Ready to turn your passion for flying into a high-impact mission? The Chino Police Department is seeking a part-time Helicopter Pilot to patrol the skies, support urgent law enforcement operations, and protect the community from above.
If you’re an experienced rotorcraft pilot with an FAA Commercial Certificate and over 1,000 hours as Pilot-in-Command—plus 500 hours in turbine-powered aircraft—this is your chance to combine adrenaline, skill, and service. Join a fast-paced team where your aerial perspective can help stop crimes, assist in critical searches, and support life-saving missions—both day and night. You’ll conduct important safety checks and play a key role in keeping Chino safe. If you’re ready to serve and fly with purpose, Chino PD wants you!
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The first review date is Thursday, June 19, 2025. Applications received after the first review date are not guaranteed to be considered and this recruitment may close at any time. Please apply immediately.
Duties/Responsibilities
Essential Functions:
- Safely operates the Police Department helicopter and other related equipment, including specialized law enforcement equipment, in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines.
- Collaborates effectively with other pilots, tactical flight officers, supervision, department staff, and outside contractors and vendors.
- Maintains knowledge and awareness of FAA regulations, Aircraft Operating Manuals, Safety Management Systems, and other regulations concerning the safe operation of department aircraft.
- Maintains current qualifications and proficiency in helicopter operations.
- Conducts law enforcement aerial patrol operations in a designated area of the City, or regional area, as assigned in a helicopter aircraft.
- Performs pre-flight and post-flight inspections of helicopter and associated equipment and systems in accordance with FAA regulations to ensure safe operations.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education:
- Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.
Experience:
- One thousand (1,000) Hours of Pilot in Command time in rotorcraft; and five hundred (500) Hours of Pilot in Command time in turbine powered aircraft.
Knowledge of:
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations regarding the operation of rotorcraft under Part 91, as well as operations under Public Aircraft regulations.
- Helicopter flight control systems and operations, including the operation of turbine engines.
- Airspace, weather, terrain, flight planning, crew resource management, aeronautical decision making, flying conditions, and safety management.
- Required FAA reporting forms and completion and forwarding procedures.
- The operation and maintenance of rotary-wing aircraft, including unique capabilities, mechanical features, and maintenance requirements.
- Law enforcement aerial patrol procedures, surveillance techniques, tactics, and procedures unique to municipal police departments.
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
Ability to:
- Safely pilot a helicopter and perform the duties of Pilot in Commander during all phases of flight in support of the law enforcement mission, in accordance with federal, state, and local aviation regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Work a variety of shifts depending on the needs of the Air Support Unit and to respond to the City in cases of emergency.
- Meet the physical requirements of the position including any aircraft related requirements.
- Recognize potential mechanical hazards.
- Perform under stressful and adverse conditions.
- Perform mechanical skills necessary to complete pilot daily inspections and request appropriate action to correct problems.
- Make correct and sound decisions on helicopter use in practical applications.
Special Requirements
Licenses and Certifications:
- Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.
- Possession of a valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot Certificate with Rotorcraft Rating, to be maintained throughout employment.
- Possession of a valid FAA Class II Medical Certificate, to be maintained throughout employment.
- Receive satisfactory results from a background investigation, polygraph test, psychological evaluation, a physical examination, which includes a drug screen, and an administrative review.
Physical Profile:
Must possess mobility to operate a helicopter; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; frequently reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, climb and descend ladders; possible entry into confined spaces to use confined entry equipment; grasp and make repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties; to operate varied hand and power tools and construction equipment, and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; and vision to inspect and operate equipment. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to operate and repair tools and equipment. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 50 pounds or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
Environmental and Working Conditions:
Employees work inside of a helicopter and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, vibration, confining workspace, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, smoke, vapors, dust, chemicals, and air contaminants. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing divisional policies and procedures. Work is subject to rotating shifts, on-call, and weekend assignments.
Important Information:
The City of Chino is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Human Resources/Risk Management Department at (909) 334-3274. Requests should be made three (3) business days in advance.
Prospective employees selected for employment must successfully complete a medical examination and a background check, including professional reference checks. The background check, paid for by the City, also includes Live Scan fingerprinting through the Department of Justice.
The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.