County of Alameda

Under general direction, to provide aviation support to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Division; oversee and coordinate the use of aviation assets and supervise civilian pilot personnel; perform various airborne law enforcement functions; ensure the airworthiness of aircraft and perform other related duties as required.  

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES  

The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Chief Pilot is a civilian, non-peace officer classification located in the Sheriff’s Office Aviation Division which encompasses fixed wing, helicopter, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations. Incumbents report to the Law Enforcement Services Division Commander and are responsible for overseeing and coordinating the use of aviation assets and personnel to meet the needs of the Sheriff’s Office, supervising and coordinating the work of staff and/or contracted pilots, and providing aerial support in the performance of law enforcement, search and rescue activities or surveillance. This classification is distinguished from the class of Sheriff’s Office Pilot in that the latter is primarily responsible for the operation of aircraft and does not include supervisory responsibilities.

NOTE:    The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.  

1. Supervise the day-to-day activities of Sheriff’s Office Pilot.
2. Performs the duties of pilot-in-command for fixed wing, helicopter, or UAV aerial missions.
3. Conducts ground training, flight training and evaluations for civilian pilots, law enforcement observers, safety pilots, and tactical flight personnel.
4. Schedules staff pilots for Sheriff’s Office missions and coordinates with Sheriff’s Office Management and Supervisors for the use of aircraft and aviation personnel for the completion of missions.
5. Maintains written and computerized logs, aircraft and pilot records to comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and other federal or agency guidelines.
6. Ensures aviation assets remain mission ready; recognizes the need and makes arrangements for the performance of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance by reviewing and maintaining logs and records.

Experience:  

Completion of a minimum of 2000 hours total flight time, including 800 as pilot-in-command for assigned aircraft.  

License:

• Possession of a valid Commercial Pilot certificate with an Instrument Rating and applicable associated endorsements for assigned aircraft.
• Must possess and maintain a current FAA Class II medical certificate.
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.  

Special Requirement:  

All candidates must successfully pass a complete background investigation.  

NOTE:    The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE:    The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.  

Knowledge of:

• State and Federal laws pertaining to the use of aviation assets.
• Regulations of the Department of Transportation and the FAA.
• Airborne Law Enforcement Operations, including surveillance techniques, piloting skills, navigation, safety and training.
• Operating and maintaining moving map and imaging equipment.
• Search, rescue, and surveillance as it pertains to aviation assets.  

Ability to:

• Operate aviation assets safely.
• Conduct tactical and administrative law enforcement flight operations during the day or night, over all types of terrain, in all types of weather conditions, and in all types of airspace.
• Plan, assign, evaluate and supervise the work and operations of the staff pilots or other aviation personnel.
• Assimilate generally accepted law enforcement techniques, procedures and methodologies.
• Work effectively and efficiently in a multi-crew environment, with other departmental personnel, law enforcement or government agencies.
• Exercise good judgment in emergency and stressful situations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.