Tallahassee,FL,USA Career:FIREFIGHTER ROTORCRAFT PILOT-42002628-Quick

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), through its Florida Forest Service, is a state agency dedicated to the protection and management of Florida's vast forest resources. FDACS plays a critical role in safeguarding public lands from wildfires, maintaining healthy forests, and conserving natural habitats. As a vital component of the state’s emergency response system, the Florida Forest Service operates specialized teams and equipment designed to prevent, contain, and extinguish wildfires that threaten communities, wildlife, and ecosystems across Florida. The department values a commitment to public safety, environmental stewardship, and the responsible management of the state's natural resources. The employment type for this role is a career service position, offering a competitive salary range of $75,000.12 to $85,000.24 annually, with the position location negotiable between Ocala, Fort Myers, and Tallahassee, Florida. The department also supports veterans and individuals with disabilities in its hiring practices, underscoring its dedication to equal opportunity employment. The Firefighter Rotorcraft Pilot position represents a highly specialized aviation role within the Florida Forest Service. This role requires an individual with extensive experience flying single-engine turbine helicopters, primarily tasked with wildfire suppression and conducting prescribed burns. As pilot in command, the Firefighter Rotorcraft Pilot is responsible for the operational safety and effectiveness of aerial firefighting missions. This includes flying over wildfires to perform water drops, conducting aerial ignition missions to reduce wildfire fuels, delivering firefighting personnel and observers to fire locations, and providing crucial aerial intelligence on fire behavior and tactical operations. The position demands strong aviation skills, including FAA certification as a Commercial Pilot with Rotorcraft/Helicopter and Instrument-Helicopter ratings, along with rigorous adherence to medical, safety, and regulatory standards. Beyond flying duties, the pilot oversees critical preflight and postflight inspections, safety checks, weather assessment, flight planning, and aircraft maintenance coordination. The role requires maintaining proficiency through ongoing training, meeting FAA currency requirements, and performing physical and medical fitness evaluations annually. The Firefighter Rotorcraft Pilot is also tasked with instructing personnel in the safe and effective use of aircraft in firefighting missions, contributing to the readiness and capability of the Florida Forest Service. As an emergency responder, the pilot must be highly adaptable, available for on-call duty, ready to respond to natural disasters and emergency incidents statewide, and must reside within 30 miles of their assigned headquarters. The position offers a State of Florida Special Risk Retirement package, uniform and boot allotments, and a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, paid leave, and retirement plans. This role is an essential part of Florida’s wildfire management strategy, emphasizing safety, skill, and dedication to public service.

• Certification by the Federal Aviation Administration as a Commercial Pilot with Rotorcraft/Helicopter and Instrument-Helicopter ratings
• One thousand hours of helicopter flight time including five hundred hours of turbine helicopter
• Current FAA Class 1 or Class 2 Medical Certificate
• High school graduate or equivalent
• At least 18 years of age
• No felony or misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude
• Fingerprints on file with the Division of State Fire Marshal
• Good moral character as determined by investigation
• Good physical condition as determined by medical examination
• Nonuser of tobacco products for at least one year preceding application
• Possess a valid driver license
• Completion of fire fighter training program approved by the Division
• Residence within 30 miles of designated headquarters
• Ability to pass pre-employment medical examination and physical fitness test
• Ability to pass annual post-employment medical and fitness tests
• Successful completion of interview, written exam, and flight evaluation
• Pass background screening including fingerprinting