Sworn Helicopter Pilot - Birmingham Police Department at Merit System / Personnel Board of Jefferson County

TARGET CLOSE DATE:

08/29/2025

PAY GRADE:

Grade 25

TYPE:

Full time

JOB SUMMARY:

The Birmingham Police Department is seeking to hire a Sworn Helicopter Pilot to perform critical aerial support missions for public safety operations, including law enforcement patrol, search and rescue, and tactical response. In addition to advanced piloting duties, the officer will oversee helicopter maintenance, flight readiness, FAA compliance, and interagency coordination with police, fire, and emergency management services. This position requires a unique combination of aviation expertise, operational awareness, and sworn law enforcement authority. Pilots play an integral role in tactical missions, surveillance, rapid deployment, and disaster response, while also ensuring the aircraft is maintained, mission-ready, and operated in accordance with FAA and departmental regulations.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

The City of Birmingham provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more. The pay range for this job is listed below:

Birmingham $70,012 - $108,617

MINIMUM QUALIFICATONS:

The following are job-related qualifications that are required for employment consideration for this position:

Must meet all of the following AND Option A, B or C below.

• Driver’s license.

• Current FAA Commercial Helicopter Pilot’s License with Instrument Rating.

• Current FAA First or Second-Class Medical Certificate.

• Minimum 750 hours Pilot in Command (PIC) experience.

• Minimum 100 hours of turbine helicopter experience.

• Minimum 100 hours of night PIC experience.

• Minimum 50 hours of flight time within the last 12 months.

• Must be at least 19 years of age.

• Must be a citizen of the United States.

• Must be in good health and physically fit for the performance of the duties of a law enforcement officer.

• Must have an honorable discharge if served in the US Armed Forces.

• Must have NO felony convictions.

• Must have NO convictions in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year.

• Must NOT be prohibited by state or federal law from owning, possessing, or carrying a firearm.

• Must NOT be subject to a court order that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of such intimate partner.

• Must NOT be required to register as a convicted sex offender.

Option A:

• Must have been previously APOSTC certified and who are required to complete the Refresher training for reinstatement of their Certification.

Option B:

• Must possess an earned Associate’s degree from a College or University accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), or its regional equivalent.

Option C:

• Must possess a high school diploma or GED AND take and pass the ACT WorkKeys Assessment for Law Enforcement Officers.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATONS:

• CFI/CFII Rotorcraft Certification.

• FAA NVG Certification and operational NVG experience.

• Airbus AS-350 and/or OH-6A factory training.

• Prior law enforcement aviation experience in a sworn capacity.

• Experience using aviation mapping and surveillance systems.

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:

• Operates a law enforcement helicopter to support public safety personnel by responding to calls involving patrol, tactical support, surveillance, or search and rescue, providing critical aerial assistance to improve response time and officer safety.

• Conducts pre-flight checks, fuels the aircraft, performs minor maintenance, and coordinates with ground personnel to ensure the helicopter is fully mission-ready when a call is received.

• Maintains required licensure and regulatory compliance by passing FAA medical exams, renewing certifications, and staying updated on changes in aviation law, law enforcement procedures, and department policy.

• Attends tactical and operational briefings to understand the mission objectives, environmental risks, and specific role of the helicopter in planned operations.

• Keeps helicopters and related equipment in operational condition by conducting field tests, troubleshooting minor issues, and cleaning or polishing as needed to ensure performance and reliability.

• Conducts joint flights with fellow pilots to evaluate their performance and ensure all safety and tactical protocols are being followed in accordance with agency standards.

• Determines flight paths, airspeeds, and altitudes based on mission needs, air traffic conditions, and environmental factors to optimize safety and operational effectiveness.

• Monitors critical aircraft systems such as engine performance, fuel consumption, and avionics during flights to detect issues and maintain flight integrity.

• Logs detailed information on each mission, including flight times, routes, fuel usage, and equipment status using specialized software to ensure FAA and agency recordkeeping compliance.

• Performs aerial patrols to aid in criminal deterrence and detection by surveying high-crime areas, supporting traffic enforcement, and responding quickly to in-progress incidents.

• Conducts real-time surveillance of suspects, vehicles, or crime scenes using tools such as FLIR, digital mapping, and onboard camera systems to assist ground officers and investigators.

• Maintains radio communication with ground units during active incidents to relay aerial observations, track suspect movements, and coordinate unit responses across multiple channels.

• Participates in debriefings after missions to report flight findings, review tactical outcomes, and contribute to continuous operational improvement.

• Accesses and utilizes real-time law enforcement databases and surveillance platforms such as MOBILE, FLOCK, and AXON to provide ground officers with critical, updated intelligence during missions.

• Conducts reconnaissance flights in advance of tactical operations to identify hazards, escape routes, and entry points, allowing tactical teams to plan more safely and effectively.

• Provides aerial overwatch during critical incidents such as active shooter situations or barricaded subjects to guide officer movement and improve command-level decision-making.

• Monitors multi-agency radio traffic to proactively identify emerging threats and prepare for rapid aerial deployment when necessary.

• Collects and preserves visual evidence by capturing video and photos during operations and completing written documentation that may be used in legal or disciplinary proceedings.

• Assists in suspect apprehension by providing containment strategies, directing ground officers to suspects, and observing suspect behavior from the air to enhance enforcement outcomes.

• Collaborates with local, state, and federal agencies during large-scale or joint operations to coordinate flight logistics and provide shared aerial support.

• Conducts aerial surveillance in support of criminal investigations involving narcotics, gangs, or violent crimes to detect patterns of behavior or verify investigative intelligence.

• Aids in search and rescue operations by locating missing persons, stranded individuals, or suspects in inaccessible terrain using a combination of visual search and imaging equipment.

• Supports emergency response during natural disasters or public events by surveying large crowds, identifying hazards, or relaying critical information to ground command staff.

• Ensures the operational readiness of helicopters and associated equipment by regularly inspecting, cleaning, and documenting any mechanical or performance concerns.

• Trains officers and agency partners on air support protocols, radio communication, mission coordination, and safety procedures to improve interagency effectiveness during operations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Job involves moderate physical exertion required for occasional prolonged periods of balancing, climbing, stooping, kneeling or sitting. May involve occasional lifting of items or objects weighing up to 50 lbs. Work involves high levels of precise sensory abilities and fine psychomotor abilities associated with safe piloting of a helicopter.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is conducted both indoors in an office setting as well as regular outdoor locations while operating a helicopter. Work involves use of standard office equipment, and tools and equipment necessary for the maintenance and operation of a helicopter. May require working in both extremely bright, or inadequate (low light/visibility) lighting conditions. Job may require working on call, including nights and weekends. Requires working at various heights from the ground while piloting a helicopter in a variety of weather conditions.

EEO STATEMENT:

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.  Each Merit System member city/agency operate its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

ACCOMMODATION:

NOTE:

This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System. More detail regarding this job is available by clicking Apply.

DISCLAIMER:

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required to do the job and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.

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