FORESTRY FIRE PILOT

State of California; California (MO); On-site; USD 89,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary $7,948 - $10,488 per month

Extended Duty Week Compensation

Annual Compensation $130,489 – $172, ?

Job summary

State of California's CAL FIRE is seeking a Forestry Fire Pilot in San Benito County. The position is permanent, full time, with telework listed as In Office, and offers a base salary of $7,948 to $10,488 per month plus additional pay items.

Candidates must hold FAA rotorcraft-rated certificates and a current Class II Airman's Medical Certificate, and must meet the stated qualification requirements. Applications require submitting the standard state forms and supporting documents by the posted

Qualifications

• Possession of a valid FAA Commercial Airman Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter rating.
• Possession of a valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot's Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter rating.
• Valid Class II Airman's Medical Certificate issued by an FAA-authorized examiner.

Education

FAA Commercial Airman Certificate (rotorcraft-helicopter)

FAA Airline Transport Pilot's Certificate (rotorcraft-helicopter)

Class II Airman's Medical Certificate

Job description

Job Posting: Forestry Fire Pilot

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

Salary: $7,948.00 - $10,488.00 per Month

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

Final Filing Date: 9/18/2026

Job Description and Duties

Please see the attached duty statement for details on this position.

Contact Battalion Chief Matthew Lane at [phone] or by email at [e-mail] for questions related to the duties of the position.

Candidate may be selected by resume review.

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

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• FORESTRY FIRE PILOT

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code: JC-531321

Position#: 542-419-1046-XXX

Working Title: Forestry Fire Pilot

Classification: FORESTRY FIRE PILOT, $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: 2

Work Location: San Benito County

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Facility: San Benito-Monterey 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 12,000 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 challenging career with CAL FIRE!

Special Requirements

Possession of a valid Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) Commercial Airman Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter rating or a valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot's Certificate with a rotorcraft- helicopter rating. Possession of a valid and current Class II Airman's Medical Certificate issued by an FAA authorized medical examiner. Valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Benefits

• $7,948 - $10,488 Base Salary (paid every month)
• $2,701 - $3,564 Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)
• $130,489 – $172,188 Annual Compensation
• In addition to the above pay items, employees are eligible for medical benefits (health, dental, vision) and may be eligible for other pay differentials.

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

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.

Contact Information

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

Hiring Unit Contact: Hiring Coordinator [phone]

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.

Required Documentation

You must submit a completed State Application (STD. 678) [please include WORKING TITLE and POS#], Resume, Copy of a valid Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) Commercial Airman Certificate with rotocraft-helicopter rating or a valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot's Certificate with a rotorcraft-helicopter rating, Copy of a valid and current Class II Airman's Medical Certificate, Official Flight Record indicating at least 50 hours as Pilot in Command in Helicopters in the past year, Valid Driver's License of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, and Authorization to Release Information Form (PO-299).

Submit the required documents to the following address: CAL FIRE Southern Region Hiring, POS#: 542-419-1046-XXX, 1234 E. Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93710

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other - Authorization to Release Information Form (PO-299): https://www.fire.ca.gov/-/media/D817B8E27D8049C3BC35297686467FB9
• Other - Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) Commercial Airman Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter rating or a valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot's Certificate with a rotorcraft-helicopter rating.
• Other - Class II Airman's Medical Certificate.
• Other - Official Flight Record indicating at least 50 hours as a Pilot in Command in Helicopters in the past year.
• Other - Valid Driver's License of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Bargaining Unit 08 Consideration

The Bargaining Unit 8 Memorandum of Understanding regarding Voluntary In-Class Transfer Policy (Inter-Unit) (Section 9.2) will be followed. Transfers may require a two-year commitment.

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.