Fire Pilot
Salary
$84,926.40 - $114,483.20 Annually
Location
Division 1/Battalion 8/Fire Station 41 - 3900 Artesia Avenue, Fullerton, CA 90621, CA
Job Type
FULL-TIME
Job Number
2026-67-DS
Department
AIR OPERATIONS
Division
OPERATIONS - 1
Opening Date
07/15/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
DESCRIPTION
This classification will receive the following base wage increases:
CLOSING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment with a first application review of Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early in the recruitment process.
Recruitment and Selection Schedule of Events:
Dates listed above are subject to change based on the needs of the Authority.
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.
CLASS SUMMARY
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.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
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.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
To view a full summary of the essential functions for this position, please use he link provided below.
Fire Pilot
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (position requirements at entry):
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS (position requirements at entry):
This classification is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program, which periodically provides Risk Management with the incumbents Driver License record and status.
HIGHLY DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
KNOWLEDGE (position requirements at entry):
Knowledge of:
SKILLS (position requirements at entry):
Skill in:
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
ONLINE APPLICATION
The Human Resources Department reviews all initial application materials to identify qualified applicants. The OCFA reserves the right to refer only the better qualified applicants if the number of applicants is high. If the number of applicants is high, the review process may include a secondary screening (by a panel of job knowledge experts) of the applications and/or supplemental questionnaires in which the better qualified applicants are referred to the next phase of the recruitment process. Because recruitment processes vary, applicants are advised to thoroughly review the job announcement before submitting their online application materials.
PANEL ORAL INTERVIEW
The minimum passing score is 80%. The panel interview will have a weight of 100% of the candidates overall score. Candidates will be required to present proof of all certification requirements.
FIRE PILOT CHECK FLIGHT EXAMINATION
Candidates who successfully complete the oral interview will be invited to participate in the Fire Pilot Check Flight will be administered to candidates who successfully pass the panel interview. The Fire Pilot Check Flight is a pass/fail event.
CHIEFS INTERVIEW
Candidates who successfully complete the Chiefs interview may be invited to begin the pre-employment background process.
Human Resources will notify qualified candidates by EMAIL of the scheduled dates, times, and locations for the events listed above.
ELIGIBLE LIST
Placement on the eligible list will be established based on a successful completion of the selection process listed above. The eligibility list will remain in effect for a period of one (1) year from the date of establishment or until all the names on the list are exhausted. The eligibility list may be extended or abolished at the discretion of the Assistant Chief, Human Resources.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Ability to pass a medical examination for public safety personnel whose duties demand good fitness, strength, agility and vision; operate both as a member of a team and independently at incidents of uncertain duration; wear required safety gear including but not limited to flight helmet, Nomex flight suit and personal flotation device in the course of performing duties; lift or carry a minimum of 45 pounds; 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; be exposed to trauma victims; operate motorized equipment, hoses, pumps, fire appliances and fittings, office equipment, radios and other communications devices; operate in environments of high noise, outside weather conditions, near moving mechanical parts; in confined spaces; perform physically demanding work in hot, humid atmospheres while wearing equipment that significantly impairs body-cooling mechanisms; perform a variety of tasks on slippery, wet surfaces; 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.
NOTE: The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the department.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) ACCOMMODATION
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, anyone who needs an ADA accommodation for the purposes of employment testing should contact the assigned recruiter, Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at (714) 573-6807 or via email at dukesteppe@ocfa.org no later than 72 hours prior to any portion of the examination process.
WITHDRAWING FROM RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Whenever an applicant chooses to withdraw from a recruitment process, he/she is required to submit an email notification to Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at dukesteppe@ocfa.org requesting a withdrawal from the process. The email to the recruiter must include the applicants current phone number.
QUESTIONS
All questions regarding this position should be directed to Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at (714) 573-6807 or via email at dukesteppe@ocfa.org.
NOTE
The provisions of this publication do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision in this publication may be modified or revoked without notice.
Please note: This summary reflects the benefits for shift employees assigned to a 56-hour average duty week. For benefits information related to staff assignments (40-hour workweek), please refer to the OCPFA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Orange County Professional Firefighters Association (OCPFA) Local 3631: This classification is represented by the OCPFA Local 3631. Please visit http://www.ocfirefighters.org for more information.
