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Forestry Pilot Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

Forestry Pilot information

What does a forestry pilot do?

A forestry pilot is a specialized aviator who operates aircraft in support of forestry operations such as aerial surveys, wildfire detection and suppression, mapping, and resource monitoring. They may fly small airplanes or helicopters over forests to help locate fires, drop water or fire retardant, and assist in reforestation efforts. Forestry pilots must have strong flying skills, knowledge of forestry management practices, and the ability to work in challenging and sometimes dangerous conditions. Their work is crucial for protecting forest resources and supporting environmental conservation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a forestry pilot, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Forestry Pilot, you need a commercial pilot's license with specialized training in low-level flying, aerial navigation, and experience in forestry or wildfire operations. Familiarity with GPS navigation systems, aerial mapping tools, and radio communications equipment is essential. Strong situational awareness, decision-making under pressure, and effective teamwork are vital soft skills in this role. These capabilities are crucial for ensuring safety, accurate operations, and effective coordination during aerial forestry missions and emergency responses.

What are some common challenges faced by forestry pilots during aerial operations?

Forestry pilots often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing weather conditions, low-altitude flying, and navigating over rugged or densely forested terrain. These factors require strong situational awareness and quick decision-making to ensure safety and mission effectiveness. Additionally, working closely with ground crews and adapting to various aerial tasks, such as wildfire suppression or surveying, are integral to the role and demand excellent communication skills.

What is the difference between Forestry Pilot vs Forest Ranger?

AspectForestry PilotForest Ranger
CredentialsCommercial pilot license, forestry knowledgeHigh school diploma, conservation training
Work EnvironmentAircraft, remote forest areasGround patrols, parks, forests
Employer & IndustryForestry companies, aviation servicesGovernment agencies, conservation organizations

Forestry Pilots primarily operate aircraft to monitor forests, while Forest Rangers work on land management and conservation on the ground. Both roles support forestry but differ in work environment and required skills.

How much do forestry pilots make?

Forestry pilots typically earn between $40,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer. They often operate specialized aircraft for tasks like aerial firefighting and forest management, requiring certifications such as a commercial pilot license and knowledge of forestry operations.

What are popular job titles related to Forestry Pilot jobs in Ohio?

For Forestry Pilot jobs in Ohio, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Forestry Pilot job openings in Ohio as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution.

Data Scientist - Innovation & Digital Factory

FirstEnergy

Akron, OH • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 18 days ago


FirstEnergy rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 73 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

35th of 53 rated energy and utility


Job description

FirstEnergy at a Glance

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,600 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

As a Data Scientist at FirstEnergy you will work with other data scientists and data engineers using machine learning, artificial intelligence, and statistical methods to answer critical questions and produce actionable insights for business units. A successful candidate will work on agile scrum squads and should be excited by digital enablement, innovation and new ideas, and have a passion for learning. The challenges FirstEnergy faces and the data that will help build solutions are physical, tangible, realities; voltages going across transformers, the soil our poles sit in, the proximity of our wires to trees. Applicants should be ready to challenge themselves to solve problems from data of varying type, quality, and source, so that our solutions have a meaningful impact on our customers and employees.

Our digital projects benefit the community by aiding in providing safe, reliable electricity to everyone:

  • Customer: create analytics to improve customer satisfaction along the customer journey for a lifetime as they move-in to a residence, pay their bill and move to new residences.
  • Transmission & Distribution: develop algorithms to detect asset failures, reduce outages and provide reliable electricity to customers. 
  • Smart Meter: provide customers with the electric usage they need to make smart decisions about their home as well as reduce threats and theft in the electric system.
  • Vegetation: Analyze geospatial data and imagery to predict, forecast, and aggregate information to support the efforts of forestry specialists to improve grid reliability.

Responsibilities include:

  • Develop Data Science products in an agile scrum squad, collaborating with Data Engineers, other Data Scientists and business stakeholders
    • Build and test machine learning algorithms, forecasting/predictive algorithms, and optimization models
    • Transform and model a variety of data such as tabular, text, streaming, geospatial and large volume
    • Perform hands-on text, quantitative, statistical, financial, and operational analysis
    • Deepen understanding of utilities structure and operations to answer the right question more effectively
    • Identify new data sources and evaluate emerging technologies for data discovery and model development
    • Collaborate with technical staff and peers to implement and deploy scalable data solutions
    • Provide thought leadership by researching best practices, conducting experiments, and collaborating with industry leaders 

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in quantitative discipline such as Computer Science, Machine Learning, Applied Statistics, Mathematics; Masters, PhD are beneficial 

  • Experience with machine learning models such as decision trees, random forests, and neural networks and evaluation metrics like F1 score and ROC AUC

  • Experience in Python programming language, familiarity with Apache Spark beneficial

  • Experience with linear regression modelling and other statistical techniques such as t-tests, confidence intervals

  • Experience in Agile/Scrum development with DevOps methodologies geared toward rapid prototyping and piloting of cloud solutions  

  • Good presentation and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex analytical concepts to people from other fields

  • Ability to guide other colleagues and lead research efforts in a cross-functional team

  • Experience in building positive relationships and working with peers cross-functionally, demonstrating teamwork and collaboration

  • Willingness to travel throughout organization and service territory and work extended hours, as required

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract.

Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.

Position Classification

Exempt

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team


What FirstEnergy employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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