JOIN THE BPD
REACH NEW HEIGHTS IN SERVICE OF BALTIMORE.
The pilot position is a sworn law enforcement position, and the applicant will have to attend a police academy (including field training) and will transfer to the aviation unit upon academy graduation.
We operate a fleet of brand new (Model years 2022 and 2023) H125 A-Star helicopters equipped with full glass cockpits. The schedule is rotating between two weeks of day work and two weeks of night work with 8.5-hour workdays. Days worked are typically 5 days on, 2 days off per 7-day period with occasional 4 days on, 3 days off.
We do not require time spent in patrol before transferring to the aviation unit, other than the field training as part of the academy. During field training, the applicant will be accompanied by a Field Training Officer at all times.
FLIGHT OFFICER ELIGIBILITY
The ideal candidate:
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Must have graduated with a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Attend police academy, including 8-10 weeks of field training.
- Live in, or must relocate to, the general Baltimore area.
- Have the following flight requirements (non-waivable).
- Minimum of 1,000 hours total flight time.
- 600 hours Pilot in Command (PIC).
- 600 hours in a Turbine Helicopter.
- Valid FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter and Instrument-Helicopter Rating.
- Current FAA Medical Certificate-Second Class or above.
- Valid Maryland Class C Noncommercial Driver’s License or equivalent out-of-state driver’s license.
- Can pass a comprehensive background check.
- Has been Honorably Discharged if they served in the military.
- Has no felony convictions.
- Is not currently on parole or probation.
- Has had any misdemeanor charges expunged.
- Can pass a mental and physical examination.
- Is, above all, truthful throughout the hiring process.
NOTE: Any waivers or limitations on the candidates’ current FAA Medical Certificate-Second Class will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for acceptability by the Police Department.
COMPETITIVE SALARY
- Starting Annual Salary $89,908.
- Pay increases on a step system for every year worked.
- This is a unionized position and salaries, as well as work conditions, are negotiated by the union.
BENEFITS
Excellent benefits include:
- $10,000 signing bonus for new hires upon successful graduation.
- Referral bonus of $2,500-$7,500 per employee per hire.
- A property tax credit of up to $2,500 per year for officers who live in the city.
- $12,000 relocation incentive ($1,000 per month for one year).
- $5,000 tuition reimbursement per year.
- $5,000/year additional student loan assistance for new hires.
- A pension after 25 years of service (60% of the sworn officer’s salary) or 22 years of service for military veterans who have served three years of active duty.
- 15 days of paid annual military leave for members of the Active Reserves and National Guard.
- An option to participate in the tax-deferred, 457B retirement plan (Deferred Compensation).
- Paid Time Off (PTO).
- Health insurance with prescription, dental, and vision.
- 12 weeks of family and medical leave after a year of employment.
- Industry-leading wellness support.
EDUCATION ACCREDITATION:
Applicant’s education must be obtained from an accredited institution. Education credentials obtained out of the US must be evaluated for US equivalency. Evaluation agencies information may be obtained at www.naces.org.
ELIGIBILITY:
Qualified candidates will be considered for vacancies as they arise, for a period of at least six months. The decision of the Director of Human Resources with respect to acceptable minimum qualifications is final.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK:
Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to this position identified as positions of trust will be required to authorize the release of and successfully complete a Fingerprint check.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
A Police Flight Officer operates a helicopter over the City of Baltimore for the purpose of assisting law enforcement officers in the control and suppression of crime. Work of this class involves no supervisory duties or responsibilities.
Incumbents receive general supervision from a technical superior. Employees in this class work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Work is performed in a helicopter where such conditions as seasonal weather extremes, poor flying conditions, and night flying are encountered and on patrol in various areas of the City where such conditions as violent persons and crowds, automobile traffic, and other dangerous and stressful situations are also encountered. Work requires moderate physical exertion in controlling and flying a helicopter and occasional extreme physical exertion involved in chasing and subduing criminals.
SELECTION PROCESS
All candidates indicating the minimum qualifications on their applications will be placed on the eligible list without further examination. The training and experience of each candidate will be evaluated for appropriateness and quantity. It is essential, therefore, that you give complete and accurate information on your application. Vagueness or omission may prevent you from being considered for this position. Qualified candidates will not be listed in rank order.