Helicopter Pilot

About the role

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is currently accepting applications for the position of Fire Pilot. This recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancy as well as to establish an eligibility list for future vacancies.

Position summary

Under general supervision, Fire Pilots are assigned the authority and responsibility to perform aerial fire suppression by piloting Orange County Fire Authority helicopters over all types of terrain during aerial firefighting, crew/equipment transport, reconnaissance, medical rescue, disaster mitigation and related activities; maintains pilot flight logs and records; performs minor repairs and inspections to Orange County Fire Authority helicopters, and performs other duties as required.

Distinguishing characteristics

The Fire Pilot is the first level in a two level helicopter pilot series. Incumbents serve as Pilot in Command (PlC) during a full range of helicopter missions including but not limited to missions related to fire suppression, are responsible for the safe overall operation of Orange County Fire Authority aircraft and have the final authority for all safety-of-flight aspects of the helicopter operations. The Fire Pilot is distinguished from the Chief Fire Pilot which performs lead journey-level pilot duties and is responsible for supervisory activities.

Minimum qualifications

Education and experience (position requirements at entry):

• Four thousand (4,000) logged hours of flying time in helicopters as Pilot-In-Command, including experience in power-off-auto rotational landings.
• Fifteen hundred (1,500) hours of this time must have been flown in mountainous terrain at altitudes over 4,000 feet on map survey work, power line patrol or construction work, fire control work, rescue operations work, or similar assignments requiring take-offs and landings with maximum loads on unimproved landing areas under adverse weather conditions.

Licenses and certifications

• Must possess and maintain a valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter rating
• Must possess and maintain a valid Class 2 or Class 1 FAA Medical Certificate
• Must possess and maintain a valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Helicopter Instrument Rating
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required at time of appointment
• This classification is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program, which periodically provides Risk Management with the incumbent's Driver License record and status.

Highly desired qualifications

• Flight experience with Bell Medium Helicopter
• Flight experience with Sikorsky S70/UH60 Helicopter
• At least 500 hours of low-level flight such as powerline patrol, animal survey/capture, and vegetation management
• At least 50 hours of Night Vision Goggle flight
• At least 50 hours of instrument time.

Knowledge required

• Helicopter flight control systems and equipment
• Interagency Helicopter Operations Guidelines
• Federal Aviation Regulations and the Aeronautical Information Manual
• Wildland fire behavior and fire weather
• Aerial fire suppression
• External load operations
• Night vision systems

Skills required

• Operating medium size turbine powered helicopters over all types of terrain
• Operating special helicopter accessory equipment, including fixed water tank, hydraulic snorkel, external water bucket, sling loads, and rescue hoist
• Reviewing and maintaining written and computerized flight logs and records
• Analyzing fire and other emergency situations accurately and taking effective action
• Reading, speaking, and understanding the English language
• Communicating effectively in writing
• Preparing and making clear and concise oral presentations
• Reading, understanding, interpreting, and applying Authority policies, rules, laws and ordinances
• Establishing and maintaining harmonious and effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, and other employees in emergency and non-emergency situations
• Carrying out a conditioning program to maintain good fitness
• Performing Fire suppression via utilization of aircraft

Physical requirements and working conditions

Ability to pass a medical examination for public safety personnel whose duties demand good fitness, strength, agility and vision; operate both as a member of a team and independently at incidents of uncertain duration; wear required safety gear including but not limited to flight helmet, Nomex flight suit and personal flotation device in the course of performing duties; lift or carry a minimum of 45 pounds; pull, push and reach above the shoulder, stand; sit; stoop, kneel, repeatedly bend, crawl; walk; talk or hear; use hands or fingers, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; be exposed to trauma victims; operate motorized equipment, hoses, pumps, fire appliances and fittings, office equipment, radios and other communications devices; operate in environments of high noise, outside weather conditions, near moving mechanical parts; in confined spaces; perform physically demanding work in hot, humid atmospheres while wearing equipment that significantly impairs body-cooling mechanisms; perform a variety of tasks on slippery, wet surfaces; exposure to dust, products of combustion, risk of electrical shock or vibration.

Specific Vision Abilities: Binocular close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Pay

$122,158.40 - $164,673.60 Annually

This classification will receive the following base wage increases: 4.5% effective March 19, 2027; 4.5% effective March 17, 2028; 4.5% effective March 16, 2029; 4.5% effective March 15, 2030; 4.5% effective March 14, 2031.

Recruitment and selection schedule

• First Application Review: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
• Oral Interview: Week of October 5, 2026
• Check Flight: TBD – Will depend on candidate and OCFA Aircraft availability
• Fire Chief's Interview: TBD – depends on completion of candidate's Check Flight
• Hire Date: TBD

Dates listed above are subject to change based on the needs of the Authority.