Aircraft Pilot Jobs in Baton Rouge, LA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $5,119.00 - $9,211.00 Monthly
Location : Oakdale, LA
Job Type: Classified
Job Number: FOR-140166-8.19.26-TW
Department: DAF-Agriculture and Forestry
Opening Date: 08/19/2026
Closing Date: 9/2/2026 11:59 PM Central
About this Job
Job#FOR-140166-8.19.26-TWThis position is located in the Office of Forestry, Aviation division, at the at the Oakdale Airport (KACP), LA, located in Allen Parish.
Ready to make a difference in protecting Louisiana's forests? Jointhe Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry as an Aircraft Pilot! This is a professional ASEL firefighting career. The candidate will be required to operate a Cessna 182 flying under visual (day & night) and instrument flight rules per the FAA's Commercial Pilot Airplane Airman Certification Standards (ACS) & Instrument Rating ACS. During visual daylight conditions the candidate will be required to orbit for extended durations over specified locations utilizing electronic and / or paper maps, communicating with ATC and ground crews via VHF & UHF radios at various altitudes, while maintaining situational awareness during firefighting activities.
Candidate Preference:
Candidates should be current in an Airplane Single Engine Land (), should have an unexpired FAA First-class or Second-class medical certificate, and meet the minimum flight time requirements at the time of application.
**Applicants MUST attach a copy of the front and back of your FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate or ATP Certificate, copy of both sides of your CFI Certificate (if applicable), copy of your FAA First-Class or Second-Class Medical Certificate, and if applicable, college transcripts to the employment application prior to the closing date of this job posting. **
Why Join Us?

• Work in breathtaking natural settings
• Enjoy competitive pay and great benefits
• Make a real impact on the environment
• Be part of a passionate, supportive team

LDAF cares about the well-being of its employees! We offer a fully employer-funded Employee Assistance Program (EAP), providing valuable support and resources to help you and your household members thrive at work and at home. The EAP is also free for all members of your household.If you're ready to step up, stand out, and help safeguard our forests, apply today and start your next adventure!
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first-class or second-class medical certificate and either of the following:
1. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot license with instrument rating with 500 hours of recorded flight time.
2. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to check out on the model and types of aircraft to be flown.
Possession of appropriate ratings, waivers and/or certificates that may be required by the position to which the appointment is being made.
Job Specification
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Duties and Other Information
Job Duties:
Incumbent of this position will perform skilled technical aviation work in the operation of aircraft in providing fire patrol, freight and passenger service for the Office of Forestry, Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Work includes forest fire detection and suppression activities, forest insect and disease patrol and survey, transportation of various materials and supplies, and the transport of personnel engaged in various forestry activities. Work is performed in accordance with rules and regulations for the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Supervision of this position is received from the LDAF Aircraft Fleet Command Pilot or an LDAF Aircraft Fleet Chief Pilot(s).

• Responsible for the operation of a single-engine airplane in wild land fire detection and suppression activities.
• Responsible for reporting all wildfires located to the appropriate Office of Forestry dispatcher and/or the respective parish supervisor.
• During both routine and large fire operations, the pilot may be asked to provide information on the following fire suppression activities: Determining fire priority for multiple fire situations, directing crews to fire locations, directing initial suppression attack, directing fire crew(s) escape route from life threatening situations, etc.), assists ground crews with equipment maintenance, ground support, and mitigation program requirements.
• Responsible for detection and survey flights pertaining to insect and disease outbreaks; this involves flying a preset grid in order that a forester or other observer may make air observations for the purpose of pinpointing damaged forest areas on aerial maps.
• Determines the suitability of weather conditions and other factors related to safe flying; this includes the occasions when the incumbent is called upon to fly patrol when weather is below visual flight rule minimums due to smoke and/or haze. Will use own judgment on whether or not to fly.
• Required to participate in an Aviation Safety Continuing Education Program on a quarterly basis.
• Required to be recertified each year by an approved agency check pilot.
• May assist the Office of Forestry Safety Coordinator for an assigned location.
• May assist the Office of Forestry Safety Coordinator for training, documentation, and audits associated with the Office of Forestry safety program.
• Ensures that all fight records including flight plans are filed, updated, and maintained.
• Ensure that all aircraft maintenance, records, and equipment are up to date and available upon request for the aircraft that he/she is currently flying.
• Responsible for transporting administrative personnel and personnel engaged in forestry activities, as well as transport needed supplies and materials.

