Helicopter Pilot

Helicopter Jobs; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 91,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Helicopter Jobs in Austin, TX seeks a Helicopter Pilot for the Department of Public Safety at Austin Bergstrom Airport. Residence within 50 miles is required within six months of hire.

You will operate DPS aircraft, perform aerial searches, transport medical patients, and support law enforcement and disaster response. A high school diploma with 90 college hours or an Associate Degree, 1,500 hours turbine time, 2,000 total hours, FAA Commercial and Instrument ratings, and a Texas driver license

Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from a standard high school, or the equivalent, and ninety (90) semester hours from an accredited college or university OR an Associate Degree.
• Experience: 1,500 hours minimum turbine time; 2,000 total hours; verifiable law enforcement experience preferred.
• Licensure/Certification: Texas driver license; FAA Commercial Rating and FAA Instrument Rating.

Responsibilities

• Operate DPS aircraft in a safe and professional manner.
• Conduct aerial searches and surveillance as part of law enforcement operations.
• Transport patients, officials, and authorized personnel as required.
• Provide aerial reconnaissance for disaster areas and respond to emergencies.

Education

High school diploma + 90 college hours or Associate Degree

Job description

Job ID 107137

Location Austin

Other Recruiting Location Austin

Number of Openings 1

State Job Code(s) 1576

Close Date 10/30/2026

Company Department of Public Safety

Full/Part Time Full-Time

Regular/Temporary Regular

Salary Admin Plan(s) B

Salary Admin Grade(s) 25

Salary Range $9003.75 - 9003.75 per Month

Job Description

This position is for a Helicopter Pilot only which will be based at Austin Bergstrom Airport. Must find residence with fifty (50) miles from airport within six (6) months of hire date

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Responsible to the appropriate Captain for piloting a departmental aircraft for the purpose of providing aerial assistance in law enforcement activities; to search for and to rescue lost, stranded and/or injured persons; to transport medical patients on an emergency basis; to transport emergency supplies to disaster areas; and to provide transportation for law enforcement officers, departmental personnel, the Governor and other state officials, and other persons requiring the use of departmental aircraft. Work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment.

The following Military Occupational Specialty codes are generally applicable to this position. Applicants must fully complete the summary of experience to determine if minimum qualifications are met. https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf

Essential Duties / Responsibilities

1 Operate DPS aircraft in a safe and professional manner.

• Evaluate general safety of aircraft based on mechanical performance and ensure that maintenance and repairs are performed when needed.
• Prior to each flight, obtain latest weather information and make a decision on the feasibility of proceeding with the flight. If required, prepare and file a flight plan. Inspect the aircraft, test controls, inspect fuel and fluid levels, and perform related safety checks prior to loading passengers and baggage. Be responsible for ensuring that the aircraft is stored, refueled, and maintained properly upon arrival at destination and after return to home station.
• Pilot aircraft to search ground for evidence, persons, automobiles, or any item relevant to a criminal search or investigation. With or without specialized lighting or visual aid equipment, scan ground while piloting aircraft in order to locate a known object of a search and/or to discover evidence of value to criminal investigations. Relay status of air search to ground teams. When object of search is located, maintain in sight and relay location to ground search team. If necessary, land aircraft and make appropriate arrests.
• Participate in surveillance activities by following in aircraft, usually remaining as inconspicuous as possible. If needed, use a following device or other specialized equipment while piloting aircraft. May assist other law enforcement officers by maintaining ground surveillance with a motor vehicle.
• As a member of an undercover investigation team, transport and assume responsibility for the welfare of protected witnesses and/or informants, large sums of money, or other items pertinent to the investigation. If pretending to be engaged in illegal activities, ensure that the aircraft is prepared and that evidence of DPS and/or state ownership is removed.
• Transport prisoners, suspects, witnesses, informants, law enforcement officers, and others involved in criminal investigations and/or legal proceedings. As requested, transport the Director, administrative personnel, other Department employees, and other state agencies' personnel throughout the state.
• Provide transportation for photographers and other persons requiring an aerial view of a particular site related to public safety matters or other official state business, such as a crime scene, accident site, disaster area, etc.
• Provide security for and transport the Governor and other state officials on selected occasions when the Department's aircraft are used.
• Transport critically ill or injured persons from one medical facility to another. Prepare aircraft to accommodate patients and assist in loading and unloading patients.
• Provide aerial reconnaissance and surveillance of disasters, riots, and other emergencies and/or special sites. Evaluate scope, potential, and current dangers of the situation and relay information to the ground team. Transport medical supplies, food, and other emergency supplies. Transport officials to disaster sites.
• Inspect motorcade route while piloting aircraft to discover potential problem areas and to inform appropriate security personnel. Fly reconnaissance route just prior to and during motorcade in order to maintain security and to search for problems and dangers.
• Transport Traffic Law Enforcement personnel in order to monitor traffic flow from the air. Fly over highways after disasters and other severe conditions to inspect roads for passable conditions, stranded motorists, and/or dangers.
• Participate in search and rescue efforts by flying designated search areas looking for signs of lost persons. Pilot an aircraft, usually a helicopter, in all types of flight conditions to rescue stranded persons from rising water, mountains, buildings, aircraft crashes, etc.
• May assist in traffic and criminal investigations and apprehensions by performing activities such as securing crime scenes, photographing evidence, questioning witnesses, and/or restraining suspects.
• Be familiar with and prepared to implement the Aircraft Operations Division’s Mishap Plan.
• Participate in hiring procedures as a member of interview boards.
• Maintain and submit records as pertaining to applicable reports as per General Manual Chapter 8.
• Attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS And REQUIREMENTS

Education - Graduation from a standard senior high school, vocational school, or the equivalent and ninety (90) semester hours from an accredited college or university OR an Associate Degree. Academic requirements may be substituted by prior satisfactory employment as a Law Enforcement Officer or Honorable Military Service.

Experience - Must have verifiable experience piloting turbine engine aircraft with max gross weight above 5,000 pounds, 1,500 hours minimum of turbine time, and at least 2,000 hours total time. Verifiable prior law enforcement experience is preferred.

Licensure and/or Certification - Must possess a valid Texas Driver License. Must possess the following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):

a. FAA Commercial Rating

b. FAA Instrument Rating

Physical - Must possess a current FAA medical certificate and must maintain a current second-class FAA medical certificate. Must meet semi-annual Physical Readiness Testing standards.

Regulatory Knowledge - Working knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly assimilate information related to TXDPS, State and Federal regulations, legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures. Knowledge of state and federal statutes, rules and regulations pertaining to traffic and criminal law enforcement. Knowledge of Department and Aircraft Operations Division policies and procedures. Thorough knowledge of FAA rules, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to the piloting of aircraft utilized by the Department. Knowledge of piloting skills and techniques, navigation, aircraft safety, and maintenance requirements.

Interpersonal Skills - Ability to react calmly and to display leadership in emergency situations; to evaluate and make sound decisions regarding flight conditions; and to work effectively and efficiently with co-pilot, other departmental personnel, other law enforcement and governmental agencies' personnel, and the general public.

Organizational and Prioritization Skills - Must be organized, flexible, and able to effectively prioritize in a multi-demand and constantly changing environment; able to meet multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines without sacrificing accuracy, timeliness or professionalism.

Presentation/Communication Skills - Must be able to construct and deliver clear, concise, and professional presentations to a variety of audiences and/or individuals.

Research and Comprehension - Must demonstrate ability to quickly and efficiently access relevant information, and be able to utilize and/or present research and conclusions in a clear and concise manner.

Analytical Reasoning/Attention to Detail - Must demonstrate an ability to examine data/information, discern variations/similarities, and be able identify trends, relationships and causal factors, as well as grasp issues, draw accurate conclusions, and solve problems.

Technology (computers/hardware/software/operating systems) - Must possess appropriate levels of proficiency with utilized software and systems and be able to learn new software/systems. Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Confidentiality and Protected Information - Must demonstrate an ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information and situations, and adhere to applicable laws/statutes/policies related to access, maintenance and dissemination of information.

Travel and/or Schedule - Availability for after-hour and weekend work is required. Frequent overnight and occasional weeklong travel is required. Subject to call twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week.

PHYSICAL And/or ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those encountered and/or necessary for the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Environment: Indoors, outdoors, and vehicle;
• Ambulatory skills, e.g. stand, walk, sit; kneel;
• Hand-eye coordination and arm/hand/finger dexterity;
• Ability to speak, hear, and exercise visual acuity;
• Ability to transfer weights of fifty (50) pounds anticipated for this position;
• Driving requirements: Extensive.

State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information:

https://www.ers.texas.gov/

Current DPS employees who submit applications for posted DPS positions shall notify their immediate supervisor in writing.

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in the same salary group and state title as their current position will be transferred with no salary change.

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in their current salary group with a new state title may receive an increase of no more than 3.4% over their current salary regardless of posted salary.

Salary is contingent upon qualifications and is subject to salary administration and budgetary restrictions.

DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS WE DO NOT ACCEPT TELEPHONE CALLS. ONLY CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED.

State of Texas retirees may be rehired for full-time, non-commissioned positions only under very specific circumstances.