Piloting a departmental aircraft to provide aerial assistance in law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency medical transport, and official transportation is the core of this role. The position requires a pilot who can operate under limited supervision and exercise independent judgment in various flight conditions.
Responsibilities
Operate DPS aircraft in a safe and professional manner
Evaluate general safety of aircraft based on mechanical performance and ensure maintenance and repairs are performed when needed
Obtain latest weather information and make decisions on flight feasibility prior to each flight
Prepare and file flight plans if required
Inspect aircraft, test controls, inspect fuel and fluid levels, and perform related safety checks prior to loading passengers and baggage
Ensure aircraft is stored, refueled, and maintained properly upon arrival at destination and after return to home station
Pilot aircraft to search ground for evidence, persons, automobiles, or any item relevant to a criminal search or investigation
Scan ground while piloting aircraft to locate known objects of a search and/or discover evidence of value to criminal investigations, with or without specialized lighting or visual aid equipment
Relay status of air search to ground teams
Maintain sight of located objects and relay location to ground search team
Land aircraft and make appropriate arrests if necessary
Participate in surveillance activities by following in aircraft, usually remaining as inconspicuous as possible
Use a following device or other specialized equipment while piloting aircraft if needed
Assist other law enforcement officers by maintaining ground surveillance with a motor vehicle
Transport and assume responsibility for the welfare of protected witnesses and/or informants, large sums of money, or other items pertinent to an undercover investigation
Prepare aircraft and remove evidence of DPS and/or state ownership if pretending to be engaged in illegal activities
Transport prisoners, suspects, witnesses, informants, law enforcement officers, and others involved in criminal investigations and/or legal proceedings
Transport the Director, administrative personnel, other Department employees, and other state agencies' personnel throughout the state as requested
Provide transportation for photographers and other persons requiring an aerial view of a particular site related to public safety matters or other official state business, such as a crime scene, accident site, disaster area, etc.
Provide security for and transport the Governor and other state officials on selected occasions when the Department's aircraft are used
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Transport critically ill or injured persons from one medical facility to another
Prepare aircraft to accommodate patients and assist in loading and unloading patients
Provide aerial reconnaissance and surveillance of disasters, riots, and other emergencies and/or special sites
Evaluate scope, potential, and current dangers of the situation and relay information to the ground team
Transport medical supplies, food, and other emergency supplies
Transport officials to disaster sites
Inspect motorcade route while piloting aircraft to discover potential problem areas and inform appropriate security personnel
Fly reconnaissance route just prior to and during motorcade to maintain security and search for problems and dangers
Transport Traffic Law Enforcement personnel to monitor traffic flow from the air
Fly over highways after disasters and other severe conditions to inspect roads for passable conditions, stranded motorists, and/or dangers
Participate in search and rescue efforts by flying designated search areas looking for signs of lost persons
Pilot an aircraft, usually a helicopter, in all types of flight conditions to rescue stranded persons from rising water, mountains, buildings, aircraft crashes, etc.
Assist in traffic and criminal investigations and apprehensions by performing activities such as securing crime scenes, photographing evidence, questioning witnesses, and/or restraining suspects
Be familiar with and prepared to implement the Aircraft Operations Division’s Mishap Plan
Participate in hiring procedures as a member of interview boards
Maintain and submit records as pertaining to applicable reports as per General Manual Chapter 8
Attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies
Perform other duties as assigned
Requirements
Graduation from a standard senior high school, vocational school, or the equivalent and ninety (90) semester hours from an accredited college or university OR an Associate Degree
Academic requirements may be substituted by prior satisfactory employment as a Law Enforcement Officer or Honorable Military Service
Verifiable experience piloting turbine engine aircraft with max gross weight above 5,000 pounds
1,500 hours minimum of turbine time
At least 2,000 hours total time
Valid Texas Driver License
FAA Commercial Rating
FAA Instrument Rating
Current FAA medical certificate and must maintain a current second-class FAA medical certificate
Working knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly assimilate information related to TXDPS, State and Federal regulations, legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures
Knowledge of state and federal statutes, rules and regulations pertaining to traffic and criminal law enforcement
Knowledge of Department and Aircraft Operations Division policies and procedures
Thorough knowledge of FAA rules, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to the piloting of aircraft utilized by the Department
Knowledge of piloting skills and techniques, navigation, aircraft safety, and maintenance requirements
Ability to react calmly and to display leadership in emergency situations
Ability to evaluate and make sound decisions regarding flight conditions
Ability to work effectively and efficiently with co-pilot, other departmental personnel, other law enforcement and governmental agencies' personnel, and the general public
Organized, flexible, and able to effectively prioritize in a multi-demand and constantly changing environment
Able to meet multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines without sacrificing accuracy, timeliness or professionalism
Ability to construct and deliver clear, concise, and professional presentations to a variety of audiences and/or individuals
Ability to quickly and efficiently access relevant information, and be able to utilize and/or present research and conclusions in a clear and concise manner
Ability to examine data/information, discern variations/similarities, and be able identify trends, relationships and causal factors, as well as grasp issues, draw accurate conclusions, and solve problems
Appropriate levels of proficiency with utilized software and systems and be able to learn new software/systems
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information and situations, and adhere to applicable laws/statutes/policies related to access, maintenance and dissemination of information
Nice to have:
Verifiable prior law enforcement experience is preferred
Important Details
Close Date: 30 October 2026
Schedule: Full-Time, Regular
Residence: Must find residence within fifty (50) miles from Austin Bergstrom Airport within six (6) months of hire date
Travel: Frequent overnight and occasional weeklong travel is required
Availability: Subject to call twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week
Application Process
All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed
Resumes do not take the place of required information
Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting
To complete the supplemental questions, go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login and access your profile
About the Company
The Department of Public Safety provides aerial assistance in law enforcement activities, search and rescue, emergency medical transport, and transportation for state officials and other persons requiring departmental aircraft.
The overall mission of the Department of Public Safety is to improve the quality of life for North Carolinians by reducing crime and enhancing public safety.
