Entry Level Helicopter Pilot Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $88,497.76 Annually
Location : City of Pasadena, CA
Job Type: Full -Time
Job Number: 27-024
Department: Police
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 10/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Start your career in law enforcement with the City of Pasadena!
CURRENT SALARY - (While Attending the Academy) is $42.55/hour or an ANNUAL SALARY of $88,497.76. After successful completion of the Police Academy, the salary is increased to $53.0216 - $61.4889 /hour or an ANNUAL SALARY OF $110,284.98 - $127,896.86. There are overtime opportunities such as Rose Bowl and City-wide events.
Once you become a Police Officer there are also multiple assignments offered with premium pay, such as Motorcycle Patrol, Aircraft/Helicopter Pilot, Helicopter Observer Duty, (Field Training Officer (FTO), Gang Detail, and Special Investigations.
If you possess an Advanced POST as a Police Officer, you will be eligible to receive differential pay of 16.5% of base pay.
As a Police Officer, if you have a Junior standing at an accredited college (typically completing at least sixty college units) - $175 per month; an Associate degree from an accredited college - $225 per month; a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college, you will be eligible to receive differential pay of $550.00 per month.
We are looking for dedicated and ambitious men and women who are committed to protect and serve our vibrant, beautiful, and diverse community! Pasadena is a great place to be a Police Officer - big enough to offer a range of different assignments and opportunities, but small enough for you to really feel part of a strong, cohesive team. Get involved with major Rose Bowl events, Old Town activities, movie and TV filming, and many more diverse and active events that continually take place in Pasadena. You'll be part of it all - come build a rewarding and exciting career.
The City of Pasadena is embarking on a hiring process for Police Trainee.
***For this application filing period, the City of Pasadena will not administer a written exam; candidates who meet the criteria below and provide the required documentation will be considered. ***
WRITTEN EXAMINATION -
Submit test results from one of the two test options below. Scores that are dated within one (1) year of the application date and meet the minimum passing score will be accepted.
Candidates must complete the National Testing Network (NTN) Frontline Law Enforcement Written Exam prior to submitting their application. Applications submitted without a qualifying NTN test score on file will not be considered
National Testing Network (NTN) Frontline Law Enforcement Written Exam
City of Pasadena offers full testing services for the position of Police Trainee through National Testing Network (NTN). To register with NTN and schedule a test, go to www.nationaltestingnetwork.com, select 'Find Jobs', then select Law Enforcement Jobs and sign up for City of Pasadena.

• This exam is administered directly by the National Testing Network (NTN) and candidates pay a test fee for the service. There are multiple test sites in Southern California, as well as throughout the Country.
• To schedule a test, visit the National Testing Network website by clicking Select the Pasadena Police Department and the specific position you are applying to.
• NTN will submit the scores to City of Pasadena Human Resources for review.
• Do NOT submit a test score if you do not meet the job qualifications.

Candidates need a score of 55% or higher in the Video Section, 65% or higher in the Writing Section, and 65% or higher in the Reading Section to pass this examination.
National Testing Network is a service provided to conduct entry level testing in a standardized, professional environment. National Testing Network does not replace the City of Pasadena's responsibility and decision making in the testing process. All candidate results are provided to City of Pasadena where the final decisions are made.
OR
P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB)

• By submitting a T-score for a California POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLET B) exam taken from an outside agency within one year from the time of application. Candidates with a minimum T-score of 45 will be invited to the physical agility exam. (To be considered for a waiver, you must attach a copy of your T-score to your application upon submittal. The T-score must be on agency letterhead from the agency that administered the written exam.

Physical Agility Exam - TBD
Location:
The Rose Bowl Pasadena Lot H
1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA 91103
Attendance to the Physical Agility exam is mandatory
The ideal candidate will have graduated from high school, GED or other high school equivalency certificate, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved institution; be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment and legally authorized to work in the United States; have a strong interest in a career in law enforcement; have the physical and ethical capacity and values needed to perform the duties of a Police Officer; and a strong interest in serving the community of Pasadena.
NOTE:
Police Trainee is a temporary employment status (non-benefit) in an encumbered Police Officer position. This status cannot exceed six months while a candidate participates in preparation for becoming a Police Officer, including attending a police academy and obtaining a Basic POST certification. After obtaining the POST certification, a Police Trainee may be offered a regular status position of Police Officer
Essential Functions
As a Police Trainee, upon successful completion of a 6-month police academy and obtain a Basic POST certification you will be eligible to become a regular full time Police Officer. Click to review job details for Police Officers.
CORE COMPETENCIES needed for success:

• Analytical skills able to evaluate sensitive and/or dangerous situations quickly and takes effective and reasonable actions.
• Demonstrates honesty and high moral character must meet our high standards for background. (As determined by a thorough background investigation.)
• Demonstrates respectful community policing ability to have considerate behavior for people and neighborhoods.
• Flexibility adapts to frequent changes.
• Physically ability to make a forceful arrest, lift and carry up to 20 pounds on a regular basis, maneuver a 165 pound person in need of assistance; climb, walk, and run at times under demanding and dangerous conditions; can work outdoors in all kinds of weather.
• Reading comprehension ability to read and understand departmental policies, rules, instructions, laws, regulations, and police literature.
• Service oriented motivates to serve our citizens.
• Strong moral and physical courage enforces the law and deals with a variety of challenging situations.
• Strong oral communication skills interacts and communicates tactfully and effectively with a culturally diverse populations.
• Written communication skills to write clear and accurate reports.

