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.

On or before the date of filing the application, each candidate must:

Have graduated from an accredited high school or possession of a GED certificate.

AND

Have a minimum of 1,000 hours total flight time of which 600 hours must be Pilot in Command (PIC) and 600 hours in a turbine helicopter.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATES: 

• Have a valid FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter and Instrument-Helicopter rating, with no past record of violations or suspensions, a current FAA Medical Certificate-Second Class or above, and the ability to obtain and maintain a Maryland Police Training Commission Certificate are required.
• Have a valid Maryland Class C Noncommercial driver’s license or an equivalent out-of-state driver’s license acceptable to the Office of Risk Management is required.

NOTES: 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.

Candidates must furnish appropriate evidence of flight training and experience such as logbooks and/or flight records.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of all the areas, phases, and elements required to obtain and maintain an FAA Helicopter Commercial Pilot Certificate.
• Knowledge of the equipment, systems, and aerodynamic principles involved in maintaining, operating, and safely flying a helicopter.
• Skill in safely operating, maneuvering, and flying a helicopter.
• Ability to read and apply rules, regulations, statutes, and policies relevant to law enforcement work.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other police flight officers and related police personnel.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to accept direction and criticism and to function in an organization with strict rules and regulations.
• Ability to make sound decisions and control one’s emotions under difficult and stressful situations.
• Ability to prepare reports and other documents that require a complete knowledge of spelling, grammar, and basic arithmetic.
• Ability to participate in and successfully complete all mandated phases of entry-level training including classroom, field, and skills training.
• Ability to meet and maintain all requirements for State law enforcement officer certification.
• Ability to meet Baltimore City Police appearance standards for uniform personnel.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Applicants must provide sufficient information on their application to show that they meet the qualifications for this recruitment. Successful applicants will be placed on the employment-certified eligible list for at least six months.

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position. You may be required to complete supplemental questions to further examine specific Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities of the position. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.

NOTE: Those eligible candidates who are under final consideration for appointment to positions in this class will be required to authorize the release of criminal conviction information.

Financial Disclosure:

This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law. 

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Work Location: In person.