CHIEF, AIR OPERATIONS, FIRE SERVICE - EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT

County of Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Los Angeles Fire Department seeks an Emergency Chief, Air Operations, Fire Service to oversee the aerial firefighting program and coordinate air operations with partner agencies during critical incidents. The role includes piloting aircraft in firefighting operations and directing air tanker activities.

Under an emergency order, initial appointments may be up to 90 days with potential for permanent employment, with responsibilities spanning supervision of flight and ground

Qualifications

• Three years’ experience as a helicopter pilot in fire suppression operations.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and supervises the Department's aerial fire fighting program.
• Coordinates the Department's air operations with that of other cooperating agencies.
• Pilots aircraft in fire fighting operations.
• Directs air tanker activities.
• Directs, supervises, and trains flight and ground support personnel.
• Ensures the proper movement, use, and servicing of all helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, equipment and supplies used in aerial fire fighting.
• Develops new or revises existing aerial fire fighting techniques and equipment.
• Prepares new or revised specifications for airborne fire fighting equipment.
• Advises departmental personnel on aircraft capabilities and limitations.
• Prepares new or revised existing departmental manuals and directives relating to the Department's air operations.
• Represents the Department at meetings and technical symposiums concerning the use of aircraft to combat fire.

Skills

Aerial firefighting operations

Leadership

Coordination with agencies

Education

FAA Commercial Pilot certificate – rotorcraft/helicopter

California Class C Driver License

Job description

Position Overview

The LA County Board of Supervisors has unanimously ratified a Proclamation of Local Emergency in response to the windstorms and wildfires, including the Palisades and Eaton Fires, that have devastated communities across the County. County of Los Angeles Fire Department is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Chief, Air Operations, Fire Service vacancy related to this unprecedented natural disaster. Under the emergency order, applicants may be hired for an initial period up to 90 days with opportunity for permanent employment.

Employment Details

• Type of Recruitment: Open Competitive – Fire Emergency
• Exam Number: 30215B-FR
• Initial appointment period: up to 90 days with opportunity for permanent employment

Essential Job Functions

• Plans, directs, and supervises the Department's aerial fire fighting program.
• Coordinates the Department's air operations with that of other cooperating agencies.
• Pilots aircraft in fire fighting operations.
• Directs air tanker activities.
• Directs, supervises, and trains flight and ground support personnel.
• Ensures the proper movement, use, and servicing of all helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, equipment and supplies used in aerial fire fighting.
• Develops new or revises existing aerial fire fighting techniques and equipment.
• Prepares new or revised specifications for airborne fire fighting equipment.
• Advises departmental personnel on aircraft capabilities and limitations.
• Prepares new or revised existing departmental manuals and directives relating to the Department's air operations.
• Represents the Department at meetings and technical symposiums concerning the use of aircraft to combat fire.

Minimum Requirements

Three years’ experience as a helicopter pilot in fire suppression operations.

License / Certificate Requirements

• A Commercial Pilot's certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with a rotorcraft-helicopter rating*
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Physical Class

Physical Class IV – Arduous: This class involves frequent heavy lifting over 25 pounds, often combined with bending, twisting, or working above ground on irregular surfaces. It includes those positions that occasionally demand extraordinary physical activity such as those in Safety positions.

Available Shift

Any Shift – Appointees must be willing to work any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Background Check

The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).

Social Security Number

Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

Anti‑Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI)

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The County of Los Angeles Fire Department is committed to promoting Anti‑Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst various groups of people. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Non‑Discrimination Statement

The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non‑discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law.

Testing Accommodations For Applicants

The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting.

Fair Chance

The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.

Employment Eligibility

Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.

Career PathFinder

Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at http://career-pathfinder.hr.lacounty.gov.

Veteran’s Credit

Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy, in all open competitive examinations (i.e., examinations open to everyone), the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran, who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions.

Contact Information

Department Contact Name: Fire Examination Section

Department Contact Phone: [phone]

Department Contact Email: [e-mail]

Analyst Contact Phone: [phone]

Analyst Contact Email: [e-mail]

Teletype Phone: [phone]

California Relay Services Phone: [phone]