • Maintain aircraft in accordance with approved maintenance programs and track time/life-limited components;
  • Responsible for correcting safety or compliance issues

• Collaborates closely with DFPC Aviation Branch Chief, DFPC Chief Pilot, DFPC MMA Unit chief, flight operators, DFPC Helicopter Operations Specialist (HOS), dispatch, and communicate planned and unplanned maintenance to ensure optimal aircraft availability.
• Manages AOG (Aircraft on Ground) situations efficiently and promptly.
• Works closely with flight operations, safety, and scheduling to align maintenance efforts with mission demands;
• Manages and trains internal and external personnel assigned to maintain an aircraft in safety and risk management programs;
• Plans and manages maintenance budgets, parts procurement, planned maintenance schedules, and parts inventory;
• Evaluates vendors, contractors, and overhaul facilities for cost-effective, safe, and high-quality services;
• Negotiates and executes applicable maintenance contracts and service agreements, including warranty programs;
• Ensures workforce qualifications, certifications, and training currency; coordinate recurrent OEM and FAA training;
• Plans long-term maintenance strategies to minimize downtime and reduce costs.

Record Keeping, Training, and Other Duties as assigned

• Ensure aircraft records, maintenance data, and flight data are maintained in accordance with FAA regulations and DFPC policies.
• Ensures aircraft and engine maintenance logs and maintenance records are maintained, screened and monitored for compliance with current regulations, manufacturer maintenance programs, airworthiness directives, and Division policies.
• Oversees maintenance management personnel training requirements and provides input on planning of all scheduled training.
• Ensure adequate inspection aids, special tools and equipment are available, inspected, calibrated and maintained in a serviceable condition.
• Ensure all maintenance personnel performing maintenance and inspections have adequate training and are appropriately qualified to perform the work which they have been assigned
• Conduct internal and external facility audits as necessary.
• Performs advanced administrative duties using computers, including data entry.
• Updates and interfaces with a computerized maintenance tracking program.
• Manages and maintains AAIP, MEL’s, and other FAA regulatory documentation as necessary.

DFPC personnel may be relieved of regular duties and assigned to wildfire and/or all-hazard incidents in a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), Incident Command System (ICS), or support position to perform incident management, firefighting, or emergency incident support activities.

When assigned to an emergency incident, the position will be: working outside of regular job duties; working under the operational control of the incident; and compensated per the current DFPC emergency and incident guidelines and procedures.




Qualifications

Required Minimum Qualifications and Experiences
This must be specifically documented in your application submission. Additional information submitted after the closing date of this announcement will not be considered in the review of your application. Please note, your application will not be considered if documentation to support this qualification is not provided.

• Current FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate required (please upload a copy of your certification with your application)
• Current FAA Inspection Authorization (IA) or ability to obtain within 60-days of hire (please upload a copy of your certification with your application)
• Nine (9) years of documented experience in rotorcraft helicopter and fixed-wing maintenance OR A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in rotorcraft helicopter and fixed-wing maintenance equal to nine (9) years.




Required Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to communicate effectively with varying levels of an organization.
• Computer proficiency with working knowledge of Google platform, Microsoft 365, Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and various industry standard inventory control and tracking software. Competency with internet navigation is also required.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to multi-task and work in a fast paced environment.



Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Ten (10) or more years documented experience in rotorcraft helicopter maintenance, with increasing program management, supervisory responsibility, and documented leadership skills and abilities.

  • Preference for candidates with experience with Black Hawk UH-60/S-70, Bell 205 and/or Pilatus PC-12 management

• Additional previous experience in rotor-wing maintenance.

• Previous experience in supervision, with emphasis on experience supervising multiple units,

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Maintenance, Engineering, or related field

• Documented experience with being a solution oriented leader, with an ability to take initiative; strong background in creating, implementations and improving polices and procedures.

• Prior military helicopter maintenance experience (especially Army UH-60) strongly preferred

• Prior wildland firefighting and/or fire aviation experience is preferred.

