Firefighter Rotorcraft Pilot

FIREFIGHTER ROTORCRAFT PILOT –

Requisition No: 867883
Agency:
Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title:

FIREFIGHTER ROTORCRAFT PILOT –
Pay Plan:
Career Service
Position Number:
Salary: $75,000.12 – $85,000.24
Posting Closing Date: 01/11/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Department
:
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Florida Forest Service

Open Competitive Opportunity

Location
:
Negotiable between Ocala and Tallahassee.

Contact
:
Francis Neeley (850) 509‑0598

• FAA certification as a Commercial Pilot with Rotorcraft/Helicopter and Instrument‑Helicopter ratings.
• Logged 1,000 hours of helicopter flight time, including 500 hours on turbine helicopters.
• Current FAA Class 1 or Class 2 Medical Certificate.
• Florida Statute 633 compliance: high school graduate (or equivalent), at least 18 years of age, no felony/misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, fingerprints on file with the Division of State Fire Marshal, good moral character, satisfactory medical examination, and non‑user of tobacco or tobacco products for at least one year immediately preceding application.
• Valid driver licence.
• Must live within 30 miles of the chosen headquarters throughout employment.

Special Note
:
Florida Statute 633 requires a Certificate of Compliance, which includes satisfactory completion of a firefighting training program approved by the Division. No employee shall obtain permanent status without this certificate.

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed; a resume is not a substitute.
• Work history, duties, hours, supervisors, and formal education must be filled out.
• Responses to qualifying questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

Highly skilled position requiring the ability to safely suppress fire and conduct prescribed burns as pilot in command of single‑engine turbine helicopters.

Responsibilities include:

• Perform aerial suppression of wildfires in initial and reinforced attack by transporting water with the helicopter, flying over fires, and releasing water on fire.
• Provide aerial intelligence on fire behavior and tactical effectiveness during fire operations.
• Conduct aerial ignition missions utilizing helicopters and devices to set controlled burns, reducing fuels for wildfires.
• Predict fire behavior based on weather and other indicators during suppression or prescribed burning missions.
• Transport firefighting personnel and aerial observers to wildfire locations.
• Perform preflight inspection, check weather forecasts, file flight plans, and prepare post‑flight duties including discrepancy lists, fueling, and aircraft security.
• Attend internal training sessions and complete training from outside instructors to maintain FAA ratings and instrument/visual flight rule proficiency.
• Maintain and assist aircraft maintenance personnel with inspections, maintenance, and operational checks.
• Conduct training for other personnel on safe aircraft use for assigned missions.
• Perform any other related duties as required.

• Pre‑employment comprehensive medical examination.
• Pre‑employment physical fitness test.

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

Successful applicants must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting. The use of Artificial Intelligence tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews is strictly prohibited.

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

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package includes:

• 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 with employer contributions (see )
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit  For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the…