Sheriff's Helicopter Pilot

Ventura County•Ventura, CA

22h•Onsite

About The Position

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office is seeking an experienced Helicopter Pilot for a rewarding career. Incumbents serve as Pilot in Command (PIC) during a full range of helicopter missions, are responsible for the safe overall operation of Ventura County Sheriff's Office aircraft, and have the final authority for all safety-of-flight aspects of the helicopter operations. In addition, pilots fly over all types of terrain during aerial firefighting, law enforcement, crew/equipment transport, reconnaissance, medical rescue, disaster mitigation and related activities; maintains pilot flight logs and records; performs minor repairs and inspections and performs other duties as required. Incumbents often must work under adverse conditions and successfully respond to unexpected and occasionally life threatening events. Must also work rotating shifts which include stand-by, on-call status, willing/able to respond to emergencies after normal working hours and arrive at the hangar within thirty (30) minutes of initial notification. This classification is distinguished from other classifications in the Deputy Sheriff series in that the incumbent's primary responsibility is to operate a helicopter in the performance of law enforcement, fire suppression duties, and rescue missions. This position is non-sworn. PAYROLL TITLE: Fire/Sheriff's Pilot

Requirements

3,000 hours of helicopter flight time as pilot-in-command of which 1,000 hours shall include mountainous terrain utilizing unimproved landing areas at altitudes exceeding 4,000 feet MS. (Note: pilot in command is defined as actual time flying on controls)
Hours completed as a flight instructor, co-pilot or second-in-command does not apply to 3,000 hours of helicopter flight time.
Possession of a valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Airman's Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter instrument rating or FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter rating.
Possession of a valid Class I or II Airman's Medical Certificate issued by an FAA authorized medical examiner, or military equivalent.
MUST SUBMIT A VALID COPY (front & back) OF FAA Pilot Certificate, FAA Medical Certificate, or Military Equivalent WITH APPLICATION.
Possession of a valid California Driver's License OR ability to obtain within sixty (60) days of hire.
Incumbents of this classification must be able to successfully complete all other sections of the Deputy Sheriff selection process to be eligible.
This includes selected portions of Sheriff's and/or Fire Academy training (e.g., Defensive Driver Training, Wildland Fire Behavior, etc.)
Have flown 50 hours of flight time as PIC of a rotorcraft-helicopter in the preceding 12 months.
Must be able to work rotating shifts, stand-by, callbacks, and emergencies.
Comprehensive knowledge of: helicopter flight control systems and equipment; Interagency Helicopter Operations Guidelines; (now known as NWCG SHO) Federal Aviation Regulations and the Aeronautical Information Manual; wildland fire behavior and fire weather.
Comprehensive skill in operation of: light, medium, and heavy size turbine powered helicopters over all types of terrain; operating special helicopter accessory equipment, including fixed water tank, hydraulic/electric snorkel, sling loads, rescue hoist, helitorch, video downlinking, Night Vision Goggles (NVG) and forward looking infrared systems.
Thorough ability to: review and maintain written and/or computerized flight logs and records; read, understand, interpret and apply VCSO air unit policies, rules, laws and ordinances; prepare clear and concise oral presentations; analyze fire and other emergency situations accurately and take effective action; read, speak and understand the English language; communicate effectively in writing; establish and maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates and other employees in emergency and nonemergency situations.

Nice To Haves

Possession of a FAA Flight Instructor Certificate for helicopters, or military equivalent.
Knowledge of Incident Command System, local topography, and area weather conditions.
Possession of a USDA/USDI Interagency or Cal Fire carded in aerial ignition.
Employed for one (1) year as a helicopter pilot by a Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 135 Operator.
Possession of a valid USDA/USDI Interagency or Cal Fire Pilot Qualifications Card for Type I, Type II and Type III helicopters with Reconnaissance and Survey, Mountainous Terrain, External Loads, Fire Suppression, and Water Dropping OR ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire.
500 hours in a Type I or Type II turbine powered helicopter.
250 hours performing low level missions in fire control and suppression, search and rescue over mountain or forested areas, EMS missions; or comparable military experience.
100 hours of night flying in a Type I, Type II and/or Type III turbine helicopter.
20 hours performing ANVIS/NVG low level missions in fire control and suppression, search and rescue over mountain or forested areas, EMS missions; or comparable military experience.
Multi engine helicopter experience.
Long Line/Vertical reference experience with USDA or equivalent fire card.
Rappel or Short Haul experience.
Initial Attack Fire experience.
Exclusive use contract experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as Pilot in Command (PIC) during a full range of helicopter missions.
Responsible for the safe overall operation of Ventura County Sheriff's Office aircraft.
Have the final authority for all safety-of-flight aspects of the helicopter operations.
Fly over all types of terrain during aerial firefighting, law enforcement, crew/equipment transport, reconnaissance, medical rescue, disaster mitigation and related activities.
Maintain pilot flight logs and records.
Perform minor repairs and inspections.
Transport medical personnel to medical emergencies and injured patients to hospitals.
Perform general law enforcement assignments for the protection of life and property, prevention and suppression of criminal law violators.
Operate light, medium, and heavy size turbine powered helicopters over all types of terrain to assist in the suppression of wildland and other types of fires.
May be involved in making water/foam drops in assigned fire suppression target areas, effecting rescues, and transporting firefighter crews and logistical materials to the fire line.
Assist in training crews to operate safely in and around helicopters.
Use maps.
Operate fire and aviation radios.
Check, clean and maintain helicopters.
Perform general housekeeping duties in the aviation unit.
Maintain self and helicopter in a constant state of readiness for dispatch to emergency and non-emergency alarms or to assigned locations for ready response standby.
May supervise and direct the work of personnel on the ground who are assisting in operations involving a helicopter.
Operate special helicopter accessory equipment, which may include: fixed water tank, hydraulic/electric snorkel, sling loads, rescue hoist, helitorch, video downlinking, mapping and forward looking infrared systems.
Review and maintain written and computerized flight logs and records.
Perform minor maintenance of helicopters.
Research, develop and write procedures for the Aviation Unit.
Perform other related duties as required.

Benefits

Biweekly contribution towards a flexible benefits program (including medical, dental, and vision insurance options)
An educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on the completion of Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree or, if qualified, for POST certification; plus other premium/incentive/bonus payments
Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan.
Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 2.5% match on your 401(k) contributions
Participation in the County's defined pension plan.
Possible bilingual incentive pay depending upon operational need and certification of skills, for those qualified
Annual leave (depending upon years of service)
13 paid holidays (including a floating holiday)
Wellness Program (including health club discounts; free health coaching, onsite wellness, and online health education)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and peer support
WorkLife Program (including Lactation Accommodation Policy, Child Care Discounts and Coastal Housing Partnership)
Textbook and tuition program