FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION A

State of California; California; On-site; USD 124,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) in Sacramento County is seeking a Staff Chief Aviation Operations. This permanent, full-time role requires reporting to CAL FIRE with responsibilities tied to aviation operations oversight and departmental missions.

The position is in-office with a salary range of $11,093.00 to $14,360.00 per month and includes the formal benefits package typical of CAL FIRE employment. Final filing date is 11/6/2026.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications are defined by the FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION A classification.

Responsibilities

• Occasional travel for meetings and emergency incident activity may be required.

Job description

Job Posting: Staff Chief Aviation Operations

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

Job Code #: JC-536687

Position #: 542-068-1031-001

Working Title: Staff Chief Aviation Operations

Classification: FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION A

Salary Range: $11,093.00 - $14,360.00 per Month

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: Sacramento County

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Final Filing Date: 11/6/2026

Job Description and Duties

Please Note: Due to postal service delays, electronic submission of application is recommended.

Please see the Duty Statement link, found in the Additional Documents section, for more information.

Applicants are highly encouraged to complete a Recruitment Questionnaire, located at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HLYSH8V

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

• Occasional travel for meetings and emergency incident activity may be required.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION A

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-536687

Position #: 542-068-1031-001

Working Title: Staff Chief Aviation Operations

Classification: FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION A

Salary Range: $11,093.00 - $14,360.00 per Month

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: Sacramento County

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California’s fire department and resource management agency. The organization is comprised of nearly 14,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California.

When you join CAL FIRE, you join a family of employees that function as a team. You will build trust and friendship with your co-workers, as together you respond to emergencies and challenging situations. CAL FIRE provides employees with a variety of career choices and opportunities. CAL FIRE offers well-paying careers and opportunities for advancement. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!

Special Requirements

All job applicants must provide their employment history on the application form (State Application STD 678) rather than attaching a resume to the form, otherwise the application may be considered incomplete.

Do NOT include ANY confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined a candidate does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

The minimum qualifications can be found in the FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION ADMINISTRATOR classification specifications.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact: Brian Renner (000) - [e-mail]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact: Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator [phone] [e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This position may be designated as a Conflict of Interest position. The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) requires that employees in positions designated in CAL FIRE’s Conflict of Interest Code file a completed and signed Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) upon hire, and annually thereafter.

Filing a job application “within the time” shall mean: applications must be postmarked by the United States Postal Service (USPS) or depositing with a parcel delivery or courier service no later than the final filing date specified by the job vacancy announcement, provided that the parcel contains proof of a timely deposit with the parcel delivery or courier service or

• Date stamped at the appropriate office of the appointing power no later than the final filing date specified by the job vacancy announcement
• Electronically transmitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the final filing date specified on the job vacancy announcement.

For the purposes of determining whether an application has been filed within the time as set forth above, any dates printed on mobile barcodes or equivalent mobile print technology shall not be considered postmarks and, as such, are not acceptable proof of the date the application was filed.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.