Aircraft Pilot

• Job ID: 34612, Agency: Public Safety, Location: Pierre, SD

• Salary: $43.27 - $45.67 Hourly, depending on qualifications, Pay Grade: K

• Closing Date: 02/05/2026

• Position for Aircraft Pilot to support the South Dakota Highway Patrol's aviation program, operating a Cessna Stationair 206.

• Responsibilities include search and rescue, disaster response, fire surveillance, civilian disturbance monitoring, passenger transport, and inspection of navigation equipment.

• Ideal candidate should be detail-oriented, able to focus under pressure, and have self-confidence and situational awareness.

• Location is negotiable; this is a Full-Time position with the Department of Public Safety.

• Required Licenses: FAA 2nd Class Medical Certificate and FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with ASEL and instrument rating.

• Ideal experience: 750 total flight hours, 250 hours fixed-wing PIC, with specific night, cross country, and instrument hours.

• Skills needed: Management of Unmanned Aircraft, flexibility for unplanned missions, teamwork, knowledge of FLIR, effective communication, and maintenance of aircraft.

• Position exempt from the Civil Service Act; eligible for Veterans’ Preference.

• Candidates must pass a background investigation; arrest/conviction records do not disqualify automatically.

• State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas, requires identity and eligibility verification.

• Benefits: $0 premium employee health insurance, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, dental, vision insurance, retirement benefits.

• Application must be made online; emailed resumes are not accepted.

• Contact: South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources, Telephone: 605.773.3148, Email: careers@state.sd.us.

• Equal Opportunity Employer.