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Aerial Firefighting Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Coulson Aviation

AME Structures Manager

Portland, OR · On-site

$21.50 - $27.25/hr

Coulson Aviation is a global aerial firefighting company that supports Emergency Service efforts through the delivery of specialized aircraft and highly trained team members. Coulson Aviation ...

Hillsboro Aviation

B205A1++ Fire/Utility Pilot

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$21.75 - $29.75/hr

Our missions include search and rescue, short-haul (human external cargo, natural disaster relief, construction support, aerial firefighting, natural resource surveys, film/photo/news, and heli ...

Hillsboro Aviation

Fleet Aircraft Mechanic

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$26.50 - $33.75/hr

Our missions include search and rescue, short haul (human external cargo, natural disaster relief, construction support, aerial firefighting, natural resource surveys, film/photo/news, and heli ...

Hillsboro Aviation

Airbus H145 Mechanic - Fleet

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$26.50 - $33.75/hr

Our missions include search and rescue, short-haul (human external cargo, natural disaster relief, construction support, aerial firefighting, natural resource surveys, film/photo/news, and heli ...

All JobsAerial Firefighting JobsAerial Firefighting Jobs in Portland, OR

Aerial Firefighting information

See Portland, OR salary details

$30.2K

$63.2K

$106K

How much do aerial firefighting jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for aerial firefighting in Portland, OR is $63,213.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,300.00 and $73,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Aerial Firefighting vs Helicopter Pilot?

AspectAerial FirefightingHelicopter Pilot
Required CertificationsCommercial Pilot License, Firefighting-specific trainingCommercial Pilot License, often with helicopter ratings
Work EnvironmentFire zones, remote areas, often during emergenciesVarious, including transport, surveillance, and firefighting support
Employer & Industry UsageFire departments, government agencies, firefighting contractorsAirlines, charter companies, government agencies, firefighting services

While both roles involve piloting helicopters, aerial firefighting focuses on using aircraft to combat wildfires, requiring specialized firefighting training. Helicopter pilots may work in diverse sectors, including transportation and surveillance, with less emphasis on firefighting-specific skills. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the industry.

What are aerial firefighting jobs?

Aerial firefighting jobs involve flying a plane or helicopter to extinguish wildfires, protect property, and save lives. Pilots fly as part of a crew and drop water or other fire retardants to contain the fire and minimize damage. Some aerial firefighters are “smokejumpers,” which means they parachute or rappel into wildfire areas to combat their spread. As an aerial firefighter, your responsibilities involve preserving woodlands and deserts while protecting the safety of residents and your crew, so these jobs are not for the faint of heart. You must be physically fit and able to endure stressful situations and harsh conditions for extended periods. Additionally, both roles require specialized training.

What is aerial firefighting?

Aerial firefighting is the use of aircraft to combat wildfires from the air. Specialized planes and helicopters drop water or fire retardant chemicals directly onto fires or in strategic locations to slow their spread. These aircraft can also be used for reconnaissance, mapping, and transporting firefighters or equipment to hard-to-reach areas. Aerial firefighting is often coordinated with ground crews to maximize effectiveness and ensure safety. This method is essential in managing large, fast-moving, or remote wildfires.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in aerial firefighting?

To thrive in aerial firefighting, you need advanced piloting skills, knowledge of fire behavior, and completion of specialized firefighting and aviation training. Experience with aircraft like helicopters or fixed-wing air tankers, FAA certifications, and proficiency in using GPS navigation and radio communication systems are typically required. Outstanding teamwork, decision-making under pressure, and situational awareness are crucial soft skills for this high-risk environment. These abilities are essential to ensure safety, effective wildfire suppression, and coordination with ground crews during complex emergency missions.

What are some of the biggest challenges faced by aerial firefighting crews during wildfire season?

Aerial firefighting crews often contend with unpredictable weather conditions, rapidly changing fire behavior, and challenging terrain that can make flying and water drops both risky and complex. Coordinating with ground teams is essential, as is maintaining constant communication to ensure safety and maximize effectiveness. Additionally, long hours and high-stress situations require strong teamwork and adaptability, making both physical fitness and mental resilience key components of success in this role.
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Aerial Firefighting jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aerial Firefighting job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,213 per year, or $30.4 per hour.

AME Structures Manager

Coulson Aviation

Portland, OR • On-site

$21.50 - $27.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description


Coulson Aviation is a global aerial firefighting company that supports Emergency Service efforts through the delivery of specialized aircraft and highly trained team members.

Coulson Aviation operates across the world with a growing fleet of aerial firefighting assets consisting of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. With our privately owned and operated fleet of Boeing 737 FIRELINERS™, Hercules C130, Citation and King Air, CH47D Chinooks, and Sikorsky S-61 fire support platforms, we provide first class, rapid response delivery during critical events of wildfire activity.

Due to the company’s continued growth, we are looking to add a Structures Aircraft Maintenance - Manager to our team. This is a hands-on working manager role. The successful candidate will be expected to lead assigned structures personnel while also performing aircraft structural maintenance, repair, inspection support, and modification work when operational needs require.

How you’ll contribute to the mission;

  • Supervise assigned structures personnel while remaining actively engaged in aircraft structural maintenance and repair work as required.
  • Perform hands-on structures work on aircraft, including repairs, modifications, inspections, layout, fabrication, drilling, riveting, sealing, corrosion repair, and other aircraft structural tasks as required by the work scope.
  • Interpreting technical data and ensuring that all work is carried out I.A.W approved data.
  • Researching repairs and ordering parts and tooling in preparation of maintenance work scope
  • Provide timely progress updates to the VP of Structures, DOM, and applicable maintenance leadership regarding work scope status, constraints, labor needs, schedule risk, material/tooling gaps, and recovery plans.
  • Coordinate with Engineering, Quality/Inspection, Crew Chiefs, and the VP of Structures to ensure structural repairs are supported by approved data, proper documentation, and required return-to-service signoffs.
  • Working with crew chiefs to ensure that applicable signoffs are made in logbooks and form 337 if required.
  • Plan, assign, and prioritize structures labor in coordination with Crew Chiefs, Maintenance Supervisors, the DOM, and VP of Structures to support aircraft schedules and operational priorities.
  • Any other duties as assigned by the VP or DOM USA.

What you bring to the Team;

  • Minimum 10 years in heavy maintenance
  • Demonstrated structures experience on large fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft; C-130, B737, CH-47, and/or S-61 experience strongly preferred.
  • Solid understanding of FAA and TCAA Regulations
  • Familiar with aircraft Structural Repair Manuals and appropriate sign offs
  • FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate preferred.
  • Ability to perform or support required maintenance record entries and return-to service documentation within company authorization limits.
  • Familiar with Corridor system preferred.
  • Ability to quote work scope and recognize project slip.

Technical Skills;

  • Strong aircraft structures background with demonstrated hands-on sheet metal, composite, corrosion repair, layout, fabrication, installation, and repair capability.
  • Hand hands-on structures support to field operations as required, including remote troubleshooting, repair planning, material/tooling coordination, and occasional travel when operationally necessary.
  • Communicate with crew chiefs on structures needs
  • Management of structural aspects of a work scope.
  • Ensure jobs are completed in a safe and cost-effective manner

Must be dependable, trustworthy, flexible with schedule, and willing to support urgent operational requirements, including overtime, weekend work, field support, and hands-on aircraft work when required. Be able to communicate both verbally and in writing to superiors and work in a team environment to accomplish all tasks required.

Compensation for this position will be competitive with market rates and based on experience.

We support diversity, equity, and a workplace that is free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to providing accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require accommodation through any element of the job application process, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.