Fire Pilot

Orange County Fire Authority • Fullerton, CA

28d • Onsite

About The Position

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. Applicants are encouraged to review the entire recruitment announcement before applying to understand the minimum qualifications and to apply early in the process. 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. 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.

Requirements

• 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
• Possess and maintain a valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter rating
• Possess and maintain a valid Class 2 or Class 1 FAA Medical Certificate
• 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
• Subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program
• Knowledge of Helicopter flight control systems and equipment
• Knowledge of Interagency Helicopter Operations Guidelines
• Knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations and the Aeronautical Information Manual
• Knowledge of Wildland fire behavior and fire weather
• Knowledge of Aerial fire suppression
• Knowledge of External load operations
• Knowledge of Night vision systems
• Skill in Operating medium size turbine powered helicopters over all types of terrain
• Skill in Operating special helicopter accessory equipment, including fixed water tank, hydraulic snorkel, external water bucket, sling loads, and rescue hoist
• Skill in Reviewing and maintaining written and computerized flight logs and records
• Skill in Analyzing fire and other emergency situations accurately and taking effective action
• Skill in Reading, speaking, and understanding the English language
• Skill in Communicating effectively in writing
• Skill in Preparing and making clear and concise oral presentations
• Skill in Reading, understanding, interpreting, and applying Authority policies, rules, laws and ordinances
• Skill in Establishing and harmonious and effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, and other employees in emergency and non-emergency situations
• Skill in Carrying out a conditioning program to maintain good fitness
• Ability to pass a medical examination for public safety personnel whose duties demand good fitness, strength, agility and vision
• Ability to operate both as a member of a team and independently at incidents of uncertain duration
• Ability to wear required safety gear including but not limited to flight helmet, Nomex flight suit and personal flotation device in the course of performing duties
• Ability to lift or carry a minimum of 45 pounds
• Ability to 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
• Ability to be exposed to trauma victims
• Ability to operate motorized equipment, hoses, pumps, fire appliances and fittings, office equipment, radios and other communications devices
• Ability to operate in environments of high noise, outside weather conditions, near moving mechanical parts; in confined spaces
• Ability to perform physically demanding work in hot, humid atmospheres while wearing equipment that significantly impairs body-cooling mechanisms
• Ability to perform a variety of tasks on slippery, wet surfaces
• Ability to withstand 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

Nice To Haves

• 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

Responsibilities

• 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
• Maintain pilot flight logs and records
• Perform minor repairs and inspections to Orange County Fire Authority helicopters
• Serve as Pilot in Command (PIC) during a full range of helicopter missions including but not limited to missions related to fire suppression
• Ensure the safe overall operation of Orange County Fire Authority aircraft
• Exercise final authority for all safety-of-flight aspects of helicopter operations
• Perform Fire suppression via utilization of aircraft

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed