Sheriff's Pilot

Duties & Responsibilities

Note: Depending on assigned responsibilities, employees may perform some or all of the duties below.

• Perform helicopter or fixed wing pilot/copilot/tactical flight officer duties as a law enforcement officer in support of operational mission requirements which includes reconnaissance, surveillance, traffic control, search and rescue, and passenger transport.

• Develop flight plans in accordance with flight manual; operational requirements; and federal, state, and county procedures and regulations.

• Perform preflight and post flight inspections to determine the aircraft's airworthiness including the visual inspection of flight controls, engine, propellers, night vision, and rotor systems.

• Secure aircraft after mission completion; record flight time, damages, and malfunctions in flight logs and maintenance records; prepare reports; and coordinate required maintenance with ground support personnel.

• Maintain aircrew proficiency and certification in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations.

• Perform law enforcement deputy duties.

• Administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid as required.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of FAA, state, and county laws, rules, and ordinances and operating procedures governing flight operations and aircraft maintenance including air traffic control rules and procedures.

• Considerable knowledge of aircraft operational control including instrumentation, weather, emergency procedures, radio communications, and navigation.

• Working knowledge of the functions, services, procedures, and regulations of assigned unit or department.

• Working knowledge of federal, state, and county laws and ordinances pertinent to law enforcement.

• Working knowledge of law enforcement guidelines and criminal investigation methods and techniques.

• Skill in the operation of helicopters and single engine fixed wing aircraft in congested and remote areas and at low altitude ground levels.

• Skill in the use of aircraft computer operated systems to include gyro stabilized infra-red camera systems, microwave downlink, moving map, and airborne recording systems.

• Skill in the use of Aviation Night Vision Systems.

• Skill in the use and care of firearms and other law enforcement related equipment.

• Ability to use aircraft crash survival equipment and techniques.

• Ability to administer CPR and First Aid.

• Ability to read maps, flight manuals, and navigational charts.

• Ability to identify and implement in-flight and ground emergency procedures.

• Ability to prepare and maintain flight logs, records, and reports.

• Ability to handle confidential information.

• Ability to follow established procedures.

• Ability to work effectively with others.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to act quickly and correctly in emergencies.

• Ability to pay close attention to detail.

• Ability to enforce the law courteously, tactfully, firmly, and impartially.

• Ability to climb, bend, balance, stoop, kneel, and crouch at ground level.

• Ability to work non-standard duty hours and rotating shifts that include nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 100 pounds short distances over rough and/or uneven terrain.

• Ability to swim and tread water wearing a flight suit, boots, and 20 pounds of equipment.

• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

• Ability to work in a subtropical climate under adverse weather conditions and high noise levels.

• Ability to use a computer and related software.

Minimum Education & Experience

• A high school diploma or possession of a GED certificate.

• Six years of experience as a state, county, or city law enforcement officer, three of which must be with the Sheriff’s Office as a law enforcement deputy.

• Possession of a FAA Class II Flight Medical Certificate from an approved Aviation Medical Examiner.

• Possession of a State of Florida Law Enforcement Officer Certification or ability to take and pass Equivalency of Training (EOT) Course and certification exam.

Additionally, the following are required:

• 21 years of age or older.

• United States citizen.

• Of good moral character.

• Six months tobacco free at time of application.

• Live within Hillsborough County or within Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Lake, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, or Sumter County as long as the residence is located within the 60-mile parameter of Falkenburg Road Jail at that time of appointment/employment.

Additional Job Requirements

• Attendance at the specified Sheriff's Office work location is required.

• Depending on assignment, employees may be required to possess a valid Florida Driver License at time of employment. Driving history will be thoroughly reviewed and may be grounds for disqualification.

• No visible tattoos on face, head, and neck. Tattoos determined to take away from the professional appearance of the Sheriff’s Office must be covered with an appropriate white, black, or neutral covering.

• No illegal drug sale within lifetime.

• No illegal drug use within the past 36 months. No marijuana use within the last 12 months.

• No felony convictions within lifetime.

• No misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, false statement, or domestic violence within lifetime.

• No dishonorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserve Forces.

• Successful completion of a background investigation including criminal, reference, employment, and neighborhood checks; polygraph; medical evaluation; and drug screening.