Examination: Aviation Officer III (Flight Operations)

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Working title
Aviation Officer III (Flight Operations)
Monthly salary
$9,050.00 - $11,739.00 per Month
Exam #
4438
Deadline
09/09/2025
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Position Description

00101053 - AVIATION OFFICER III (FLIGHT OPERATIONS)

Incumbents at this level plan and direct departmental staff and contractors in the use of aircraft; perform contract development, implementation, and administration; provide advice and counsel to the Senior Aviation Officer regarding aircraft operations; recommend and assist in developing policies and guidelines in all phases of flight operation for State-owned and contracted aircraft; develop, implement, and oversee flight standards and training programs; ensure that all pilots who fly department aircraft comply with minimum training and proficiency requirements; as needed, act as relief and primary pilot of State-owned and contracted aircraft in the performance of fire suppression and vegetation management projects; provide technical assistance to aircraft accident investigative teams and may recommend policy changes as a result; assist in the acquisition of aircraft; monitor, evaluate, and make recommendations for improving aircraft equipment, safety equipment, and the air program relative to flight operations; plan and administer the budget for the flight operations program; and do other related work. This classification will provide guidance and function as a lead person to Aviation Officers II (Flight Operations) in carrying out their duties.

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

00101053 - AVIATION OFFICER III (FLIGHT OPERATIONS)

Possession of the following certificates:

A valid and current second-class Airman’s Medical Certificate issued by an FAA authorized examiner, AND

1. A valid FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with multi-engine land airplane and instrument ratings, OR

2. A valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate with multi-engine land airplane ratings and instrument ratings, OR

3. A valid FAA Commercial Airman Certificate with a helicopter-rotocraft class rating, OR

4. A valid ATP Certificate with helicopter-rotocraft class rating.


NOTE: YOU MUST PROVIDE A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE(S) LISTED ABOVE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS EXAMINATION.


AND

1,500 hours in-command of aircraft (fixed-or rotary-wing).

NOTE: TO PROVIDE HOURS IN COMMAND YOU MUST FILL OUT THE IN-COMMAND/LOW-LEVEL MISSION FLIGHT HOURS SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE (See link above).

AND

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Aviation Officer II (Flight Operations) or Aviation Officer II (Maintenance). (Applicants who have completed six months of service performing the duties of an Aviation Officer II (Flight Operations) or Aviation Officer II (Maintenance) will be admitted to the examination, but they must satisfactorily complete one year of this experience before they can be eligible for appointment.)

 

Or II

Two years of experience in government service performing watershed and fire protection duties which have included a full-time assignment as a base manager or an air attack coordinator during the declared fire season.

Or III

Five hundred additional hours in command of either fixed-or rotary-wing aircraft performing low-level missions (e.g., wildland fire control, external loads, medi-vac operations, search and rescue, aerial surveys, etc.).

AND

One year of experience in developing and directing training programs for pilot proficiency in use of aircraft in specialized air operations; or managerial experience in military, government, or commercial air services.

NOTE: APPLICANTS QUALIFYING UNDER PATTERN III MUST FILL OUT THE ADDITIONAL SECTIONS ON THE IN-COMMAND LOW LEVEL MISSION FLIGHT HOURS SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE (See link above).

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.

Final Filing Date: 9/9/2025.

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will not be accepted.

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.

If using the United States Postal Service (USPS) for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be postmarked and arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark and arrives after the final filing date, your application may not be accepted into the examination. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof the application was sent prior to the final filing date.

Who Should Apply

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • AVIATION OFFICER III (FLIGHT OPERATIONS) - Open

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements by the final filing date September 09, 2025, unless otherwise noted.

  • Once you have participated in this examination, you may not test again for six (6) months.
  • Applicants who have not passed probation in this classification are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

  • Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
    Examination Unit
    710 Riverpoint Ct.
    West Sacramento, CA 95605

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

  • Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
    Examination Unit
    710 Riverpoint Ct.
    West Sacramento, CA 95605
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

Please note the following:

1.) A State Application (STD 678) is REQUIRED and must be submitted.

2.) The Aviation Officer III (FO) Supplemental Questionnaire is REQUIRED and must be submitted with your application packet.

3.) Copy of a VALID, current second-class Airman's Medical Certificate issued by an FAA authorized examiner is REQUIRED and must be submitted.

4.) All applicants must include "from" and "to" employment dates (month/day/year), time base, and applicable civil service class titles on their STD 678. Applications received without this information may be rejected.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Application Link

Aviation Officer III (Flight Operations)

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

CAL FIRE Examination Unit
Examination Unit
710 Riverpoint Ct.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone: (916) 894-9580
CALFIREexams@fire.ca.gov

CAL FIRE Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
710 Riverpoint Ct.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone: (916) 767-8359
ReasonableAccommodations@fire.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.