Position InformationThe Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Helicopter Unit is now hiring!
Starting salary up to $76.02/hour ( $158,662.86 /year) and a competitive total compensation package!* Plus, a $20,000 signing bonus^
Precision Reference Vertical "Long-line" Pilot-In-Command Experience Required. What We Offer Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
- Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, and 12 paid holidays
- County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
- Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
- Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education
^Hiring Incentives The Sheriff's Office is currently offering a $20,000 signing bonus paid over three installments during the first two years of service. Other incentives that may be offered if applicable include:
- Advanced paid vacation and/or sick leave (up to 24 hours per leave type)
- Relocation reimbursement of up to $5,000
What You Bring
As the ideal candidate for this position, you possess: - Extensive rotary wing aviation experience with regards to law enforcement and search and rescue operations
- Exceptional vertical reference long line experience**
- Experience with night vision goggle operations and/or FAA Night Vision Goggle (NVG) PIC endorsement
- Connections with the aviation industry through staying informed of latest safety occurrences with similar aircraft, best industry safety practices and fly neighborly techniques
- Aircraft maintenance knowledge
- Strong communication, problem solving and public speaking skills
- Critical thinking skills with a common-sense approach
- The ability to work closely with unit crew members during day-to-day operations, as well as familiarity with CRM (Crew Resource Management)
- Situational awareness with the ability to perform duties in complex, rapidly evolving situations
- Intermediate Microsoft Office skills
- Positive attitude and a desire to learn as well as a willingness to pass on knowledge and experience
**The Sheriff's Office defines vertical reference as: The use of a belly mounted cargo hook to carry loads on a 100+ foot long sling, with you, the pilot, being fully responsible for the safe and accurate placement of the load while looking straight down below the helicopter at the load, and placing it in oftentimes precise positions without any assistance from another member of your crew. Please note that the skills required to perform vertical reference/long-line is very different than hoist operations.
NOTE: As part of the Sheriff's Office selection process, the most qualified candidates will be required to perform a flight proficiency test. Please visit the Helicopter Unit to learn more about the efforts to aid in protecting and securing the half-million residents within the 1,768 square miles of Sonoma County.
Join Our Team Working closely with unit crew members to complete unit missions (law enforcement, search and rescue, medical evacuations, and fire suppression operations), the Sheriff's Helicopter Pilot pilots the aircraft in safe manner consistent with Sheriff’s Office policy and law. To complete these missions, shifts may include weekends and holidays. Additional responsibilities include:
- Identifying aircraft maintenance needs and collaborating with maintenance provider
- Maintaining knowledge and familiarity with FAA and Sheriff’s Office policies
- Participating in regular on-duty trainings with crew to ensure competency
Henry 1 and the crew are based out of the Charles M. Schultz (Sonoma County) Airport in Santa Rosa, work a 7 on/ 7 off schedule, are compensated for stand-by and overtime hours, and on-call during their work week when not at the hangar.
As a technical, non-peace officer position in the Sheriff's Office the Pilot reports to, and is responsible for assisting, the Sergeant in charge of the Helicopter Unit. The unit consists of a Sergeant (Supervisor), tactical flight officers (Deputies), two helicopter pilots, and several extra-help paramedics. Additional pilots and paramedics may be hired on an extra-help basis to augment the crew. Incumbents in this class will serve a one-year probationary period. The Civil Service title of this position is Helicopter Pilot.
*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Association Memorandum of Understanding (SCLEA MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory .
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED. Minimum QualificationsExperience and Education: Any combination of education, training, and experience that clearly demonstrates possession of the knowledge and abilities for the position. Normally, this would include graduation from high school or an acceptable equivalent certificate, and 2,000 hours of turbine helicopter Pilot-in-Command time, which includes 300 hours of mountain flying, 100 hours of night flying, and 200 hours of precision vertical reference long line flying.
License and Certificate: Possession of a valid Federal Aviation Administration (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 at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Other Requirements: Applicants must successfully complete a thorough background investigation prior to appointment including a polygraph test; emergency operations may require working 16 hour shifts under difficult conditions such as fire and floods.
Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesConsiderable knowledge of: safe helicopter operating procedures; Department of Transportation, FAA, and other regulations governing civil aircraft movements; flight control systems and equipment; mountain helicopter flying; precision vertical reference long-line flying; minor maintenance and repair of helicopters; basic math to compute hauling weights; basic recordkeeping practices; terrain, weather, and flying conditions in California.
Ability to:Safely operate aircraft; perform the duties of a helicopter Pilot-in-Command under the direction of the Sheriff or his authorized representative; safely and expeditiously perform aerial rescues utilizing precision vertical reference long line techniques with external loads; safely operate the helicopter during hours of darkness, with and without the use of night vision goggles, including approaches to a landing and departures from off-airport locations; conduct water retardant bucket operations; learn local geography; maintain accurate records; review records and assess aircraft needs; learn and follow departmental practices and policies; work effectively and efficiently with departmental personnel and other external contacts; exercise good judgment in emergency and stressful situations; communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing; work in hazardous, and stressful conditions; continue to learn new techniques; wear protective clothing and equipment; meet physical fitness requirements to maintain FAA license and perform the essential functions of the position; meet and maintain pilot weight limitations not to exceed 230 pounds, or as otherwise directed by the Department, to ensure compliance with aircraft maximum weight restrictions; 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 Department; refrain from activities which might impair the ability to perform assigned duties while on duty or on stand by.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.Responses to supplemental questions will be used in assessing minimum qualifications. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient.The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
An
Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.
BACKGROUND PROCESS Being part of the Sheriff's Office and being expected to keep the public safe requires a thorough background investigation process. This process includes an assessment of prior work history, verifying educational experiences, court reports, public records searches, and understanding past patterns relating to drug usage, financial patterns, etc. This entails gathering a significant amount of information from job candidates and speaking to former employers, friends, family members, etc. Polygraphs, drug tests, and medical and physical examinations are also part of this process. Candidates must be honest and forthcoming about information that may arise during the background process. Deception during any portion of this process is grounds for disqualification, even after employment. This process can take anywhere from 3-5 months. Many factors are taken into consideration and one should not assume a credit issue or prior drug use is automatically disqualifying. Candidates will be given the opportunity to present mitigating information they feel should be considered. You are encouraged to be as responsive as possible while this process is taking place to help expedite the timeline, and we encourage you to stay patient and interested in this great career opportunity while this process is taking place.
You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
Please read the Sheriff's Office Pre-Employment Drug Use Guidelines for further information.
HOW TO APPLY Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: JL
HR Technician: EV
IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.
COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL*These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
Paid Time Off :Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
Health Plan :Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generousCounty contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.
Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .
IRS 457 Plan : Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical : County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
Student Loan Debt Relief :County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.
Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.
For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.
*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
Closing Date/Time: Continuous