Merit Salary Increases
Employees are eligible for an initial merit salary increase (1 to 4 steps) on the first day of the pay period following completion of fifty-two (52) weeks of service, and thereafter annually based on their work performance and until they reach the top of their 12-step salary range.
Health Benefits
Pursuant to a Health Plan Agreement, the Authority contributes to the OCPFA medical benefit trust fund for health insurance and other related benefits. Brown Insurance Services (BIS) is the administrator for these benefits. The current contribution to the medical benefit trust fund will continue through 3/1/2028 in the amount of $2,199.49/month for "actively employed" enrollee members of the unit.
Retirement
All regular OCFA employees are members of the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) - a defined benefit retirement program. Employees are enrolled in one of the following retirement formulas based on date of hire.
Legacy Safety Members: Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who establish reciprocity with OCERS are enrolled in the 3% at age 55 retirement formula (Plan R). Please visit OCERS to view compensation and benefit limits. https://www.ocers.org/post/compensation-and-benefit-limits
New Safety Members: Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 without reciprocity are enrolled in the 2.7% at age 57 retirement formula (Plan V). Please visit OCERS to view compensation and benefit limits. https://www.ocers.org/post/compensation-and-benefit-limits
For more information about OCERS retirement, please visit OCERS, or view the Retirement Plan HERE.
Deferred Compensation
Employees may voluntarily participate in the Authority's deferred compensation plan. This plan is provided by Nationwide Retirement Services and allows for pre- and post-tax deferrals. This plan is 100% employee funded.
Retiree Medical Savings Plan
Employees participate in an employer sponsored retirement Healthcare Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) with a contribution of 3.0% of base salary. Firefighter Trainees and Handcrew Firefighters do not participate in this benefit.
OCPFA Supplemental Retiree Medical Plan
Employees contribute 1.0% of their base salary towards the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association (OCPFA) Supplemental Retiree Medical Plan Trust Fund.
Social Security
Orange County Fire Authority employees are not covered under the provisions of Federal Social Security (OASDI); therefore, they are not required to contribute 6.2% of salary towards Social Security.
Medicare
Employees contribute 1.45% to Medicare. Employees whose wages exceed $200,000 in a calendar year shall contribute an additional 0.9%.
Educational Incentive Pay
Employees with college-level semester units or a bachelor's degree are eligible for educational incentive pay as follows:
60+ college-level semester units - 2.5% of base salary per month; or
90+ college-level semester units - 5% of base salary per month; or
Baccalaureate Degree - 7.5% of base salary per month
The maximum educational incentive pay an employee shall receive is 7.5% of base salary. To receive educational incentive pay, the employee must submit a written request to receive the educational incentive pay and submit satisfactory proof of qualification (for example, grade cards, transcripts, and/or other verification from an accredited, college-level educational institution). Employees must provide official transcripts for verification.
Hand Crew Firefighters are not eligible for educational incentive Pay.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Pay
Employees (other than Firefighter Trainees) who maintain an active State of California EMT certification will receive, in addition to their regular salary, seven (9%) percent of each employee's base salary per month, prorated on an hourly basis for regular hours paid.
Other Specialty Pays
Employees who move into special assignments at OCFA, or who possess specialized skills, may be eligible for other specialty pays. Please refer to the OCPFA MOU and Side Letter Agreements for further details.
Tuition Reimbursement
Tuition reimbursement is $2,000 per fiscal year to cover certain expenses associated with academic pursuits.
Holidays
Employees in the Firefighters Unit observe 13 holidays within the calendar year:
New Years Day
Martin Luther King Jr.s Birthday
Lincolns Birthday
Presidents Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Shift employees receive 11.2 hours holiday pay of which 0.7 hours is designated to a Union Time Bank for Union release time.
Vacation
Vacation accrual is based on hours of completed continuous service (regular hours) exclusive of overtime. For shift employees:
Sick Leave
Sick leave is is based on hours of completed continuous service (regular hours) exclusive of overtime. For shift employees:
Uniforms
The Authority provides uniforms to employees.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
The OCFA offers regular, limited-term, and probationary employees both a Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), which allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars into an account that can be used throughout the year on qualified medical or dependent care expenses. Participants pay fewer taxes and take home more money. For 2022, the maximum employee contribution is $2,750 for eligible medical expenses. The maximum employee contribution is $5,000 for eligible dependent care expenses.
