What are the responsibilities and job description for the Forestry Fire Pilot position at California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)?
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California 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.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-514427
Position #(s):
542-116-1046-VAR
Working Title:
Forestry Fire Pilot
Classification:
FORESTRY FIRE PILOT
$7,948.00 - $10,488.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Santa Clara County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Facility:
Santa Clara Unit
Department Information
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California’s fire department and resource management agency. The organization is comprised of nearly 12,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California.
When you join CAL FIRE, you join a family of employees that function as a team. You will build trust and friendship with your co-workers, as together you respond to emergencies and challenging situations. CAL FIRE provides employees with a variety of career choices and opportunities. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!
Job Description And Duties
A new examination for this classification will be released soon but all interested applicants, regardless of eligibility, will need to apply to this Job Control.
For questions related to the duties of the position, please contact Deputy Chief Nick Giampaoli by phone at (408) 472-1601 or by email at nick.giampaoli@fire.ca.gov.
This position is located at the Alma Helitack Base in Los Gatos, CA.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Special Requirements
Possession of a valid Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) Commercial Airman Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter rating or a valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot's Certificate with a rotorcraft- helicopter rating.
Possession of a valid and current Class II Airman's Medical Certificate issued by an FAA authorized medical examiner.
Possession of a valid Driver's License of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 5/8/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring
Attn: CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring - FFP
135 Ridgway Avenue
Santa Rosa , CA 95401
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring
Attn: CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring - FFP
135 Ridgway Avenue
Santa Rosa , CA 95401
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
The State of California 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.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-514427
Position #(s):
542-116-1046-VAR
Working Title:
Forestry Fire Pilot
Classification:
FORESTRY FIRE PILOT
$7,948.00 - $10,488.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Santa Clara County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Facility:
Santa Clara Unit
Department Information
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California’s fire department and resource management agency. The organization is comprised of nearly 12,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California.
When you join CAL FIRE, you join a family of employees that function as a team. You will build trust and friendship with your co-workers, as together you respond to emergencies and challenging situations. CAL FIRE provides employees with a variety of career choices and opportunities. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!
Job Description And Duties
A new examination for this classification will be released soon but all interested applicants, regardless of eligibility, will need to apply to this Job Control.
For questions related to the duties of the position, please contact Deputy Chief Nick Giampaoli by phone at (408) 472-1601 or by email at nick.giampaoli@fire.ca.gov.
This position is located at the Alma Helitack Base in Los Gatos, CA.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Special Requirements
Possession of a valid Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) Commercial Airman Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter rating or a valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot's Certificate with a rotorcraft- helicopter rating.
Possession of a valid and current Class II Airman's Medical Certificate issued by an FAA authorized medical examiner.
Possession of a valid Driver's License of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 5/8/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring
Attn: CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring - FFP
135 Ridgway Avenue
Santa Rosa , CA 95401
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring
Attn: CAL FIRE Northern Region Hiring - FFP
135 Ridgway Avenue
Santa Rosa , CA 95401
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is required and must be included.
- Other - Authorization to Release Information Form (PO-299). This form may be found at:
- Other - Copy of your valid Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) Commercial Airman Certificate with Rotorcraft - Helicopter rating or valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot's Certificate with Totorcraft - Helicopter rating.
- Other - Copy of your valid and current Class II Airman's Medical Certificate issued by an FAA authorized Medical Examiner.
- Other - Official Flight Record indicating at least 50 hours as Pilot in Command in Holicopters in the past year.
- Other - Scanned copy of your pilot logbook.
- Other - If applicable, a copy of your most current California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), United States Department of the Interior (DOI), or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) pilot card.
- Other - Copy of the front and back of your valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Salary : $7,948 - $10,488