May 24, 2026

Aviator - 20080980

Job Description

What we need:

We are seeking energetic, passionate people who enjoy the outdoors and want to play a key role for the position of Aviator within the Division of Wildlife headquartered at ODNR Central Office in Franklin County. The address is 2045 Morse Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229.

What you will do…

  • Serves as pilot-in-command and performs programmatic aviation activities (e.g., wildlife aerial survey and surveillance) statewide for the Division of Wildlife
  • Works with Aviation and Research Administrators to plan, coordinate, and conduct all fish, wildlife, and law enforcement missions requiring multiengine fixed wing aircraft and/or helicopters
  • Pilots fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft in support of agency operations
  • Maintains flight records and logbooks and performs post maintenance functional check flights
  • Plans, manages, and schedules cyclical and emergency maintenance for fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft


Starting hourly pay of $40.59/hr with multiple pay increases over your first 7.5 years of service, with an end salary of $59.70/hr
There may also be cost of living adjustments (COLA) applied. Longevity pay supplements begin after five (5) years of state service. For more details, refer to the OCSEA pay range schedule & longevity rates OCSEA Employees | Department of Administrative Services Why Work for the State of Ohio

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

  • Medical Coverage
  • Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
  • Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
  • Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
  • Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
  • Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
  • Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
Qualifications
Completion of undergraduate core program in aviation or related field of study AND Commercial pilots certificate with multi-engine & instrument ratings AND Current FAA class II Medical Certificate AND Commercial Pilot Rotorcraft, Helicopter rating & flight hours experience commensurate with helicopter ratings & flight hours experience assigned per approved Position Description on file.

  • Or equivalent of minimum class qualifications for employment noted above.

Job Skills: Aviation, Technical Skills: Wildlife, Communications, Professional Skills: Attention to Detail, Collaboration
Supplemental Information

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please ensure your online application clearly indicates how you meet minimum qualifications (MQs). Transcripts are required for all coursework, degrees or educational accomplishments claimed on the application. Applicants must submit a transcript (can be unofficial until point of selection) by the posting deadline (attach in the Additional Attachments section of the application submission Step 6). Should you have issues attaching, please email to: hr@dnr.ohio.gov. “See resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the work experience/education sections of the application. Applications that fail to demonstrate how they meet minimum qualifications will not be considered.

To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability please contact Mohammad Yakubu, EEO Regional/Program Administrator at 614-265-6992 or mohammad.yakubu@dnr.ohio.gov. Effective July 1, 2015 applicants must apply online for positions at all state agencies except the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD).

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

STATUS OF POSTED POSITIONS: Applicants can view the status of this position by logging into their Ohio Hiring Management System [OHMS] user profile at careers.ohio.gov, and selecting "My Profile".

NOTES: Bargaining unit applicants will be given consideration for applicable positions, pursuant to collective bargaining agreement. Selection devices, proficiency testing and/or assessments may be used to determine if an applicant meets and is proficient in the minimum qualifications for this position. If you are applying for the same classification within a six-month period, your previous score from the selection instrument (interview, proficiency test and/or assessment) may be carried forward for consideration. Please do not upload attachments that have an anomaly or are password protected.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTING: The final applicant selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis prior to an appointment to test for illegal drug use. The State will decline to extend a final offer of employment to any applicant with a verified positive test result. Also, an applicant with a positive test will not be considered for any position with the State of Ohio for a period of one year.

ADA Statement

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

ID

8bd1b0e4480dfc465f82ca85b3132eb5