Job Description

Requisition No: 867883

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: FIREFIGHTER ROTORCRAFT PILOT - 42002945

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42002945

Salary: $75,000.12 - $85,000.24

Posting Closing Date: 01/11/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FIREFIGHTER ROTORCRAFT PILOT

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

THIS POSITION’S LOCATION WILL BE NEGOTIABLE BETWEEN OCALA AND TALLAHASSEE.

CONTACT:

Francis Neeley (850) 509-0598

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Commercial Pilot with Rotorcraft/Helicopter and Instrument-Helicopter ratings.

Having logged one thousand hours of helicopter flight time including five hundred hours of turbine helicopter.

Current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Class 1 or Class 2 Medical Certificate.

In addition to the above requirements, Florida Statute 633 requires that any person employed in this class must:

• Be a high school graduate or the equivalent, as the term may be determined by the Division of State Fire Marshal of the Department of Financial Services and, be at least 18 years of age.
• Not have been convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, as the term is defined by law and must comply with Florida Statute 112.011(2)(b).
• Have his/her fingerprints on file with the Division of State Fire Marshal or an agency designated by the Division.
• Have a good moral character as determined by investigation under procedure established by the Division.
• Be in good physical condition as determined by a medical examination as prescribed by the Division. Such examination may include but need not be limited to provisions of the National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 1582.
• Be a nonuser of tobacco or tobacco products for at least 1 year immediately preceding application, as evidenced by the sworn affidavit of the applicant.

SPECIAL NOTE: Florida Statute 633 requires that any person employed in this class obtain a certificate of compliance which includes, in addition to the above requirements, satisfactory completion of a fire fighter training program approved by the Division. No employee shall obtain permanent status unless the certificate is received.

NOTE: ALL POSITIONS WITHIN THIS CLASS REQUIRE POSSESSION OF A VALID DRIVER LICENSE.

***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values
and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified
individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

The incumbent must live within thirty (30) miles of the chosen headquarters throughout employment in this position.

Occasional to moderate travel required.

Position may respond to emergencies, including natural disasters or other type incidents requiring travel, as needed.

Florida Statute 633 requires that any person employed in this class obtain a Certificate of Compliance which includes, in addition to the above requirements, satisfactory completion of a fire fighter training program approved by the Division. No employee shall obtain permanent status unless the Certificate is received.

For applicants meeting the minimum requirements for this position, there will be an interview and a written exam which has a minimum required passing score. The top candidates will be given a flight evaluation where the candidates will be required to meet established commercial pilot standards for further consideration.

Applicants who receive a job offer must pass:

1. Pre-employment comprehensive medical examination
2. Pre-employment physical fitness test

Post employment – incumbents must pass:

1. Annual medical examination (pulmonary function and blood pressure)
2. Annual physical fitness test

NOTES:

To maintain fairness and integrity in our hiring process, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews is strictly prohibited. Applicants must provide their own, authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and recruitment process. Any candidate found using AI to assist in their answers will be disqualified from consideration.

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

On Call

JOB DUTIES

This is a highly skilled position requiring the ability to safely suppress fire and conduct prescribed burns as pilot in command of single engine turbine helicopters.

Pilot helicopters performing aerial suppression of wildfires in initial and reinforced attack by transporting water with helicopter, flying over and releasing water onto fire. Provide aerial intelligence on fire behavior and tactical effectiveness during fire operations. Perform aerial ignition missions utilizing helicopters and machines that drop ignition devices to set fires and reduce fuels for wildfires. Make predictions of fire behavior based on weather and other indicators during aerial suppression or prescribed burning missions. Act as pilot in command in transporting firefighting personnel to wildfire locations and transporting aerial observers on both fire and resource management missions.

Perform preflight inspection, check weather forecasts and file flight plans as appropriate; perform post-flight duties, prepare discrepancy lists, fuel aircraft, ensure security of aircraft, and close flight plan; prepare flight logs and process as necessary.

Attend internal training sessions and complete training from outside instructors to maintain currency and proficiency in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ratings and instrument and visual flight rules. Maintain currency as required by agency and insurance policy. Successfully complete required proficiency and physical examinations. Conduct training for other personnel on how to safely and effectively use aircraft to accomplish assigned mission.

Maintain aircraft in a clean, neat and orderly condition. Assist aircraft maintenance personnel with daily inspections and other maintenance as required. Operate aircraft for maintenance operations requiring a pilot. Conduct maintenance operational checks.

Perform other related duties as required.

The Following Special Benefits for this Position Include

• State of Florida Special Risk Retirement package
• Annual Uniform Allotment
• Annual Boot Allotment

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the “Total Compensation Estimator Tool” located above under the “Posting Closing Date.”

SPECIAL NOTES:

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.