Arizona DPS Pilot

[Lucky Strike]

Does anyone have knowledge of pilot position being advertised with Arizona DPS. Mainly, are their pilots dual qualified in fixed & rotor wing...or do they keep them separate?

 

[Rough67]

bump..

 

[bentpilot]

Here are the fixed wing job descriptions:

Dual qual not required. Just lots of King Air time.
Work four tens. Take home car.
Almost no RONs, few weekends.
Pay improving. Live in Phoenix.

Fixed Wing Pilot I:
http://www.azdps.gov/hr/employment/viewjob.asp?ID=68

Fixed Wing Pilot II:
http://www.azdps.gov/hr/employment/viewjob.asp?ID=69

Add in another 10% on top of the published pay.

Good luck.

 

[Lucky Strike]

bump..

Rough67-

I did a search and didn't come up with anything. I know what's advertised for the job. I'm scheduled for interview in a couple of weeks. I wanted some inside info...that's why I asked here.

 

[Lucky Strike]

Thanks for the info.

Here are the fixed wing job descriptions:

Dual qual not required. Just lots of King Air time.
Work four tens. Take home car.
Almost no RONs, few weekends.
Pay improving. Live in Phoenix.

Fixed Wing Pilot I:
http://www.azdps.gov/hr/employment/viewjob.asp?ID=68

Fixed Wing Pilot II:
http://www.azdps.gov/hr/employment/viewjob.asp?ID=69

Add in another 10% on top of the published pay.

Good luck.

 

[Rough67]

Rough67-

I did a search and didn't come up with anything. I know what's advertised for the job. I'm scheduled for interview in a couple of weeks. I wanted some inside info...that's why I asked here.

gotcha.. that other post of mine was my own double post looking for the same info before I searched and found your post

 

[Resume Writer]

Lucky,

My mother was a Pilot for them in the early 1980s. She mainly flew the King Air and Cessna aircraft for speed detail. I do not remember them having helicopters - but then again that was more than 20 years ago!

 

[Resume Writer]

One more hint - you need to detail your experience in your resume and/or cover letter for the areas that they detail in the job posting.

When the State hires, the initial screening process happens in HR. They literally take the stack of resumes and the job posting and see if your experience matches their list. If it does, you go in the "qualified" pile. If they cannot discern whether you have that experience and/or requirements, you go into the "not qualified" pile.

From there, all the resumes are then placed in a file to be reviewed by the department that is hiring. Now, the more detailed and better formatted resume will typically get the interview - as they usually only take about 5-10 people out of the stack for the initial interview.

Make sure you address their issues and you will likely rise to the top of the stack!

 

[bentpilot]

Thanks for the info.

... 10-4

 

[xdrvr]

Does anyone have knowledge of pilot position being advertised with Arizona DPS. Mainly, are their pilots dual qualified in fixed & rotor wing...or do they keep them separate?

Separate quals, in the past most rotor guys are ex military...

 

[AA717driver]

Lucky,

My mother was a Pilot for them in the early 1980s. She mainly flew the King Air and Cessna aircraft for speed detail. I do not remember them having helicopters - but then again that was more than 20 years ago!

Kathy--Your mom flew for DPS? Did she know a guy named Dave Mundy? I flew with him at StatesWest in '87. He had just left DPS to go there. He's now at AWA.

Take care.Tim C.

 

[Lucky Strike]

One more hint - you need to detail your experience in your resume and/or cover letter for the areas that they detail in the job posting.

When the State hires, the initial screening process happens in HR. They literally take the stack of resumes and the job posting and see if your experience matches their list. If it does, you go in the "qualified" pile. If they cannot discern whether you have that experience and/or requirements, you go into the "not qualified" pile.

From there, all the resumes are then placed in a file to be reviewed by the department that is hiring. Now, the more detailed and better formatted resume will typically get the interview - as they usually only take about 5-10 people out of the stack for the initial interview.

Make sure you address their issues and you will likely rise to the top of the stack!

Thank you, Kathy. I must of did something right, because they called me for an interview. Now, what that will consist of , I don't know. I asked, and they told me NOT to bring my logbooks. I've never had an interview where logsbooks were not reviewed?
For any one else reading, do you know if they'll send you to get rotor qualified? I doubt it, from what I've read. I live in Louisiana, and I know our DPS does dual qualify everyone.

 

[Resume Writer]

Thank you, Kathy. I must of did something right, because they called me for an interview. Now, what that will consist of , I don't know. I asked, and they told me NOT to bring my logbooks. I've never had an interview where logsbooks were not reviewed?

There could be a few reasons for that. First, from your profile, it looks like you have been flying for a long time, so maybe they have determined you have the qualifications.

Second, and what I believe is the real reason, is that you will probably be having a Panel Interview. That is very common in government positions - which this is, as you will be working for the State of Arizona.

In these panel interviews, generally there are anywhere from 2-6 people. It will most likely consist of a person from HR, the Chief Pilot, and then some other people who will not have a direct relation to the flight department - but are likely people who are friends with the Chief Pilot. There might be someone from the Arizona Department of Transportation. Who knows!

The first interview might also be with just a person from HR, but I highly doubt that.

If you pass this interview, you will probably have an interview with the Chief Pilot and perhaps another pilot from the department.

I might be wrong on all of this - but this is what the typical process is for State jobs.

Good luck!

 

[flyinlow67]

Is this a sworn position, or civilian?

 

[Lostdog65]

Last I heard it was a sworn position....ie: you get to carry a gun!

Eric

 

[bentpilot]

Is this a sworn position, or civilian?

It is civilian or sworn. Pro's and con's for both. Pay is the same. Retirement is not. Not many sworn folks meet the King Air quals ... ATP w/2000 PIC , 500 multi PIC.

 

[PHX767]

Must have posted about the same time.

It's listed as a civilian position. But says something to the effect of "if qualified.." you may exercise those priveleges as a gun toter.

Luckystrike: When did you send in the app, and when did they call for the interview?

 

[Lucky Strike]

Must have posted about the same time.

It's listed as a civilian position. But says something to the effect of "if qualified.." you may exercise those priveleges as a gun toter.

Luckystrike: When did you send in the app, and when did they call for the interview?

I applied when the position was first posted some time ago...approximately 4-5 months ago I think. I'd given up on it actually. They sent me a letter about 5 days ago for the invite.

 

[PHX767]

Lucky,

Thanks for the info.

I applied for the position just a few weeks ago. If it doesn't work out for you, tell them to call me!

 

[Lucky Strike]

Lucky,

Thanks for the info.

I applied for the position just a few weeks ago. If it doesn't work out for you, tell them to call me!

OK...I called today and talked to somone in HR trying to find out if your fixed wing, if they would qualify you in rotors, or vice-versa. He didn't know, so I guess I'll have to ask in the interview.

I think it's probably a good, stable gig...but I don't know if it's worth it for me to go fly King Air's again for the rest of my career. I'd do it in a heart-beat if they'd send me to get rotor qualified.

I guess I'll find out.

 

[bentpilot]

OK...I called today and talked to somone in HR trying to find out if your fixed wing, if they would qualify you in rotors, or vice-versa. He didn't know, so I guess I'll have to ask in the interview.

I think it's probably a good, stable gig...but I don't know if it's worth it for me to go fly King Air's again for the rest of my career. I'd do it in a heart-beat if they'd send me to get rotor qualified.

I guess I'll find out.

DPS will absolutely NOT train you to become a helicopter pilot. You are either a fixed wing pilot (flying King Air's and single engine Cessna's [on law enforcement missions]) or a rotary wing pilot flying 407's.

If you want to be trained by somone to fly a helicopter, join the military. You will be dissapointed if you are hired by DPS as a fixed wing pilot, expecting anything else.

 

[Lostdog65]

I applied 4 months ago...got the letter of disapproval...said I didn't meet their qualifications. Musta been something I ate as my time was more than enough for their mins.

Good luck and let us know how the interview goes!

Eric

 

[Lucky Strike]

DPS will absolutely NOT train you to become a helicopter pilot. You are either a fixed wing pilot (flying King Air's and single engine Cessna's [on law enforcement missions]) or a rotary wing pilot flying 407's.

And you 'absolutely' know this HOW? I feel you are correct, but back up your statement...otherwise, I'll verify in interview.

If you want to be trained by somone to fly a helicopter, join the military.

Already did the military thing.

You will be dissapointed if you are hired by DPS as a fixed wing pilot, expecting anything else.

I won't be expecting anything I don't already know as fact...I'm not that naive.

 

[Lucky Strike]

I applied 4 months ago...got the letter of disapproval...said I didn't meet their qualifications. Musta been something I ate as my time was more than enough for their mins.

Good luck and let us know how the interview goes!

Eric

After a few months of not hearing anything, I called them and the lady I talked to was very nice. She said she knew they were looking for guys with at least 1500 hrs in King Airs. I barely met those mins, though I had lots of other turbine time.

 

[Lucky Strike]

For those involved in this discussion...here's the scoop. I was interviewed by 3 pilots...2 fixed wing, and 1 rotor. They asked several technical questions which were all based on Part 91 ops. It is my understanding that all applicants were graded on these same questions. At the end, you were given an opportunity to expound on your experience and were graded on this also. The interviewers did not have your application to review. After the interview, I was informed by the HR guy that I had passed the interview portion and was invited for the flt eval the next day. I expected this much, but was surprised when he told me that they had over 2000 applications for this position...out of these, about 12 were invited for the interview portion over a 2 day period. Out of these, only 2 were selected for the flt eval...me and another guy. I was not expecting this.

During the interview, I was allowed to ask questions. Of course, as I stated earlier, my main question was whether the pilots were dual qualified. The answer, as I expected and was told by someone on this forum, was 'No'. The two divisions are totally separate. As a matter of fact, I had the opportunity to talk to one of the rotor guys at the flt eval, and he desired to move over to the fixed-wing side, but was not allowed. Also, the position does not require you to be a sworn officer. It used to be required, but not anymore for the fixed-wing guys. The rotor guys are required to be sworn. Anyway, after learning this, my mind was made to not take the position...it just wasn't the right situation for me. With the cut in pay I'd have to take , plus the outrageous housing prices in PHX...I couldn't justify it.

Everyone I met was very professional, and it looked like a first class operation. For someone already established in PHX, it would be a great job. Whoever gets the position will be getting a great job.

 

[PHX767]

Everyone I met was very professional, and it looked like a first class operation. For someone already established in PHX, it would be a great job. Whoever gets the position will be getting a great job.

Thanks for the report, Lucky Strike.

I applied about a month ago, and last week I got a packet in the mail to expand on my flying experience and flight times.

I only have about 400 hrs in the King Air 200, with another 2000 hrs or so in the BE1900. If they are looking specifically for 200 time I will not be very competitive. If they consider a B1900 a big King Air...

Were the previous posts accurate re: pay, schedule, benefits, etc?

Also, did you do the flight eval, or hear what it was like?

Appreciate the good intel - this job sounds like a gem.

 

[Lucky Strike]

Thanks for the report, Lucky Strike.

I applied about a month ago, and last week I got a packet in the mail to expand on my flying experience and flight times.

I only have about 400 hrs in the King Air 200, with another 2000 hrs or so in the BE1900. If they are looking specifically for 200 time I will not be very competitive. If they consider a B1900 a big King Air...

I think they would consider your B1900 time...when I told them I'd also flown the B1900 and BE99, they nodded approvingly.

Were the previous posts accurate re: pay, schedule, benefits, etc?

Yes...you also get a take-home car as a fixed-wing guy...rotor guys , no. I was told this is because the fixed wing guys are on call more so. They have King Air 200 & E90, C210, and C182. Plans are to replace B200 with B350, and C210/182 with Caravan and C206. These are not firm plans, but hopes.

Also, did you do the flight eval, or hear what it was like?

Flt eval was standard inst/multi stuff. I told him it'd been about 15 yrs since I'd last flown a King Air, and he understood...really cool about it. Talked me thru the start up. Took off and went under the hood. Did some air work to get the feel back then simulated engine failure. Simulated securing engine and said I'd run the engine securing checklist. Went to some po-dunk airport around there and shot a single engine ILS to a miss. Then returned to PHX and got in line with everyone else to a normal ILS to full stop. No brainer in any airplane really. They realize they going to have to send you to FlightSafety anyway.

Appreciate the good intel - this job sounds like a gem.

aaaaa

 

[PHX767]

Thanks again Lucky Strike!

I appreciate the intel. I hope they will call me in soon.

One last thing: Did they say how many fixed wing pilots they are hiring?

 

[Lucky Strike]

Thanks again Lucky Strike!

I appreciate the intel. I hope they will call me in soon.

One last thing: Did they say how many fixed wing pilots they are hiring?

Only one position for now. If you make the cut, but are not hired, you'll be put in a pool for 18 months for any future hiring.

 

[Lostdog65]

Lucky Strike...

Thanks for the info...it was the King Air time that must have killed me...plenty of turbine but not enough KA time.

Sounds like a great job and I probably would have taken it if offered...just me tho...

Good luck in the great job search!

Eric