CHIEF HELICOPTER PILOT

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $109,536 Annually

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 09/04/2024

THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CAREER SERVICE UNIFORMED MEMBERS OF THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT

Under direction, supervises and monitors the helicopter operations and staff engaged in piloting departmental helicopters in response to air and sea rescue incidents and pilots aircraft as needed, and performs related duties as required

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

· Supervises and pilots the helicopter operations for the Chicago Fire Department

• Coordinates flight activities with the Deputy District Chief-Air Rescue ensuring manpower requirements are met and that helicopter pilots meet required performance standards including flight training requirements
• Performs the operational and supervisory duties of a Company Officer responsible for instructing staff and preparing work reports
• Ensures schedules for helicopter pilot training and equipment maintenance do not conflict with emergency responses
• Assists in ensuring that the helicopter unit complies with the aviation regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and with departmental rules and regulations
• Assists the Deputy District Chief-Air Rescue with the scheduling and continued training to ensure pilots maintain license requirements
• Instructs staff on proper emergency procedures for air and sea rescue incidents
• Keeps abreast of departmental orders, helicopter operations and rescue strategies
• Maintains the Attendance and Assignment, Company Journal and electronic flight records
• Operates Chicago Fire Department helicopters
• Plans and conduct rescue operation drills with CFD and partner agencies

· Takes steps to build, maintain, and improve professional skills through participation in mandatory training and education, and through the use of other resources made available by the department

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location: Bureau of Operations, 3954 S. Foreman Drive

Days/Hours: Varies according to operational needs

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training, and Experience

· Career Service status as a uniformed member of the Chicago Fire Department is required

· Ten (10) years as a uniformed member of the Chicago Fire Department with a minimum rank of Lieutenant (including EMT or Paramedic) in the Bureau of Operations

Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications

· Valid and current commercial Rotorcraft/Helicopter Pilot Certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

• Certified rotorcraft/helicopter flight instructor as issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• Valid and current second-class medical certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

· Possess a minimum of 500 flight hours in rotorcraft/helicopter Bell 412

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected.

Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:

· Considerable knowledge of FAA flight rules within the Chicagoland airspace.

• Knowledge of emergency procedures recommended by the aircraft manufacturer in flight manuals of departmental aircraft.
• Knowledge of training methods and techniques related to air and sea rescues.
• Ability to instruct others on proper emergency procedures for air and sea rescue incidents.
• Considerable knowledge of
• Ability to operate helicopter equipment and apparatus
• Ability to work under stressful and demanding situations.
• Ability to complete records and prepare necessary reports in relation to the performance of the aircraft and the flight personnel.
• Ability to instruct others on proper emergency procedures for air and sea rescue incidents.
• Skill in responding to flight hazards such as engine failures or in-flight control failures.
• Good oral and written communication skills.

· Skill in the application of practiced emergency procedures to emergency incidents.

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor