Helicopter Pilot

Role overview

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a professional, safety-minded law enforcement helicopter pilot to assist with airborne operations across Flagler County. In this role, you will fly agency rotary-wing aircraft for patrol support, search and rescue, tactical assistance, aerial observation, disaster response, suspect tracking, criminal investigations, and other emergency public safety aviation duties.

Key responsibilities

• Fly the agency helicopter for law enforcement, emergency response, and public safety assignments.
• Complete pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight checks in line with FAA rules and agency procedures.
• Keep the aircraft, avionics, mission gear, cameras, radios, and related equipment ready for operational use.
• Support airborne patrol and rapid-response missions for countywide policing activities.
• Work with communications staff, incident commanders, patrol supervisors, and partner agencies to coordinate flight activity.
• Operate the aircraft according to FAA requirements, air traffic control directions, and internal flight procedures.
• Track weather, airspace limitations, NOTAMs, temporary flight restrictions, and other flight hazards.
• Carry out aerial surveillance, thermal imaging, search tasks, perimeter support, pursuit monitoring, and tactical aviation missions.
• Use navigation systems, airborne cameras, moving-map tools, mission planning software, and communications equipment.
• Assist with search and rescue efforts involving missing persons, fleeing suspects, maritime events, and natural disasters.
• Support aerial documentation and photography for crime scenes.
• Help with event security and emergency management operations.
• Respond quickly during critical incidents such as barricaded subjects, active threats, manhunts, and disasters.
• Take part in safety briefings, operational meetings, and after-action reviews.
• Maintain required certifications, ratings, and training qualifications.
• Keep mission logs, maintenance records, and operational documents up to date.
• Prepare reports, flight logs, evidence records, and operational summaries accurately and promptly.
• Protect the confidentiality of sensitive law enforcement information.
• Help with equipment inventories, maintenance tracking, and readiness checks.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications and selection criteria

• High school diploma or an equivalent credential.
• A valid Florida driver license must be maintained throughout employment, with no restrictions that would interfere with the job.
• FAA Commercial Rotorcraft Certificate and Instrument Rating are required.
• A minimum FAA Second Class Medical Certificate is required; First Class Medical is preferred.
• At least 500 pilot-in-command hours in rotorcraft/helicopter experience is required; 1,000 hours is preferred.
• 100 hours of rotorcraft/helicopter night flight time is preferred.
• Previous law enforcement aviation experience is preferred.
• Applicants must complete Bell 505 initial flight and ground training, mission checkout, and emergency egress familiarization.
• Ability to work in all weather and environmental conditions, including exposure to noise, fumes, and flight-related physiological effects.
• Previous rotary-wing experience in law enforcement, military, EMS, or public safety aviation is preferred.
• Ability to swim and tread water while wearing flight gear.
• Ability to climb on and off the aircraft during pre-flight inspections up to approximately 12 feet.
• Ability to position the aircraft, with assistance, using ground handling equipment.
• Strong written communication skills and the ability to complete detailed reports, logs, and activity records accurately.
• Strong verbal communication skills and effective radio discipline, especially in high-stress situations.
• Must be available for rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and schedule changes with little notice.
• CFI and CFII Rotorcraft-Helicopter ratings are preferred.
• Training and qualification in Aviator’s Night Vision Imaging System is preferred.

Employment details

This is a part-time, onsite role based in Bunnell, Florida.

Equal opportunity statement

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is committed to building a diverse, skilled, trained, and professional workforce. The agency is an equal opportunity employer and aims to reflect the diversity of the community it serves.