Helicopter Fire Pilot – Florida

Helijobs.net; Tallahassee, Northern (FL, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State Risk Retirement Package

Annual Uniform Allotment

Annual Boot Allotment

Paid Holidays

Health Insurance Options

Job summary

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services seeks a Firefighter Rotorcraft Pilot to operate single-engine turbine helicopters for aerial fire suppression and prescribed burns. Candidates must hold a Commercial Pilot certification and have significant helicopter flight experience.

The role includes responsibilities like preflight inspections, flying firefighting missions, and aircraft maintenance.

Qualifications

• FAA Commercial Pilot with Rotorcraft/Helicopter and Instrument-Helicopter ratings.
• 1,000 hours helicopter flight time, including 500 hours in turbine helicopters.
• Current FAA Class 1 or Class 2 Medical Certificate.

Responsibilities

• Pilot helicopters for aerial fire suppression and prescribed burns.
• Perform preflight inspections and file flight plans.
• Maintain aircraft condition and assist in daily inspections.

Skills

FAA Certification

Helicopter Flight Experience

Medical Fitness

Tobacco-Free

Pilot Command Skills

Education

High School Graduate

Job description

FIREFIGHTER ROTORCRAFT PILOT – 42002922

Date: Oct 1, 2026

Requisition No:881447

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: FIREFIGHTER ROTORCRAFT PILOT – 42002922

Position Number:42002922

Posting Closing Date: 10/15/2026

FIREFIGHTER ROTORCRAFT PILOT

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Commercial Pilot with Rotorcraft/Helicopter and Instrument-Helicopter ratings.

Having logged one thousand hours of helicopter flight time including five hundred hours of turbine helicopter.

Current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Class 1 or Class 2 Medical Certificate.

In addition to the above requirements, Florida Statute 633 requires that any person employed in this class must:

• Be a high school graduate or the equivalent, as the term may be determined by the Division of State Fire Marshal of the Department of Financial Services and, be at least 18 years of age
• Not have been convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, as the term is defined by law and must comply with Florida Statute 112.011(2)(b).
• Have his/her fingerprints on file with the Division of State Fire Marshal or an agency designated by the Division.
• Have a good moral character as determined by investigation under procedure established by the Division.
• Be in good physical condition as determined by a medical examination as prescribed by the Division. Such examination may include but need not be limited to provisions of the National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 1582.
• Be a nonuser of tobacco or tobacco products for at least 1 year immediately preceding application, as evidenced by the sworn affidavit of the applicant.

SPECIAL NOTE: Florida Statute 633 requires that any person employed in this class must obtain a certificate of compliance which includes, in addition to the above requirements, satisfactory completion of a fire fighter training program approved by the Division. No employee shall obtain permanent status unless the certificate is received.

NOTE: ALL POSITIONS WITHIN THIS CLASS REQUIRE POSSESSION OF A VALID DRIVER LICENSE.

***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values
and supports employment of individuals with disabilities.Qualified
individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Occasional to moderate travel required.

Position may respond to emergencies, including natural disasters or other type incidents requiring travel, as needed.

Florida Statute 633 requires that any person employed in this class obtain a Certificate of Compliance which includes, in addition to the above requirements, satisfactory completion of a fire fighter training program approved by the Division. No employee shall obtain permanent status unless the Certificate is received.

For applicants meeting the minimum requirements for this position, there will be an interview and a written exam which has a minimum required passing score. The top candidates will be given a flight evaluation where the candidates will be required to meet established commercial pilot standards for further consideration.

Applicants who receive a job offer must pass:

• Pre-employment physical fitness test

Post employment – incumbents must pass:

• Annual medical examination (pulmonary function and blood pressure)
• Annual physical fitness test

NOTES:

To maintain fairness and integrity, applicants are required to provide honest and authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and selection process. Applicants must rely on their own personal knowledge, thoughts, and impressions. A candidate’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews will be taken into consideration when determining qualification for the position.

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

ON-CALL

JOB DUTIES

This is a highly skilled position requiring the ability to safely suppress fire and conduct prescribed burns as pilot in command of single engine turbine helicopters.

Pilot helicopters performing aerial suppression of wildfires in initial and reinforced attack by transporting water with helicopter, flying over and releasing water onto fire. Provide aerial intelligence on fire behavior and tactical effectiveness during fire operations. Perform aerial ignition missions utilizing helicopters and machines that drop ignition devices to set fires and reduce fuels for wildfires. Make predictions of fire behavior based on weather and other indicators during aerial suppression or prescribed burning missions. Act as pilot in command in transporting firefighting personnel to wildfire locations and transporting aerial observers on fire and resource management missions.

Perform preflight inspections, check weather forecasts and file flight plans as appropriate; perform post-flight duties, prepare discrepancy lists, fuel aircraft, ensure security of aircraft, and close flight plan; prepare flight logs and process as necessary.

Attend internal training sessions and complete training from outside instructors to maintain currency and proficiency in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ratings and instrument and visual flight rules. Maintain currency as required by agency and insurance policy. Successfully complete required proficiency and physical examinations. Conduct training for other personnel on how to safely and effectively use aircraft to accomplish assigned mission.

Maintain aircraft in a clean, neat and orderly condition. Assist aircraft maintenance personnel with daily inspections and other maintenance as required. Operate aircraft for maintenance operations requiring a pilot. Conduct maintenance operational checks.

Perform other related duties as required.

The Following Special Benefits for this Position Include

• State of Florida Special Risk Retirement package
• Annual Uniform Allotment
• Annual Boot Allotment

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.