Helicopter Pilot

Position Summary

The Helicopter Pilot operates department-owned turbine helicopters in government and utility operations supporting transportation, security, external-load, power-line patrol, surveillance, and other specialized missions. Operations include rooftop landings, mountain flying, low- and high-altitude environments, wire environments, and flights in varying weather conditions during daylight and nighttime hours.

Schedule

• Full-Time.
• Daylight and nighttime operations.
• May be required to work out of town for varying lengths of time.

Responsibilities

• Operate department-owned turbine helicopters.
• Conduct utility, security, and transportation missions.
• Transport external loads.
• Conduct rooftop landings and takeoffs.
• Operate in remote mountain, desert, wire, and power-line patrol environments.
• Conduct operations in varying weather conditions during daylight and nighttime hours.

Requirements

• Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter and Instrument ratings.
• Current First Class Medical or Second Class Medical.
• 3,000 Helicopter PIC.
• 1,500 Turbine Helicopter PIC.
• 50 Turbine Helicopter PIC within the previous 12 months.
• 50 PIC demonstrating vertical reference proficiency.
• 300 PIC at elevations above 5,000 feet MSL involving takeoffs and landings.
• Three years of PIC experience supporting the utility industry OR three years of low-level flight activity involving survey, photo, seismic, or firefighting operations in single-engine turbine helicopters in mountainous terrain.
• Valid California Class A or B driver’s license required at appointment.
• Valid California commercial driver’s license with tanker and hazardous materials endorsements required and maintained prior to appointment.
• Logbook records must be provided for review prior to appointment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Flight Instructor ratings.
• Airbus H125 experience.
• Bell 429 experience.
• Night Vision Goggle (NVG) experience.
• Additional aviation ratings.

Benefits

• Not Specified.

How to Apply

• Applications must be submitted online.
• Applicants must specify flight hours for all required experience categories in the Work Experience section of the application.
• Copies of the last two pages of the applicant’s logbook and current pilot and medical certificates must be attached to the online application or submitted within seven calendar days following the online application.

Application Deadline

• October 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.