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Aerial Firefighting Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

CNIC Careers

$56K/yr

Hazmat Technician and Driver Operator Aerial. If you do not possess all of the above certifications ... firefighting apparatus and equipment; 3) Responding to and/or mitigating hazardous materials ...

US Department of the Navy

$56K/yr

Hazmat Technician and Driver Operator Aerial. If you do not possess all of the above certifications ... firefighting apparatus and equipment; 3) Responding to and/or mitigating hazardous materials ...

City of Manassas

Firefighter ALS

Manassas, VA · On-site

$75K - $96K/yr

This position may drive fire apparatus and operate fire pumps and/or aerial devices in emergency situations. This classification is distinguished from Firefighter BLS in that incumbents are certified ...

City of Manassas

Firefighter BLS

Manassas, VA · On-site

$60K - $81K/yr

... aerial devices in emergency situations. Minimum Required Qualifications This position does require current Virginia certification* as a: 1) Firefighter II 2) VA EMT-Basic or National Registry EMT-B ...

City of Manassas, VA

Firefighter ALS

Manassas, VA · On-site

$75K - $96K/yr

This position may drive fire apparatus and operate fire pumps and/or aerial devices in emergency situations. This classification is distinguished from Firefighter BLS in that incumbents are certified ...

City of Manassas, VA

Firefighter BLS

Manassas, VA · On-site

$60K - $81K/yr

This position may drive fire apparatus and operate fire pumps and/or aerial devices in emergency ... Firefighter II 2) VA EMT-Basic or National Registry EMT-B 3) VA Hazardous Materials Ops 4) VA ...

Constellis

Lieutenant-Fire

Reston, VA · On-site

Duties require full use of both arms, both legs and fingers to bend, turn, pull, crawl, kneel, and climb for such tasks as use of aerial ladders, firefighting equipment controls, arranging/connecting ...

Constellis

Driver Operator

Reston, VA · On-site

Drives and operates firefighting vehicles, such as pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, support vehicles, and Airport Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles. * Drives to the scene of the fire following a ...

Hanover County, VA

VOLUNTEER- Fire-EMS

Hanover, VA · On-site

... firefighting and emergency medical supplies and equipment; and performs related work as required ... Mounts and operates master stream appliances from an aerial ladder or elevating platform;

All JobsAerial Firefighting JobsAerial Firefighting Jobs in Virginia

Aerial Firefighting information

See Virginia salary details

$28.3K

$59.1K

$99.1K

How much do aerial firefighting jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for aerial firefighting in Virginia is $59,095.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,100.00 and $68,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Aerial Firefighting vs Helicopter Pilot?

AspectAerial FirefightingHelicopter Pilot
Required CertificationsCommercial Pilot License, Firefighting-specific trainingCommercial Pilot License, often with helicopter ratings
Work EnvironmentFire zones, remote areas, often during emergenciesVarious, including transport, surveillance, and firefighting support
Employer & Industry UsageFire departments, government agencies, firefighting contractorsAirlines, charter companies, government agencies, firefighting services

While both roles involve piloting helicopters, aerial firefighting focuses on using aircraft to combat wildfires, requiring specialized firefighting training. Helicopter pilots may work in diverse sectors, including transportation and surveillance, with less emphasis on firefighting-specific skills. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the industry.

What Are Aerial Firefighting Jobs?

Aerial firefighting jobs involve flying a plane or helicopter to extinguish wildfires, protect property, and save lives. Pilots fly as part of a crew and drop water or other fire retardants to contain the fire and minimize damage. Some aerial firefighters are “smokejumpers,” which means they parachute or rappel into wildfire areas to combat their spread. As an aerial firefighter, your responsibilities involve preserving woodlands and deserts while protecting the safety of residents and your crew, so these jobs are not for the faint of heart. You must be physically fit and able to endure stressful situations and harsh conditions for extended periods. Additionally, both roles require specialized training.

What is aerial firefighting?