Qualification Guidelines
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Graduation from high school, GED or other high school equivalency certificate, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved institution. Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment and legally authorized to work in the United States.
Special Requirements

• Possession of a Class C California Driver's License at the time of appointment and as a condition of continued employment.
• Vision for candidates wearing glasses must be at least 20/100 correctable to 20/30; for candidates who have successfully worn soft contact lenses for at least one year, vision must be 20/200 uncorrected, correctable to 20/30; free from color blindness.
• Conviction of any felony offense, certain misdemeanor offenses, or any offense reflecting lack of character, judgment, or morals, or any other than honorable military discharge may be cause for disqualification.
• Found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS OVERVIEW

1. APPLICATION - We currently have an open testing process for Police Trainee, and the closing date had been extended to: New extended date 10/1/2026.
2. WRITTEN TEST - (Qualifying) - You have received a passing score on the Frontline National Law Enforcement Examination administered by the National Testing Network (NTN) based on the criteria set by the City of Pasadena or have taken and passed California POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) exam and/or have taken and passed the City of Pasadena Police Trainee exam within one year from time of application
3. PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST - (Qualifying) - The physical fitness test consists of the following: 30 Push-Ups: Complete 30 push-ups within 2 minutes. (Pass/Fail)30 Sit-Ups: Complete 30 sit-ups within 2 minutes. (Pass/Fail)1.5 Mile Run: Complete one and a half (1.5) miles on a flat surface within 14 minutes. (Pass/Fail). Lift and drag a 165-pound lifelike dummy, 32 feet within 10.0 seconds (Pass / Fail). Wear appropriate attire, such as running shoes, running shorts, T-shirts, sweats, etc. At the completion of the physical agility test, you will be notified onsite if you passed or failed the examination. Those who do not qualify will not be eligible to continue in the selection process
4. ORAL INTERVIEW EXAMINATION (Weight 100%) - Applicants will be asked 5-10 questions from current Pasadena Police Field Training Officers on knowledge such as demographics of the city, interest in the Pasadena Police Department, what you have done to prepare to become a Police Officer which includes two scenario questions. If you successfully pass the Physical Agility Test, you will then proceed to an on-site interview which will be held after the Physical Agility Test.
5. ELIGIBLE LIST - Your score on the structured interview will determine your placement and ranking on the eligible list. If you received a qualifying score, you will remain on the eligible list for one year. Qualified candidates on the eligible list may be certified to the Police Department for background investigation. Depending upon the number of vacant positions available and the number of candidates in background, the top qualified candidates on the eligible list will be referred first.
6. VETERANS PREFERENCE POINTS - Three points will be added to the final qualifying score for veterans who served at least one year of active military duty and submit documentary evidence of honorable discharge with their application.
7. PERSONAL HISTORY REVIEW - The Personal History Review process is conducted by the Police Department. Be advised that by receiving and completing this packet does not automatically put you in the background process. It merely allows the Police Department to determine your suitability towards moving forward with a complete background investigation.
8. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION - The background investigation will include a comprehensive investigation of your background, education and employment history (including a credit, criminal and DMV review), a polygraph examination, a psychological examination, and a medical examination.
9. POLICE CHIEF'S BACKGROUND FILE REVIEW AND ORAL INTERIVEW - (Qualifying) Contents of the background file and results of the background investigation will also be evaluated by the Police Chief.
10. POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION -(Qualifying) - Candidates will take a polygraph examination designed to determine truthfulness of the candidate's responses about his/her qualifications and suitability as a Police Officer.
11. PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION - (Qualifying) - Candidates will be interviewed by a licensed psychologist to assess the candidate's behavior and character to determine if an individual is at significant risk for employment problems as a Peace Officer. NOTE: Prior to appointment, a medical examination will be conducted.

Those candidates who successfully complete all phases of this process may be appointed to the at-will position of Police Trainee with the City of Pasadena, with the intention of being appointed as a Police Officer after successful completion of the Police Academy.
Police Trainee is a temporary employment status (non-benefit) in an encumbered Police Officer position. This status cannot exceed six months while a candidate participates in preparation for becoming a Police Officer, including attending a police academy and obtaining a Basic POST certification. After obtaining the POST certification, a Police Trainee may be offered a regular status position of Police Officer.
FICA Alternative Plan:
The City of Pasadena does not participate in Social Security. In lieu of Social Security, hourly employees who are not already members of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) are automatically enrolled in the FICA Alternative plan administered by Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS) upon date of hire. Employees contribute 7.5% of the gross earnings on a pre-tax basis to the plan.
Existing CalPERS members only:
The City of Pasadena contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) to offer a defined benefits program for eligible employees.
"New" CalPERS members are subject to the provisions of the