Working title Forestry Fire Pilot
Monthly salary $7948.00 - $10488.00
Job Code # 514427
Position # 542-116-1046-VAR
Deadline 05/08/2026
Typical Tasks
Pilot a helicopter in single pilot operation over all types of terrain in aerial firefighting, hauling firefighters and inmates to and from fires, hauling cargo, both internal and external, and dropping water and retardant on fires from helicopter-carried water buckets or tanks; flying routine and emergency missions such as search and rescue, medivacs, reconnaissance, law enforcement, serial photography, and administrative flights; support prescribed burning projects by hauling various serial ignition devices to ignite prescribed fires; be responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the helicopter; perform preventive maintenance plus limited inspections and maintenance on helicopters while under the direction of a licensed aircraft mechanic; act as air operations officer on occasions, which would include special projects, training, and inspecting rental aircraft pilots, plus other aviation management tasks; and perform other duties assigned.
Job Description and Duties
A new examination for this classification will be released soon but all interested applicants, regardless of eligibility, will need to apply to this Job Control.
For questions related to the duties of the position, please contact Deputy Chief Nick Giampaoli by phone at (408) 472-1601 or by email at nick.giampaoli@fire.ca.gov.
This position is located at the Alma Helitack Base in Los Gatos, CA.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
May be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
Pilots a helicopter in single pilot operation under hazardous conditions, during day or night, such as: mountainous terrain, turbulent air, reduced visibility, confined areas, over water, with external loads (including Heli torch and other airborne pyrotechnical devices), to and from unimproved landing sites, at high altitudes, in high temperatures, in toxic smoke, with high gross weights at or near the performance limits of the aircraft, in close proximity to uncontrolled fire line, and in close proximity with other aircraft such as with other firefighting helicopters, air tankers, lead planes, news media helicopters, as well as general aviation and military aircraft.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
FORESTRY FIRE PILOT
Additional Documents
Job Application Package Checklist
Duty Statement
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. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!
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. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!
Special Requirements
Special RequirementsPossession 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.
Possession of a valid Driver's License of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
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.
Possession of a valid Driver's License of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Special RequirementsPossession 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.
Possession of a valid Driver's License of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Desirable Qualifications
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
Forest-firefighting experience with helicopters is desirable.
Benefits
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
This classification is eligible for the following pay:
$7948 - $10488 Base Salary (paid every month)
$2701 - $3564 Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)
$130,489 – $172,188 Annual Compensation
Employees in the classification are eligible for Pay Differential 506 and shall receive the incentives based on their helicopter pilot qualifications and/or Cal FIRE helicopter program responsibilities. These incentives shall be cumulative, depending on the qualifications and program responsibilities of the employee, the total of which shall not exceed 15% of base pay.
RATE
10% of base salary - S-70i Firehawk Helicopter and Night Flying Qualified
2.5% of base salary - Unit Instructor Pilot
2.5% of base salary - Flight Examiner
2.5% of base salary - Helicopter Instructor Pilot
2.5% of base salary - Maintenance Test Pilot
2.5% of base salary - Chief Pilot
This differential shall be considered compensation for the purposes of retirement contributions.
The State shall pay an Educational Incentive Pay (EIP) of $150 per pay period to all permanent employees in this classification who have completed 60 units from an accredited community college, college, or university. EIP shall be eliminated upon movement to a classification not designated R08.
In addition to the above pay items, employees are eligible for medical benefits (health, dental, vision) and may be eligible for other pay differentials.
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring
(707) 576-2275
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
(916) 767-8359
ReasonableAccommodations@fire.ca.gov
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.
Bargaining Unit 8 Considerations
The Bargaining Unit 8 Memorandum of Understanding regarding Voluntary In-Class Transfer Policy (Inter-Unit) (Section 9.2) will be followed. The department may require 2 years of service in the employee's current assignment before eligibility for transfer.
Additional Information
Please include the position number 542-116-1046-VAR on your STD 678.
Candidate may be selected by resume review.
Applicants are highly encouraged to complete a Recruitment Questionnaire, located at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HLYSH8V
How To Get A State Job
Individuals must pass an open examination before applying for most job vacancies with the State of California.
Use the “exam/assessment search” function on the CalCareers website at www.jobs.ca.gov to search for the examination you are interested in applying for. If the exam is currently being offered, you will need to follow the directions in the exam bulletin on how to apply for and take the exam. Not all examinations are offered continuously or at the time a job vacancy occurs.
Successful examination candidates are placed on an eligibility list. Candidates should refer to their examination results for specific list eligibility expiration dates and to re-take the exam when necessary. Once list eligibility has been established, you can search and apply for current vacancies in the classification to which you have established eligibility.
Candidates must also meet the minimum qualifications of the classification to be appointed into the classification they are applying for. Minimum qualifications can be found in the class specifications listed on the exam bulletin or on the CalCareers website. Application packages should include documentation and relevant experience that shows you have the required education and/or experience to meet the minimum qualifications.
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.
