Final Filing Date: 9/3/2024.

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will not be accepted.

Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

If using the United States Postal Service (USPS) for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be postmarked and arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark and arrives after the final filing date, your application may not be accepted into the examination. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof the application was sent prior to the final filing date.

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

• AVIATION OFFICER II (FLIGHT OPERATIONS) - Open

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements by the final filing date of September 3, 2024, unless otherwise noted.

• Once you have participated in this examination, you may not test again for six (6) months.
• Applicants who have not passed probation in this classification are encouraged to apply.

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

• Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
  Attention: Examination Unit
  710 Riverpoint Ct.
  West Sacramento, CA 95605
  

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

• Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
  Attention: Examination Unit
  710 Riverpoint Ct.
  West Sacramento, CA 95605
  8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

Please note the following:

1.) A State Application (STD 678) is REQUIRED and must be submitted.

2.) In command/Low-Level Mission Flight Hours Supplemental Questionnaire is REQUIRED and must be submitted. Please copy and paste this URL into your web browser to access this form:

https://www.fire.ca.gov/-/media/50AF19C07EE14149B208B201D7BD5405

3.) Copy of a VALID, current second-class Airman's Medical Certificate issued by an FAA authorized examiner is REQUIRED and must be submitted.

4.) All applicants must include "from" and "to" employment dates (month/day/year), time base, and applicable civil service class titles on their STD 678. Applications received without this information may be rejected.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Possession of the following certificates:

A valid and current second-class Airman’s Medical Certificate issued by an FAA authorized examiner, AND

1. A valid FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with multi-engine land airplane and instrument ratings, or

2. A valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate with multi-engine land airplane ratings and instrument ratings, or

3. A valid FAA Commercial Airman Certificate with a helicopter-rotorcraft class rating, or

4. A valid ATP Certificate with helicopter-rotorcraft class rating.

NOTE: YOU MUST PROVIDE A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE(S) LISTED ABOVE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS EXAMINATION.

AND

1,000 hours in command of aircraft (fixed-or rotary-wing).

NOTE: TO PROVIDE HOURS IN COMMAND YOU MUST FILL OUT THE IN-COMMAND/LOW-LEVEL MISSION FLIGHT HOURS SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE (See link above).  

AND

EITHER I

One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Aviation Officer I (Maintenance). (Applicants who have completed six months of service performing the duties of an Aviation Officer I (Maintenance) will be admitted to the examination, but they must satisfactorily complete one year of this experience before they can be eligible for appointment.)

OR II

One year of experience in government service performing watershed and fire protection duties which have included a full-time assignment as a base manager or an air attack coordinator during the declared fire season.

OR III

Five hundred additional hours in command of either fixed-or rotary-wing aircraft performing low-level missions (e.g., wildland fire control, external loads, medi-vac operations, search and rescue, aerial surveys, etc.).

NOTE: APPLICANTS QUALIFYING UNDER PATTERN III MUST FILL OUT THE ADDITIONAL SECTIONS ON THE IN-COMMAND/LOW-LEVEL MISSION FLIGHT HOURS SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE (See link above).

This examination consists of the following component(s):

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

STRUCTURED INTERVIEW (QUALIFICATIONS APPRAISAL PANEL) - WEIGHTED 100%
 

In this type of exam candidates will be asked pre-determined, job-related questions by a two or three-person panel and rated against pre-determined benchmarks.  Candidates will be provided with scratch paper and a pencil.

It is anticipated that interviews will be held in October/November 2024.

CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT APPEAR FOR THE STRUCTURED INTERVIEW EXAMINATION WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. 

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:

1. Available aviation weather reports and pertinent application to ensure safe flight operations.
2. Practical application of aircraft operation practices and procedures to perform and provide guidance and standardization in the operation of Department utilized aircraft.
3. CAL FIRE, Federal Aviation Regulations, and other governing aircraft operations (e.g., California Department of Transportation, U.S. Forest Service, Department of Interior, military) to ensure program compliance.
4. The English language and grammar to effectively communicate within the Department and with the public.
5. Aviation terminology and principles for proper application to the job.
6. Safety precautions involved in aviation and maintenance (e.g., use of checklist, visibility minimums, performance planning) to ensure personal and public safety.
7. Federal, State, and Department rules, regulations, procedures, and directives to make recommendations on use of specialized aircraft.
8. Aviation notifications (e.g., Service Bulletins, Airworthiness Directives, memorandums) to ensure compliance with industry standards and safe operating practices.
9. Instructional techniques in basic maneuvers, aerial firefighting, and ground training to instruct and evaluate flight staff in flight operation procedures to meet the needs of the program.
10. Operational duties to be able to train pilots and aviation crews to ensure compliance with Department standards and safe operating practices.
11. Computer software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite) for generation of necessary data, documents, and correspondence to perform duties of the job.
12. Aerial firefighting techniques and procedures for proper application of fire suppression efforts in accordance with the Department’s mission.
13. Aircraft performance capabilities to accommodate weight fluctuations during flight (e.g., retardant drop, water bucket collection and drop, insertion and extraction of a rescuer and/or victim) to maintain airworthiness.
14. Aviation human factors (e.g., fatigue, attitude, physiological) to facilitate accident investigation and to assure safe operation of State-operated aircraft.  
15. Research methods and the application of approved technical data (e.g., aircraft operational publications, diagrams, drawings) to perform and provide guidance in the operations of department utilized aircraft.
16. Currently installed avionics specialized equipment (e.g., tactical radios, moving map systems) to ensure effective utilization of equipment.
17. Various training techniques, resources, and requirements to ensure readiness of aviation personnel.
18. Proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure to ensure written materials are complete, concise, and error-free.
19. Principles and practices of employee training to determine training needs and to evaluate the results.

Skill to:

1. Read, write, speak, and understand English to effectively apply Federal and inter-agency regulations, Department policies, and other publications in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations.
2. Communicate effectively in writing and verbally to Aviation personnel at a technical level required to perform the duties of the job.

Ability to:

1. Work independently with minimal supervision for an effective job performance.
2. Read and write to effectively exchange information and accomplish daily tasks.
3. Follow oral and written directions for an effective job performance.
4. Make decisions under extreme situations (e.g., deadlines, dangerous surroundings) and evaluate the effectiveness of the decisions made to ensure safe and effective operations.   
5. Operate aircraft in accordance with Department, Federal, and industry standards.
6. Maintain positive relationships with cooperating agencies to promote a cohesive and productive work environment.
7. Work with diverse groups of individuals with varying levels of education and skills to accomplish daily tasks.
8. Prepare accurate, clear, and concise reports and correspondence for effective job performance.
9. Read and understand reference manuals, training materials, data, and correspondence to acquire knowledge essential to the performance of the job.
10. Plan, organize, and direct the work of others in operation of aircraft types used by CAL FIRE in the Department’s mission.
11. Use technical terminology to properly communicate with aviation personnel and cooperative agencies.
12. Recognize hazardous situations and conditions (e.g., illegal activities, animals, unsafe surroundings) to ensure personnel safety.
13. Maintain cooperative working relationships with contractors and fellow employees to maintain a cohesive work environment.

A Departmental Open eligible list for the AVIATION OFFICER II (FLIGHT OPERATIONS) Classification will be established for:

• Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

• A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
• A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

• Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

CAL FIRE Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
710 Riverpoint Ct.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone: (916) 894-9570 ext. Option 3
ReasonableAccommodations@fire.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.