Examination: Senior Aviation Officer

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Working title
Senior Aviation Officer
Monthly salary
$12,936.00 - $15,225.00 per Month
Exam #
5002
Deadline
03/27/2026
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Position Description

00101052 - SENIOR AVIATION OFFICER

Incumbents at this level supervise, plan, organize, and direct CAL FIRE's Aviation Management Program and are responsible for the overall administration and oversight of the Aviation Management Program contractual agreements to assure adherence to terms and conditions, as well as performance; provide primary leadership for the Aviation Management Program; ensure that missions are conducted in a safe manner and in compliance with Federal, State, and Department regulations, and in compliance with manufacturer directives. Incumbents approve minimum standards and contractual specifications; coordinate with CAL FIRES's Management Services on bid solicitation and the negotiation of contracts with aircraft operators; evaluate operational requirements of aerial firefighting aircraft; conduct boards of review on incidents and accidents involving aircraft and participate in joint-agency boards of review; represents the department in meetings, conferences, and public appearances related to the Aviation Management Program; maintain liaison with other governmental agencies, contractors, and other organizations; plan and administer the statewide budget for the entire Aviation Management Program; administer the Aviation Safety Program statewide; advise, consult, and make recommendations to department executive management concerning aviation policies and procedures; provide guidance and supervision to Aviation Officers; and do other related work. Incumbents may pilot aircraft as necessary.

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.

00101052 - SENIOR AVIATION OFFICER

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 ATP Certificate with multi-engine land airplane ratings and instrument ratings. OR
  3. A valid FAA Commercial Airman Certificate with a helicopter-rotorcraft class rating. OR
  4. A valid ATP Certificate with helicopter-rotorcraft class rating. AND 

2,000 hours in-command of aircraft (fixed or rotary-wing).


AND

Either I

  1. One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Aviation Officer III (Flight Operations) or an Aviation Officer III (Maintenance). OR
  2. Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Aviation Officer II (Flight Operations) or an Aviation Officer II (Maintenance). OR
  3. Five years of broad and extensive experience with direct oversight of the operations and/or maintenance of 15 or more aircraft, at least two years of which has been in a managerial capacity in military, government, or commercial air services.

Or II

Possession of a valid A&P rating and a valid FAA IA.

AND

Either

  1. One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Aviation Officer III (Flight Operations) or an Aviation Officer III (Maintenance). OR
  2. Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Aviation Officer II (Flight Operations) or an Aviation Officer II (Maintenance). OR
  3. Five years of broad and extensive experience with direct oversight for the operations and/or maintenance of 15 or more aircraft, at least two years of which has been in a managerial capacity in military, government, or commercial air services.

 

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: 3/27/2026.

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):

  • SENIOR AVIATION OFFICER - Open

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements by the final filing date March 27, 2026, 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 and 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 and 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.

To apply for this examination, please complete and submit the following:

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

2) The Senior Aviation Officer In-Command Flight Hours & Certifications Supplemental Questionnaire is REQUIRED and MUST be completed and returned with your State Application (STD. 678) to be considered for this examination.

3)  A copy of a VALID, current second-class Airman’s Medical Certificate issued by an FAA authorized examiner.

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

Senior Aviation Officer

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

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

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.