Aerial firefighting is the use of aircraft to combat wildfires from the air. Specialized planes and helicopters drop water or fire retardant chemicals directly onto fires or in strategic locations to slow their spread. These aircraft can also be used for reconnaissance, mapping, and transporting firefighters or equipment to hard-to-reach areas. Aerial firefighting is often coordinated with ground crews to maximize effectiveness and ensure safety. This method is essential in managing large, fast-moving, or remote wildfires.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Aerial Firefighting, and why are they important?

To thrive in aerial firefighting, you need advanced piloting skills, knowledge of fire behavior, and completion of specialized firefighting and aviation training. Experience with aircraft like helicopters or fixed-wing air tankers, FAA certifications, and proficiency in using GPS navigation and radio communication systems are typically required. Outstanding teamwork, decision-making under pressure, and situational awareness are crucial soft skills for this high-risk environment. These abilities are essential to ensure safety, effective wildfire suppression, and coordination with ground crews during complex emergency missions.

What are some of the biggest challenges faced by aerial firefighting crews during wildfire season?

Aerial firefighting crews often contend with unpredictable weather conditions, rapidly changing fire behavior, and challenging terrain that can make flying and water drops both risky and complex. Coordinating with ground teams is essential, as is maintaining constant communication to ensure safety and maximize effectiveness. Additionally, long hours and high-stress situations require strong teamwork and adaptability, making both physical fitness and mental resilience key components of success in this role.
More about Aerial Firefighting jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Aerial Firefighting jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Aerial Firefighting jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Aerial Firefighting jobs in Virginia? For Aerial Firefighting jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Aerial Firefighting jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Aerial Firefighting jobs in Virginia are:
Aerial Firefighting jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aerial Firefighting job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, and 18% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $59,095 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

FIREFIGHTER (INTERMEDIATE LIFE SUPPORT)

CNIC Careers

On-site

$56K/yr

Other

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

You will serve as a FIREFIGHTER in the Navy Fire and Emergency Services, Regional Fire Directorate of NAVWPNSTA.Qualifications:For GS-08:
Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Providing emergency care to injured and/or ill patients; 2) Communicating over the radio with Emergency Room personnel to provide detailed report of the medical case (e.g. patient history, current medical condition, treatment, and current patient status); 3) Performing rescue operations; operating radio equipment; performing fire suppression as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department brigade. NOTE: This information must be supported in your resume to be considered for the position.
This position requires the incumbent to possess the following certifications for the GS-08: Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazmat Awareness, Hazmat Operations, Driver Operator Pumper. These certifications must have been awarded by DoD, IFSAC or ProBoard to meet the requirements. Also requires National Registry Emergency Medical Technician-P (Paramedic).
The following certification, if not already held, must be obtained within 12 months of hire as mandatory condition of position: Hazmat Technician and Driver Operator Aerial. If you do not possess all of the above certifications, and provide verification with your application, you will be rated ineligible.
For GS-09:
Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-08 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Providing fire prevention, fire protection, and fire suppression services; 2) Operating a wide variety of firefighting apparatus and equipment; 3) Responding to and/or mitigating hazardous materials incidents; and 4) Providing emergency medical care and/or basic, intermediate, and advanced life support measures. NOTE: This information must be supported in your resume to be considered for the position.
This position requires the incumbent to possess the following certifications for the GS-09: Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazmat Awareness, Hazmat Operations, Driver Operator Pumper. These certifications must have been awarded by DoD, IFSAC or ProBoard to meet the requirements. Also requires National Registry Emergency Medical Technician-P (Paramedic)
The following certification, if not already held, must be obtained within 12 months of hire as mandatory condition of position: Hazmat Technician and Driver Operator Aerial. If you do not possess all of the above certifications, and provide verification with your application, you will be rated ineligible.
If selected below the full performance level, you may be noncompetitively promoted to the next higher grade level after meeting all regulatory requirements, and upon the recommendation of management. Promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability to successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or final job offer being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment. You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0000/fire-protection-and-prevention-series-0081/
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:This job does not have an education qualification requirement.Employment Type: OTHER

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