Forestry Fire Pilot

Helicopter Jobs; San Bernardino (CA); On-site; USD 89,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

CAL FIRE’s San Bernardino Unit seeks a Forestry Fire Pilot for a permanent, full-time role based in San Bernardino County with in-office duties.

Applicants must hold an FAA Commercial Airman Certificate with rotorcraft rating or an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate with rotorcraft rating, a Class II Medical Certificate, and a valid driver’s license. Final filing date is 8/9/2026.

Qualifications

• FAA Commercial Airman Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter rating.
• Valid Class II Airman’s Medical Certificate issued by FAA.
• Valid driver's license of the appropriate class issued by the DMV.

Job description

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

JC-526802 - Forestry Fire Pilot

Permanent, Full Time

San Bernardino County – Telework: In Office

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

Extended Duty Week Compensation: $2,701 – $3,564 every 4 weeks

Annual Compensation: $130,489 – $172,188

Final Filing Date: 8/9/2026

Job Code: JC-526802

# of Positions: Multiple

Facility: San Bernardino 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.

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).

Required Application Package Documents

• 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 -
• Class II Airman's Medical Certificate.
• Other - Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) Commercial Airman Certificate with rotocraft-helicopter rating or a valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot's Certifficate with a rotocraft-helicopter rating.
• 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

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 and Authorization to Release Information Form (PO-299).

Applications/Resumes postmarked after the final filing date may not be considered.

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.

Hiring Unit Contact

Angelina Diaz-Munoz

[phone]

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.