This is a CAL FIRE Chief Forestry Fire Pilot position. The posting requires:

• FAA Commercial Pilot or ATP certificate with a rotorcraft-helicopter rating

• Class II FAA Medical

• California driver's license

• All certifications required by the Forestry Fire Pilot classification

Are you a senior fire pilot who's ready to lead pilots and ready to shape one of the most recognizable aviation programs in American public safety?

As Chief Forestry Fire Pilot with CAL FIRE, you'll step into a program-level leadership role at the top of one of the largest state-run aerial firefighting operations in the country. This position is built for a senior fire pilot who's spent years in the seat, understands aerial firefighting at every level, and is ready to move from flying the mission to leading the people who fly it.

This role is ideal for a pilot who wants to influence the program itself, not just fly it. You'll lead and mentor CAL FIRE's fire pilot cadre, shape standards and pilot development, contribute to training curriculum, support hiring and pilot qualification decisions, and serve as a senior voice in how the program evolves. CAL FIRE flies a distinctive mixed fleet such as S-2T air tankers, C-130s, OV-10 air attack, Huey helicopters, and more. The pilots you lead will operate that fleet on some of the most demanding fires in the country. Your leadership will directly shape how they fly, how they develop, and how the program continues to build on decades of aerial firefighting experience.

This position is located at McClellan Airport in Sacramento County and is a permanent, full-time senior aviation role. Expect the operational tempo of a busy fire aviation program, and the leadership responsibility that comes with being the senior pilot voice inside one of the country's most watched fire aviation operations.

This isn't a step back from flying, it's a step up into leadership. It's a chance to build the pilots who'll fly CAL FIRE's fleet for the next generation, and to leave a real mark on a program that shapes how California responds from the air.

Why CAL FIRE?

• State benefits including health, dental, vision, and retirement

• Permanent, full-time senior aviation career opportunity

• Program leadership role in one of the largest state-run aerial firefighting operations in the country

• Lead a distinctive mixed fleet such as S-2T air tankers, C-130s, OV-10 air attack, Huey helicopters

• Opportunity to shape pilot development, training, and the future of the program

• Mission driven team culture focused on service, readiness, and protecting California from the air

About Sacramento County & McClellan Airport

Sacramento County is home to CAL FIRE's Aviation Management Program at McClellan Airport, one of the most recognizable fire aviation bases in the country. The location gives senior pilots a strong mix of urban convenience, aviation community, and proximity to some of California's best outdoor escapes.

With a lower cost of living than the Bay Area or Southern California, easy access to Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Nevada, the Northern California coast, and the wine regions of Napa and Sonoma, Sacramento County is a strong fit for senior fire pilots who want mission-critical work and a quality of life that isn't dominated by commute time.

Popular cities and communities include:

• Sacramento

• Folsom

• Elk Grove

• Roseville (Placer County, adjacent)

• Davis (Yolo County, adjacent)