• Experience with interagency, cooperative fire management programs including, but not limited to operating plans, agreements, management of multi-jurisdiction fires, etc.

  • Experience with state-level interagency, cooperative wildfire management programs is preferred, including documented experience and relationships working with local fire departments and counties.

  • Demonstrated commitment to public service and community involvement.




Complete Applications Must Include the Following:

• A complete CDPS Application for announced vacancy (please submit online using the link in this announcement).

• A complete supplemental questionnaire (must submit online as a part of the application).

• A copy of your Current FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate required

• Detailed, chronological resume of experience.

Conditions of Employment


• Upon initial employment, individuals will be required to provide a complete training file to DFPC that contains all necessary qualification documentation (course certificates, position task books, personnel evaluations, and incident experience history) to demonstrate that NWCG and other requirements have been met.

• Position may be required to attain additional training and/or certifications within a specified period of time, per current DFPC qualifications and professional development Standard Operating Guidelines and Policies.

• Current valid driver's license at time of hire, and must obtain a Colorado-issued driver's license within 1 month of hire. Ability to operate motor vehicles and to travel extensively throughout the state in a variety of weather conditions.

• This position is a public safety officer as defined by 42 U.S.C. § 3796b Sec. 1204 (9).

• Must be willing to travel to wildfire incidents, severity assignments, and pre-position assignments throughout Colorado, and across the nation at times. Assignments may last for two weeks or longer.

• Must be familiar with and frequently use flammable liquids and solids in the performance of various prescribed fire and tactical firing tasks. This includes the preparation, implementation and storage of drip torch fuel, Aluma Gel, Phosphorus, and gunpowder.

• Applicants must be willing to be fingerprinted, successfully pass a polygraph, drug screen, and a medical physical exam as a condition of hire.

If applicable, the position must maintain the NWCG required fitness levels for the employee’s NWCG wildland fire qualifications throughout the employment period.

Required fitness levels will vary based on qualifications.

Actual qualifications and currency, including fitness levels, will vary based on supervisor input, employee’s professional development plan, and current agency needs.

Appeal RightsIf you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination.

Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging.

Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process.

The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb. A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb.

If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203.

Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

Additional Information

Disability Accommodation

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure equitable opportunity applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at: cdps_hr@state.co.us.

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them.

Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Colorado Department of Public Safety is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.

As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.




Recruitment Timeline Information and Important Notices


• Applications are considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. Therefore, additional information may not be solicited or accepted after your application has been received.

Closing Date: All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement.

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may proceed to the next step.

Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

Supplemental Question: Effective responses to Supplemental Questions will directly relate to your professional experience, career accomplishments, and views about organizational values and approaches, and how they relate specifically to this position and requirements as you understand them.

Answers generated by AI-tools will typically be unresponsive.

Transcripts: An unofficial copy of transcripts must be submitted at the time of application should education be used as qualification.

Transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service.

This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and must be included as part of your application materials.

Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report may prevent your application from moving forward in the selection process.

Military Veterans: If you are a military veteran you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Member 4 Copy, and VA disability letter if available/applicable at the time of application so we can determine if you are eligible for veteran's preference points.

Military personnel who are stationed outside of Colorado may be eligible for this position by submitting the completed DD-2058 "State of Legal Residence" form.

• Application Tips: For an overview of State of Colorado application process and application tips, please view this video.

• Resumes, Cover Letters, or other documents submitted will not be reviewed, assessed, or used in the initial stages of the comparative analysis (transcripts submitted to verify that the applicant meets either the education requirement or minimum qualification substitution are exempt from this).

Notifications: All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be sent via email to the email address listed on your application.

Include your current working email address on your application and check the email provided on your application frequently as you could receive time sensitive correspondence regarding this position.

We highly recommend that you set up your email to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.

• e-Verify: CDPS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

• Comparative Analysis Steps may include (dates are tentative and subject to change):

  • Structured application review by a panel of SMEs - April 17, 2026

  • Panel Interview - Week of April 20, 2026