Sheriff Pilot

Sheriff Pilot

Salary

$99,361.60 - $120,827.20 Annually

Location

Merced County Sheriffs Department 2584 W. Sandy Mush Rd. or 700 W 22nd St., CA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

2600775

Department

Sheriff - Operations

Opening Date

10/22/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

Bargaining Unit

20D Management (Full-Time Only)

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Pilot Sheriff's Office aircraft in support of law enforcement activities, search- and-rescue, emergency response, special operations, and other Sheriff's Office activities.
• Support drug enforcement operations through real-time observations and aerial surveillance.
• Serve as Pilot in Command (PIC) and exercise authority over flight safety decisions during operations.
• Evaluate terrain, hazards, and operational conditions to support safe tactical deployments; manage aircraft systems during day, night, and adverse-weather operations.
• Provide aerial observation, real-time intelligence, and tactical support to deputies, detectives, and command staff.
• Support ground units during pursuits, searches, perimeter operations, and SWAT activations; maintain radio communication with dispatch, ground units, allied agencies, and aviation command staff.
• Ensure aviation operations comply with FAA regulations, state requirements, and Sheriff's Office policies.
• Maintain and audit required records, including flight logs, pilot training files, maintenance documentation, and FAA compliance records.
• Oversee documentation for incidents, missions, evidence retention, and video management related to aerial operations.
• Maintain proficiency in emergency procedures, including autorotation, system failures, and night operations; maintain proficiency in advanced flight operations such as low-level flight, nighttime operations, and confined area landings.
• Coordinate and oversee scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance.
• Track Aviation Unit staff training requirements, recurrent training schedules, medical certificates, and proficiency evaluations; assist in training Aviation Unit staff when assigned.
• Support Sheriff's Office briefing and debriefing processes by preparing mission materials, reviewing data, and distributing reports.
• May supervise Extra Help Sheriff Pilot staff.
• May be called to testify in court.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Graduation from high school or an acceptable equivalent certificate.

Experience:

Five hundred (500) hours of Pilot-in-Command time, which includes a minimum of fifty (50) hours of night flying.

Special Requirements:

Must possess and maintain a valid California driver license; must successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation.

Certification:

Possess one of the following valid and current certificates at the time of appointment and maintain:

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot Certificate with single engine aircraft rating, and possession of at least a valid and current Class II Airman's Medical Certificate issued by an FAA authorized medical examiner.
• FAA Airline Transport Pilots Certificate with possession of a valid and current Class II Airmans Medical Certificate issued by an FAA authorized medical examiner.
• FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with single engine helicopter rating and sufficient training and proficiency in agency aircraft; Bell 206B, and Bell UH-1h, to be operated under FAR Part 61 Flight Rules.

Desirable:

• Possession of an Instrument Rating.
• Certified Flight Instructor rating with Instrument Instructor rating.
• Prior law enforcement experience or training.

Essential Functions

• Conduct tactical and administrative law enforcement flight operations during day or night, over all types of terrain, in all types of weather conditions, and in all types of airspace.
• Safely operate aircraft in accordance with federal, state, and local aviation regulations, policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate records; review records and assess aircraft needs; follow departmental practices and policies.
• Perform the duties of an aircraft Pilot-in-Command under the direction of the Sheriff or his authorized representative.
• Safely operate the aircraft during hours of darkness.
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision, and color perception.
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination; normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
• Maintain a current FAA medical certificate required for the position and aircraft.
• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
• Frequent use of data entry device including repetitive hand and arm motion.
• Communicate effectively with others in person, in writing, and through various communication devices and systems.
• Work and exercise good judgment in emergency, hazardous and stressful situations; apply first aid and CPR.
• Perform job duties under stressful conditions.
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Appropriately represent the County, the Sheriff and the Sheriff's Office with the community.
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
• Kneel, bend, twist, squat, balance and crawl.
• Work any shift including days, evening, nights, weekends, and holidays; be on stand-by during off-duty hours as assigned and report to duty within 30 minutes, or as otherwise directed by the Sheriff's Office.
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and supervision and training.

