State of Maryland

A Natural Resources Pilot is the full performance level of work operating departmental aircraft in support of the law enforcement responsibilities of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police Force.  Employees in this classification are in command of the aircraft and its passengers while performing low-level surveillance flights for law enforcement, emergency and scientific observation purposes.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions but may provide direction to support personnel.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a technical superior.  Employees may be subject to call-in on a 24 hour basis.  Work is performed in confining aircraft quarters in day and night hours.  Flights are conducted throughout the State under a variety of weather conditions.  Employees must be physically able to move small aircraft independently using a hard tow bar.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Natural Resources Pilot is differentiated from the Natural Resources Police Pilot in that Natural Resources Pilot provides civilian support to the Natural Resources Police Force while the Natural Resources Police Pilot is a certified law enforcement officer.

Pilots fixed or rotor wing aircraft on low-level surveillance flights statewide in day and night hours for law enforcement, emergency and scientific observation purposes;

Follows standard Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) preflight procedures, such as obtaining weather briefings, determining appropriate weight distributions and filing flight plans;

Performs all preflight and postflight tasks and safety inspections required by the Department of Natural Resources Police Aircraft Operations Manual;

Operates aircraft navigation and communication equipment in accordance with FAA and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations and procedures;

Patrol areas of suspected illegal activities, including suspected drug operations, with a certified law enforcement officer on board who issues citations for violations of State or natural resources laws or notifies surfaces units to apprehend suspects;

Alerts surface law enforcement officers to questionable activities, maintains surveillance of suspects and takes aerial photographs for law enforcement cases;

Flies search and rescue missions for lost, missing or overdue boats and personnel as needed;

Completes required logs and flight records;

Performs basic maintenance on the aircraft and hangar;

Independently moves small aircraft using a hand tow bar;

May pilot aircraft on scheduled flights for administrative purposes;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of FAA and FCC regulations regarding commercial flights;

Knowledge of flight operations in the Maryland geographical area and the effects of weather conditions on those operations;

Skill in the operation of single engine, multi-engine and rotary wing aircraft in daylight and night hours;

Skill in operating and orbiting aircraft at low altitudes above fixed points while maintaining position;

Skill in maneuvering fixed wing aircraft in and out of unimproved landing sites and congested areas under day and night conditions;

Skill in the simultaneous operation of multiple radio channels;

Skill in navigating aircraft from topography maps, plotting positions over land and water, and directing surface units to specific sites;

Ability to react quickly and calmly during emergency situations;

Ability to plan and execute flights as directed by the supervisor using Visual and Instrument Flight Rules;

Ability to determine if weather conditions exceed pilot or aircraft capabilities;

Ability to work for long periods of in restricted cockpit area;

Ability to move small aircraft independently using a hand tow bar;

Ability to follow instructions and regulations and to compile required logs and records.

Education: High School diploma or G.E.D. certificate acceptable to the Maryland State Board of

Education. Experience: 1500 hours of total documented flight experience including: 500 hours rotor wing 500 hours pilot-in-command (fixed or rotor wing) 100 hours multi-engine fixed wing 100 hours instrument (actual, simulated or “hooded”) 100 hours low-level 50 hours night time

Employees in this classification will be required to possess: 

FAA commercial pilot license with fixed and rotor wing endorsement and instrument ratings;

Multi-engine fixed wing pilot license;

FCC license to operate Very High Frequency (VHF) communications equipment.

1. Candidates for this classification will be given a medical examination to determine their physical ability to perform job-related functions and must possess the minimum of a Second Class FAA flight physical.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to call-in 24 hours a day and, therefore, must provide the agency with a telephone number where they can be reached.

3. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit H, Public Safety and Security classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are exempt from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.