Other duties as may be assigned.
Functional Requirements
-Moderate light lifting, 30 pounds with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds
-Sit over a long period of time while on wildfire patrols
-Frequent reaching above shoulder height
-Occasional bending or kneeling
-Climbing stairs and ladders
-Walking and standing (8 hours)
-Drive a vehicle for long periods of time to perform various duties
Environmental Factors
-Working indoors and outdoors
-Excessive heat and humidity
-Required to wear appropriate safety protection
-Working around routine neighborhood residential and wild land hazards
-Occasionally working in moderately cold temperatures for short periods of time
-Exposed to smoke and dust
All Currencies shall be maintained as the weather permits. The LDAF aircraft may be used for currencies.
1. A minimum of three takeoffs and landings during visual daylight hours shall be made within each 90 consecutive days of employment.
2. A minimum of three takeoffs and landings during visual night hours shall be made to a full stop within each 90 consecutive days of employment.
3. A minimum of six instrument approaches, holding procedures and tasks, intercepting and tracking courses shall be completed within every 6 months of employment. This may be simulated or actual. Another LDAF pilot may be a safety pilot.
*Special consideration will be given to applicants who possess any of the following:
High-Performance Endorsement
Complex Endorsement
Cessna 182 experience
Garmin GTN 750 / GTN 650 experience
Garmin G5 or EFIS-Electronic Flight Instrument experience
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) ASEL or Certified Instrument Flight Instructor ASEL
Position-Specific Details:
Appointment Type: Full-time, Probational
Career Progression: This position may be filled as an Aircraft Pilot 1 or 2, depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant.
The starting annual salary for each level in this Career Progression Group is as follows:
The starting salary for an Aircraft Pilot 1 is $61,422.00annually.
The starting salary for an Aircraft Pilot 2 is $65,728.00 annually.
Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.
Other Benefits: Aircraft Pilot 1 and 2 qualifies for an additional $1.73 per hour hazardous duty pay. Hazardous Duty Pay is only paid per hour worked. An LDAF vehicle and LDAF fuel card may be provided for transportation for work duties. The applicant must reside within a maximum of a 60-minute drive to
their assigned work domicile (office) and their assigned hangar. An EKG is required yearly after employment if the pilot maintains a Second-class medical certificate. LDAF reimburses the Second-class medical certificate and EKG annually after employment. LDAF may reimburse CFI renewals every 2 years after employment.
Location: This position is located within the Office of Forestry, in Allen Parish.
How To Apply:
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.
To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
*Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry strictly prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, national origin, military service, sickle cell trait, protected genetic information or other non-merit factor. LDAF also strictly prohibits employment decisions based upon or influenced by such factors.
All candidates for hire must undergo drug screening.
This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization.
For further information about this vacancy, contact:
Tiffany Waddell
HR Analyst
Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 1001
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.
As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:
Insurance Coverage More information can be found at
Parental Leave - Up to six weeks paid parental leave
More information can be found at
Holidays and Leave - State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

***** Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor
State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.
Retirement- State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (), among others

01
To ensure compliance with the LDAF Nepotism Policy, do you have any immediate family members or relatives who are currently employed with the LDAF? Immediate family member is defined as children (blood, step, adopted), spouse, brother, sister, father, mother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, mother-in-law and father-in-law. Relative includes immediate family members previously defined and also includes grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, uncle, aunt, niece and nephew.

• Yes
• No

02
If you answered "yes" to the above question, please list the name of your immediate family member and/or relatives currently employed by the LDAF. If you answered "no" to the above question, enter N/A.
03
Are you currently a classified employee of Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry serving with permanent status?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you have a valid Louisiana driver's license?

• Yes
• No

05
The incumbent of this position may drive a state-owned vehicle during working hours. Office of Risk Management prohibits drivers with three or more moving violations in a one-year per