WEFIT Program
The WEFIT Program is mandatory/non-punitive. The OCFA shall provide all five (5) of the following aspects of the WEFIT Program:
Pet Discount Program
OCFA has partnered with United Pet Care to offer a pet healthcare program. This program helps employees reduce the cost of escalating veterinary bills at an affordable rate. All pets are eligible regardless of their age or medical condition.
Benevolent Association
Employees have the option to join OCFA's Benevolent Association which was created to "Take Care of Their Own." Included in your $8.00 per pay period cost is $10,000 Member Death Benefit, $4,000 Dependent Death Benefit, $30,000 Annual Scholarships for Members and Dependents, Hardship Grants/Loans, Annual Picnic for Members, Holiday Ball, and Retiree Tribute. In addition, Discount Offers- Recreation/Amusement Parks, fitness 19 and 24-Hour Fitness gym membership, discount movie tickets, Angels Baseball game with tailgate party, etc. Membership also allows access to very good supplemental insurances of many types, including, Long Term Disability, Long Term Care, various AFLAC (ICU, Cancer, Accident Injury, CSFA membership, Living Trusts and more. The Family Auxiliary and KIDS Fund (provides monetary assistance only to kids of members), both operate under the Benevolent Association.
Updated 07/2026
This benefit summary is intended to provide an easy way for current and prospective employees to access fringe benefit information, including voluntary options. This summary is intended to be accurate, but it is not an official plan document, and has no legal or binding effect as an expressed or implied contract, or otherwise, and does not alter or amend any provision of the Memoranda of Understanding, Personnel and Salary Resolution, retirement contract, insurance policy contract, or any other official document of the Orange County Fire Authority, including Standard Operating Procedures and General Orders. All insurance benefits described in the summary are subject to the terms and limitations of the Orange County Fire Authoritys insurance contracts with individual insurance providers. Should you have any questions pertaining to information in this summary, please contact the Human Resources Department at (714) 573-6800.
01
The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) uses e-mail to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of applications. We do so as part of our ongoing efforts to increase efficiency, conserve resources, and minimize delays and costs. Therefore, as an applicant, please ensure that the e-mail address you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We recommend that you do not share e-mail addresses with other individuals who may inadvertently delete important communications sent to you. Spam or other filters should be adjusted to accept e-mails from ocfa.org and governmentjobs.com. Please read each e-mail notice carefully and in a timely manner. Follow further instructions, if any. Please acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the above.
02
This supplemental questionnaire is designed to obtain specific information about your qualifications for the position. Your responses will be rated and only the best-matched candidates will continue in the process. If you do not have experience or license/certification in a specific area, please indicate "No." You must possess the minimum qualifications and licenses/certifications for your application to be considered. Do you understand and agree?
03
Do you possess four thousand (4,000) logged hours of flying time in helicopters as Pilot-In-Command, including experience in power-off-auto rotational landings.
04
Of the 4,000 logged hours of flying time in helicopters as Pilot-In-Command, have at least fifteen hundred (1,500) hours of this time 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?
05
Do you possess a valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter rating?
06
Do you possess a valid Class 2 or Class 1 FAA Medical Certificate?
07
Do you possess a valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Helicopter Instrument Rating?
08
Do you possess at least 50 hours of Night Vision Goggle flight?
09
Do you possess at least 50 hours of instrument time?
10
Do you possess Bell Medium Helicopter flight experience?
11
If you possess Bell Medium Helicopter flight experience, how many flight hours of experience do you possess? If you do not possess Bell Medium Helicopter flight experience, please write NA.
12
Do you possess Sikorsky S70/UH60 Helicopter flight experience?
13
If you possess Sikorsky S70/UH60 Helicopter flight experience, how many flight hours of experience do you possess? If you do not possess Sikorsky S70/UH60 Helicopter flight experience, please write NA.
Required Question
Employer Orange County Fire Authority
Address 1 Fire Authority Road
Irvine, California, 92602
Phone (714) 573-6800
Website http://www.ocfa.org