Job Details

Sheriff Aircraft Pilot

Kern County employees provide opportunities that are purposeful to our community. Every employee and every action contributes to the improvement and strengthening of our county. To learn more about Kern County, click here.

The position requires examination, appraisal, and fitness for the work based on training, education, experience, interest, and personal fitness. Applicants must attain at least a 70% score on each phase of the examination process.

Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent, and the following certifications/licenses:

Valid and current FAA Second Class Medical Certificate issued by an authorized medical examiner (AME).

Valid California Motor Vehicle Driver's License.

Option I: Required helicopter flight experience:

1. FAA Commercial or Airline Transport Pilot with Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating.
2. Minimum 2000 hours PIC Helicopter flight time.
3. Minimum 500 hours in medium (Type 2) turbine powered helicopters.
4. Minimum 500 hours PIC in mountainous terrain, routinely making takeoffs and landings to unimproved landing areas at density altitudes exceeding 4500' MSL.
5. Night Vision Goggle endorsement with a minimum of 200 hours PIC flight time utilizing Night Vision Goggle devices.
6. Minimum 500 hours PIC performing low-level missions in law-enforcement patrol, search and rescue, vertical reference operations over mountainous or forested areas, or comparable fire service or military operations.

Desired Helicopter Flight Experience:

• Certified Flight Instructor with Rotorcraft-Helicopter endorsement.
• Night Vision Goggle Instructor endorsement.
• Vertical reference and external load operations experience.
• UH-1H or other similar Bell Helicopter.

OR

Option II: Required Fixed-Wing experience:

1. FAA Commercial or Airline Transport Pilot with Airplane-Multi Engine Land (AMEL) rating.
2. Airplane Instrument Rating.
3. Minimum 1500 hours PIC Airplane.
4. Minimum 200 hours in PIC Category and Class (ASEL or AMEL).
5. Minimum 100 hours of PIC night flight time.
6. Minimum 75 hours of PIC flight time solely by reference to instruments (actual/simulated).

Desired Fixed-Wing Experience:

• Certified Flight Instructor Airplane.
• Instrument Flight Instructor Airplane (CFII).
• Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI).

Physical standards include a physical examination, vision, hearing, and character requirements.

This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time without notice. Please ensure all applicable certificates are attached to your application.

Kern County is an ADA compliant and an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

For more information regarding Kern County's recruitment process, please see our FAQ page.

Kern County Sheriff's Office will seek and retain qualified individuals who maintain a high moral character, are ethical in all facets of life, and are trustworthy and professional when serving our community.

To learn more about the 7 pillars of the ideal candidate, please click here.

Kern County offers benefits including health insurance, retirement program, deferred compensation, social security, employee assistance program, and voluntary benefits.

Paid holiday leave: 12 set days (per calendar year).