Sheriffs Helicopter Pilot
Salary
$125,949.21 - $176,570.12 Annually
Location
Camarillo and may be required to travel throughout Ventura County, CA
Job Type
Full-Time Regular
Job Number
1778SHF-26AA (MK)
Department
Sheriff
Opening Date
05/19/2026
Description
The Ventura County Sheriffs 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 Sheriffs 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.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: 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.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This classification is distinguished from other classifications in the Deputy Sheriff series in that the incumbents 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/Sheriffs Pilot
BENEFITS/INCENTIVES:
AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: Sheriff / Air Unit
Fire/Sheriffs Pilot is represented by the Ventura County Deputy Sheriffs Association (VCDSA) and is eligible for overtime compensation.
The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help positions within the Sheriffs Office. There is one (1) anticipated Regular vacancy.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
CLOSING DATE: Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when a sufficient number of qualified applications are received to meet business needs.
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
Typical Qualifications
These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of a valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Airmans Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter instrument rating or FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter rating.
Possession of a valid Class I or II Airmans 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. You can either submit a scanned copy as an attachment for an on-line application or send an email to Melissa Kurtz at melissa.kurtz@venturacounty.gov.
Possession of a valid California Drivers 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 Sheriffs 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.
DESIRED:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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.
Recruitment Process
FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.
To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at https://venturacounty.gov/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.
Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, they may not be submitted in lieu of the application and supplemental questionnaire.
INFORMATION FOR TRANSFER CANDIDATES: If presently permanently employed in another merit or civil service public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a merit or civil service style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here (Download PDR Reader) for additional information.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicants qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire will result in the application being removed from consideration.
APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.
TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EVALUATION: A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the candidate meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Candidates are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong, many qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.
NOTE: The selection process will likely consist of an Oral Exam which may be preceded or replaced with the score from a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E), contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool. In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence.
ORAL EXAMINATION - 100%: A job-related oral examination may be conducted to evaluate and compare participating applicants knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Applicants must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.
If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an oral examination will not be conducted. Instead, a score of 70% will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.
ELIGIBILITY LIST: Candidates who score seventy percent (70%) or higher on the oral examination will be placed on an eligible list for one (1) year.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Prior to actual appointment from the eligible list, the successful candidate will be required to pass a thorough background investigation, conducted by the sheriffs human resources bureau which may also includes a polygraph examination. Background investigation findings may be a basis for removal from the eligible list. To speak to a sheriffs office representative concerning the background investigation process, call (805) 654-2375.
For further information about this recruitment, please contact Melissa Kurtz by email at melissa.kurtz@venturacounty.gov or phone (805) 654-5080.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE
VENTURA COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION
(VCDSA)
To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.
Union Codes: DSD, DSE, DGS, DSS
01
Please note: You are applying for a position within a law enforcement agency. If you are successful in the application, testing and selection process, you will undergo a thorough background investigation prior to receiving an offer of employment. The following are some of the more common reasons for disqualification from the background investigation:
02
Please provide the total hours of helicopter pilot-in-command (PIC is actual time on flight controls) you possess including the primary aircraft, agency name, and from/to dates. DO NOT include co-pilot, second-in-command, or dual hours or CFI hours. If none, please indicate "None."
03
Have you been employed as a helicopter pilot for at least one (1) year? If yes, list name of operator/agency, from/to dates and your title. If no, please indicate "No."
04
How many hours of PIC helicopter experience in mountainous terrain above 4,000 feet MSL do you possess? Include name of agency, from/to dates, number of hours, primary aircraft, and name of mountainous areas you have worked in and landed in. If none, please indicate "None."
05
How many hours of PIC helicopter offshore/over water experience do you possess? Include name of agency, from/to dates, primary aircraft, and areas you have flown over. If none, please indicate "None."
06
Do you possess PIC helicopter experience suppressing wildland fires? If yes, please include name of agency, number of hours, and from/to dates, and types of missions. If no, please indicate "No."
07
Do you possess PIC helicopter experience performing rescues? If yes, please include agency name, number of hours, from/to dates, primary aircraft, and types of rescues. If no, please indicate "No."
08
Do you possess a valid USDA/USDI Interagency Pilot and/or Cal Fire qualification card or cooperators letter of authorization with Reconnaissance and Survey, Mountainous Terrain, Low Level, External Loads, Fire Suppression, Aerial Ignition, and Water Dropping? If yes, please provide the type of helicopter(s), approved operations, and date(s) of approval. If no, please indicate "No."
09
Do you possess flight time experience operating a Bell medium (205 212 412)? If yes, how many hours, type of hours (PIC, co-pilot, second-in-command, or dual), name of agency, and from/to dates. If no, please indicate "No."
10
Do you possess flight time experience operating a Bell 206? If yes, how many hours, type of hours (PIC, co-pilot, second-in-command, or dual), name of agency, and from/to dates. If no, please indicate "No."
11
Do you possess flight time experience in a Sikorsky UH60 or S70? If yes, how many hours, types of hours (PIC, co-pilot, second in command, or dual), name of agency and from/to dates. If no, please indicate "No."
12
Do you possess flight time experience in multi engine helicopters? If yes, how many hours, types of hours (PIC, co-pilot, second in command, or dual), name of agency and from/to dates. If no, please indicate "No."
13
Do you possess any night flying experience in turbine helicopters? If yes, list number of hours, type of hours (e.g. PIC, co-pilot, second-in-command, or dual), name of agency, and from/to dates. If no, please indicate "No."
14
Do you possess any training and/or experience utilizing night vision goggles? If yes, please describe experience including agency name and from/to dates. If no, please indicate "No."
15
Sheriffs pilots must be able to work rotating shifts and be available for stand-by, callbacks, and emergencies. If selected, will you be able to work this type of schedule?
16
Have you ever had an aircraft accident or incident? If yes, briefly describe the circumstances including the date, type of aircraft, and location. If no, please indicate "No."
17
Do you possess a valid FAA Flight Instructor Certificate for helicopters, or military equivalent? If no, please indicate "No."
18
Does your logbook support ALL of your listed experience?
19
You are required to submit copies (front & back) of the documents listed below within three (3) business days of the closing of the recruitment. Please indicate the method of submission by selecting one of the options below.
FAA commercial pilots certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter instrument rating or ATP certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter rating
Class I or II Airman Medical Certificate issued by an FAA - authorized medical examiner, or military equivalent
Copies of the above certificates are attached to my online application for this recruitment.
I will email my certificates melissa.kurtz@venturacounty.gov.
I am not able to provide a copy of the required certificates prior to this recruitment closing and understand that will disqualify my application from consideration.
20
Of the following, please indicate the certifications or qualifications you currently possess. Attach a copy (front & back) to your application.
Required Question
Employer Ventura County
Address 800 S. Victoria Avenue
LOC. #1970
Ventura, California, 93009
Phone (805) 654-5129
Website http://hr.venturacounty.gov