Cal Fire Aviation Program — McClellan Park, CA
Estimated salary for Transportation, Storage and Distribution Managers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025): $82,440–$146,770 per year, median $107,230. The employer did not provide a pay range for this listing.
CAL FIRE is seeking an experienced aviation leader to serve as Rotor-Wing Pilot Program Manager — a pivotal role overseeing flight operations, safety, and maintenance for a fleet of 24 aircraft used in wildland firefighting and vegetation management across California. This is an opportunity to lead a high-impact, mission-critical aviation program that saves lives, protects property, and preserves California’s natural resources.
Under the direction of the Senior Aviation Officer (SAO), the Aviation Officer III - Flight Operations, Rotary-Wing Pilot Program Manager will perform the following duties:
• Administer budget and provide management and oversight of Rotary-Wing flight operations for the department.
• Responsible for providing technical supervision and assistance in the selection of department pilots and contracted pilots assigned flight duties. Develop and direct flight standardization and training programs for department pilots. Ensure contracted pilots and aircraft meet or exceed the department’s standards.
• Responsible for inquiries from the Director’s Office and other agencies concerning the department’s flight activities. Act as a liaison and coordinate with various Programs, Regions, and Units on behalf of the CAL FIRE Aviation Sustainment and Compliance Branch. Participate as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on departmental and various cooperating agency committees. Prepare briefings and other presentations are required. Prepare other written and analytical projects assigned in support of the Fire Protection Executive staff, such as reports to the Governor’s Office, Department of Finance, Legislative Analyst’s Office and other commissions and organizations as required.
• Monitor and evaluate pilots on projects and emergency incidents. Coordinate, monitor and evaluate the department’s program. Coordinate and schedule aircraft and pilots for administrative flights. Advise the SAO and the department on aircraft sustainment and compliance related issues. Ensure all Federal, State, and Department policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Monitor Rotary-Wing Program to ensure a safe and cost-effective operations. Develop contract standards and specifications for the department. Manage contract budget travel, vendor charge verification and invoice approval.
• Function as the AMU Operations Duty Chief, as qualified, with delegated authority of the SAO; in compliance with 49 CFR 830.5-Immediate Notification, during regularly scheduled weekly coverage, the Duty Chief is “on-duty” 24-hours per day and must conform to all department policies and employee rules of conduct. Respond immediately to all duty-related emails and phone calls, make decisions on day and night emergency use of staffing, aircraft, and facilities, and monitor the status of aircraft resources as the Duty Chief; this includes Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) notifications in support of 24-hour incident operations. Shall provide briefings to the SAO and maintain readiness and qualifications to immediately respond statewide to aviation accidents/incidents as assigned as the Duty Chief.
• Perform duties as a pilot in state-owned, leased, and/or contracted aircraft as authorized by SAO. Maintain current airmanship proficiency in department aircraft as authorized by the SAO. Perform contract management for the pilots and aircraft operations of departmental and contract exclusive use or call when needed aircraft. Perform Operational Acceptance Check flights in the Department's aircraft. Perform functional checks to ensure aircraft continue to meet prescribed flight characteristics.
• Advise safety and maintenance on all aspects of aircraft flight and operations that may affect flight. Advise airbases of aircraft operational use and airbase operations. Advise on new pilot training, as well as recurrent training requirements for pilots. Review and prepare a pilot training and standardization program. Conduct State acceptance check flights after maintenance on Department aircraft.
• Assist in acquiring aircrafts, monitoring, evaluating, and make recommendations for improving equipment, safety, facilities, and the air program relative to Rotary-Wing flight operations.
• Participate in or provide technical support for aviation accident investigations and incidents for the department and other government agencies. Ensure accurate records and documents are kept on all flight operations.
• Fly administrative flights as authorized by SAO. Act as a pilot in command of department aircraft as authorized by SAO. Perform other duties as required to effectively manage the Department’s
• Aviation Program
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