Forestry Fire Pilot

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE); California (MO); On-site; USD 89,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is seeking a Forestry Fire Pilot to operate helicopters as part of the Alma Helitack Base team. The position requires extensive rotorcraft flight experience and current FAA certifications to support firefighting and resource management missions in Santa Clara County.

Candidates must meet stringent flight-hour and medical requirements and be willing to work in an in-office, field-based environment at CAL FIRE's Santa Clara Unit

Qualifications

• Incumbent must possess a valid FAA Commercial Airman Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter rating.
• Incumbent must possess a valid and current Class II Airman's Medical Certificate issued by an FAA medical examiner.
• Incumbent must possess a valid driver's license of the appropriate class issued by the DMV.
• Applicants must have logged at least 2,000 hours of pilot-in-command time flying helicopters.

Skills

Pilot-in-command hours

Helicopter flight hours

Education

FAA Commercial Airman Certificate - rotorcraft

Tools

FAA Class II Medical Certificate

Job description

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.

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.

Position Details

Job Code #

JC-527899

Position #(s)

542-116-1046-VAR

Working Title

Forestry Fire Pilot

Classification

FORESTRY FIRE PILOT

Salary

$7,948.00 - $10,488.00

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

# of Positions

Multiple

Work Location

Santa Clara County

Telework

In Office

Job Type

Permanent, Full Time

Facility

Santa Clara Unit

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. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!

Department Website: https://www.fire.ca.gov/

Job Description And Duties

For questions related to the duties of the positions, please contact Battalion Chief Sean Ketchum by phone at [phone] or by email at [e-mail].

These positions will be located at the Alma Helitack Base in Los Gatos, CA.

Eligibility Information

• Candidates with SROA/Surplus eligibility will be given priority, if any. If none, then;
• Candidate must have taken and passed the examination for this classification and be active on a current certified eligibility list; or,
• Candidate must be eligible to transfer; or,
• Candidate must be eligible to reinstate.

Special Requirements

• Incumbent must possess a valid Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) Commercial Airman Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter rating or a valid FAA issued Airline Transport Pilot's Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter rating.
• Incumbent must possess a valid and current Class II Airman's Medical Certificate issued by an FAA authorized medical examiner.
• Incumbent must possess a valid driver's license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Applicants must have logged at least 2,000 hours of pilot-in-command time flying helicopters. Of these, candidates must have all of the required flight hours in qualifying conditions or assignments as listed in the class specifications.

CAL FIRE pilots must have the ability to work any required shift and remain on duty 24 hours a day with regulated maximum flight time and mandated uninterrupted sleep cycles per 24-hour period.

Final Filing Date

Final Filing Date: 9/9/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).