• Administration practices of federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration pertaining to the use of aviation assets.

• Flight control systems and equipment; terrain, weather, and flying conditions in California.

• Airborne Law Enforcement Operations including surveillance techniques, piloting skills, navigation, safety, maintenance, and training.

• The general geography and topography of Merced County.

• Mountain aircraft flying.

• Basic math to compute weight and balance.

• Basic recordkeeping practices.

Ability to:

• Pilot and patrol urban, rural and mountain areas while maintaining safe flying conditions.

• Effectively supervise, schedule and train subordinate staff.

• Interpret rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

• Prepare and review clear, concise and comprehensive written reports, including detailed and accurate descriptions.

• Work effectively under physical and mental stress and/or pressure, in potentially hazardous situations.

• Analyze situations accurately and adapt quickly and effectively to emergency situations with reasonable courses of action.

Why Merced County? A message from the CEO:

HOLIDAYS & LEAVES

MANAGEMENT LEAVE

May receive, depending upon classification, 96 hours per Fiscal Year.

VACATION

10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours). Optional annual sell back of a portion of accumulated vacation leave hours (maximum - 40 hours).

SICK LEAVE

0.0625 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 16 days (130 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria.

HOLIDAYS

Twelve paid holidays annually plus two optional holidays.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

Five (5) regularly scheduled consecutive workdays.

INSURANCE

HEALTH INSURANCE

Medical Insurance - Merced County offers multiple Medical Plans and contributes towards employee and dependent premiums.

• Anthem 500 EPO
• Anthem 1500 EPO
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) with Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) without Health Savings Account (HSA)

Dental Insurance - Delta Dental

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

Vision Insurance - VSP

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

DISABILITY INSURANCE

Management Disability Insurance - Unit 20 Unrepresented Management Levels A-E - 100% premium paid by employer

LIFE INSURANCE

County-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

• Unit 20 Unrepresented Management:
• Level A & B $85,000
• Level C $55,000
• Level D & E $35,000

Voluntary Term and Whole Life Insurance are available - premium paid by employee

RETIREMENT

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pre-tax or post-tax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable.

MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION

The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other provisions of the California Government Code. MCERA members also pay into Social Security. The applicable benefit formula is dependent upon your hire date with an MCERA employer; your pension amount will be determined by your age, years of service and final compensation amount.

EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

Anthem EAP services provide up to five face-to-face counseling sessions per incident and provides a toll-free "800" hotline available 24/7 for emergencies and crisis intervention. EAP services include counseling services, legal services, financial services and work-life resource services.

EMPLOYEE TICKETS, COUPONS, and DISCOUNTS

The County of Merced has partnered with Employee Savings Tickets to provide discounted coupons and tickets for all county employees to attractions throughout the state and out-of-state. The discounts and coupons are available for shopping, movies, sporting events, theme parks, zoos and aquariums and much more.

THIS BULLETIN IS NOT A CONTRACT AND DOES NOT CREATE CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE. THIS BULLETIN IS SUBJECT OF BEING SUPPLEMENTED, MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN OR OTHERWISE CHANGED PENDING LABOR AGREEMENTS AND/OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEEM NECESSARY.

For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Human Resources at 209.385.7356.

01

Have you completed at least Five hundred (500) hours of Pilot-in-Command time, including at least fifty (50) hours of night flying?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot Certificate with single engine aircraft rating, and a valid and current Class II Airmans Medical Certificate issued by an FAA authorized medical examiner?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you Possess a valid FAA Airline Transport Pilots Certificate with possession of a valid and current Class II Airmans Medical Certificate issued by an FAA authorized medical examiner?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess a valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot Certificate with single engine helicopter rating?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Merced County

Address 2222 M Street

Merced, California, 95340

Phone (209) 385-7682

(209) 385-7682

Website http://www.countyofmerced.com