Helicopter Pilot

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

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Los Angeles, California

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PERMANENT

$152,444-$189,402/yr

Updated 09/04/2026

Job Description

Job Summary

A Helicopter Pilot operates Department-owned turbine helicopters to complete various utility, security, and transportation requirements during daylight or nighttime hours; transports external loads; makes roof-top landings and take-offs; will fly in low or high-altitude environments that include remote mountain, desert, wire environment, and power line patrol locations, all in a variety of weather conditions. A Helicopter Pilot may be required to work out of town for varying lengths of time.

Requirements

Please note: The application period for this position isn't currently open. It will officially be open from 10/02/26 through 10/15/26 and at that time a link to the application page will be provided on this page. Alternatively, you may complete a job notification card to be notified via email when the application period opens by going to the link below and clicking on the "Subscribe" button (highly recommended), but please note the information on the page through the link below, including requirements, are not up to date:

Link:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacity/classspecs/741161

Requirements/Minimum Qualifications:

1. Completion of 3,000 hours of pilot-in-command flying time as a licensed commercial or military helicopter pilot, of which includes the following:

a. 1,500 flight hours as pilot-in-command in a turbine class helicopter (with minimum of fifty (50) flight hours as a pilot-in-command in a turbine helicopter in the last twelve (12) months); and

b. A minimum of fifty (50) flight hours as pilot-in-command displaying vertical reference proficiency; and

c. A minimum of three hundred (300) flight hours as pilot-in-command flown in elevations above 5,000 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL)

And Either:

d. Three (3) years of flight experience as pilot-in-command in support of the utility industry; or

e. Three (3) years of low-level flight activities (survey, photo, seismic, fire-fighting) in single-engine turbine

helicopters in mountainous terrain.

And:

2. A current Federal Aviation Administration Commercial or Airline Transport pilot certificate with rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating, and instrument rating; and

3. A current Federal Aviation Administration Class I or Class II medical certificate.

NOTES:

1. Each applicant MUST specify the number of hours spent in all of the areas listed in Requirement #1 in the

WORK EXPERIENCE

section of the application. In addition to the regular City application, each applicant is required to submit the Helicopter Pilot Qualifications Questionnaire at the time of filing. The Helicopter Pilot Qualifications Questionnaire is located within the Supplemental Questions section of the City Application. Applicants who fail to submit both the Application form with the complete WORK EXPERIENCE and the Qualifications Questionnaire will not be considered and their application will not be processed.

2. Copies of the last two pages of the applicant's logbook and current commercial pilot and medical certificates must be submitted with their application by attaching it to their on-line application at the time of filing or will have seven (7) calendar days from the on-line submission date to e-mail their documents to per.appdocs@lacity.org. The subject line of your e-mail must include the exam title, your name, and indicate it is your logbook and/or certificates. In the body of your e-mail, you must also include your first and last name, last four digits of your Social Security Number, and contact phone number. Candidates who fail to submit all of these documents within the time required will not be considered further in this examination and their applications will not be processed.

3. Applicants with Flight Instructor ratings, Airbus H125, Bell 407, 429, and Night Vision Goggle experience, or any additional aviation ratings are strongly desired.

4. A valid California driver's license (Class A or B driver license with hazmat and tank endorsement) is required within 30 days of appointment. Applicants will be disqualified and not eligible for hire if their record within the last 36 months reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation (such as DUI).

5. Be required to undergo mandatory drug and alcohol testing prior to and during the employment .

6. Log book records must be provided for review prior to appointment.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to: https://per.lacity.org/faqs/employment-testing-process.html

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