Job Description

Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Firefighting Helicopter Pilot

To apply:  

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is looking for an experienced Helicopter Pilot to join our team in beautiful Sarasota County, home to the best beach in America as judged by Tripadvisor. We perform a variety of missions including, but not limited to, searching for and tracking of criminal subjects, firefighting, search and rescue, SWAT Team insertion and extraction and other missions too numerous to list. We operate a Bell 407GX and a Bell 429 helicopter. We offer an excellent benefits package including an unmarked take-home vehicle. See our website for further benefits information (

The Deputy Pilot will have as his/her primary duty the prudent and safe operation of the agency helicopter on both scheduled and on-call missions. Additionally, will assist the Assistant Chief Pilot as directed in all assigned duties.  

Tasks:  Complete assignment as directed; maintain work areas; knowledge general orders; respond to tactical situations; pursue fleeing perps/suspects/felons; conduct marijuana eradication activities; triage calls; conduct routine air patrol; assess damages to structures, roads, and communications infrastructure during or after disaster situations; search for lost or missing person(s); conduct surveillance of individuals/groups/structures/vehicles; maintain aircraft logbooks; provide assistance to patrol deputies/detectives/other units; prepare daily record of law enforcement activities; pursue vehicles/watercraft; and testify at trials, hearings, grand juries or depositions. 

Starting Salary:    $97,718 - $101,462 (based on General Order policy and documented related experience).

$102,604 - $106,536 (based on 10.5-hour shifts)

Long term salary cap: $108,950

$114,398 (based on 10.5-hour shifts/2184 hours annually)

Job Requirements

• Associates degree from an accredited institution or equivalent flight time/experience/prior military flight experience.
• Minimum 4 years' related experience, or four years in sequential position- The term “experience,” refers to active full-time employment, either in the same position, or directly related to the position applied for. The experience must have occurred within the three (3) years prior to application with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
• Florida LE Certified or current FL EOT Enrollment
• Commercial Helicopter Certificate (w/instrument rating).
• 1000 Hours Helicopter Total Time
• 500 Hours Turbine Time / (Bell 407/429 preferred)
• Class II Flight Physical (or ability to obtain)
• Preferred applicants will possess the following aviation experience: 1500 Hours Total Time (Helicopter), Bell 407/429 Factory School and/or Experience, Night Vision Goggle, Fire Suppression, Search and Rescue, and Hoist or External Cargo Operations Experience.

SCSO is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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