PORT PILOT 5151

About the role

ANNUAL SALARY $264,758 (flat-rated) and $293,886 (flat-rated)

Notes

• Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade positions.
• Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.

A Port Pilot navigates oceangoing vessels entering or leaving Los Angeles Harbor and operates communications and navigational equipment.

Note

All entry level Paygrade I positions are temporary training positions. Employment in such positions is limited to two years during which time incumbents must qualify for advancement to the Port Pilot II level.

• Two years of recent (See Process Notes #1, #2, and #3 below) full-time paid experience as a United States Coast Guard licensed Master, Staff Captain, First Officer, or Chief Mate of an inspected vessel, of not less than 5,000 Gross Tons, upon oceans while holding at minimum, a current, valid United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential in the Capacity and Limitations (if any): Chief Mate of Self-Propelled Vessels not Including Auxiliary Sail of Unlimited Tonnage Upon Oceans with an endorsed capacity and limitations applying (if any) as a Radar Observer (Unlimited); or
• Three years of recent (See Process Notes #1, #2, and #3 below) full-time paid experience as an operator of a ship-assist tugboat within the confines of a major port of the United States, while holding at minimum, a current, valid United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential in the Capacity and Limitations (if any): Master of Self-Propelled Vessels not Including Auxiliary Sail of Less than 1,600 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) and Master of Towing Vessels with an endorsed capacity and limitations applying (if any) as a Radar Observer (Unlimited); or
• Two years of recent (See Process Notes #1, #2, and #3 below) full-time paid experience as a United States Coast Guard licensed Master or Chief Mate of an Articulated Tug Barge Unit (ATB) of not less than 9,000 Gross Tons upon oceans or near coastal waters, while holding at minimum, a current, valid United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential in the Capacity and Limitations (if any): Master of Self-Propelled Vessels not Including Auxiliary Sail of Unlimited Tonnage Upon Oceans or Master of Self-Propelled Vessels not Including Auxiliary Sail of Less than 1,600 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) Upon Oceans and Master of Towing Vessels Upon Oceans with an endorsed capacity and limitations applying (if any) as a Radar Observer (Unlimited); or
• Two years of recent (See Process Notes #1, #2, and #3 below) full-time paid experience as Master of Towing Vessels of not less than 99 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) engaged in towing barges greater than 5,000 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) upon oceans, near coastal, or inland waters of the United States while holding at minimum, a current, valid United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential in the Capacity and Limitations (if any), Master of Self-Propelled Vessels not Including Auxiliary Sail of Less than 1,600 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) and Master of Towing Vessels Upon Oceans with an endorsed capacity and limitations applying (if any) as a Radar Observer (Unlimited); or
• Three years of recent (See Process Notes #1, #2, and #3 below) full-time paid experience as a fully-trained port pilot whose duties include docking and undocking of oceangoing or coastwise vessels in a major port of the United States while holding at minimum, a current, valid United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential in the Capacity and Limitations (if any): Master of Self-Propelled Vessels not Including Auxiliary Sail of Unlimited Tonnage Upon Oceans or Master of Self-Propelled Vessels not Including Auxiliary Sail of Less than 1,600 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) and Master of Towing Vessels with an endorsed capacity and limitations applying (if any) as a Radar Observer (Unlimited).

Process Notes

• For Requirement #1, a year is 360 eight-hour days or 240 twelve-hour days; for Requirements #3 and #5, a year is 360 eight-hour days; and for Requirements #2 and #4, a year is 240 twelve-hour days (as defined in United States Coast Guard Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations 10.107). Sea service is calculated on documented days spent aboard a vessel that is operationally engaged in commercial operations. Sea service does not include days spent aboard a vessel that is in “laid up,” on “standby,” or in “ready reserve” status.
• Recent qualifying experience is defined as at least two years of full-time paid experience within five years immediately preceding the bulletin open date.
• Applicants who lack six months (180 eight-hour days for Requirements #1, #3, and #5; or 120 twelve hour-days for Requirements #1, #2, and #4) or less of the required experience at the time of filing may file for this examination. However, they cannot be appointed until the full experience requirement is met.
• All applicants must attach copies of the following documents to their on-line application at the time of filing:

(a) United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credentials,

(b) Their current and valid United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credentials with an endorsed capacity and limitations applying (if any) as a Radar Observer (Unlimited).

The above documents must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If these documents are attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, they will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted them. Applicants who fail to submit all of these documents at the time of filing by not attaching them to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.

• Applicants filing under Requirement #1, #2, #3, or #4 must submit, at the time of filing, their United States Coast Guard Sea Service Discharge Certificates or Declarations complying with Code of Civil Procedures Section 2015.5 by both the applicant and the person verifying the experience, for all vessels to be used as qualifying experience. Sea service discharges/letters of service shall include at minimum: your name, the name of the vessel, the gross tonnage of the vessel, the start and end date of shipment and the capacity in which you service. The copy of the Certificate/Declarations must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the Certificate/Declarations is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted it. Applicants who fail to submit the Certificate/Declarations at the time of filing by not attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.
• Prior to appointment, all candidates will be required to present proof of their current United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credentials with an endorsed capacity and limitations applying (if any) as a First Class Pilot of Vessels of any Gross Tons upon the Waters of Los Angeles – Long Beach Harbors including San Pedro Bay and Approaches (Limitations of vessels of less than 40,000 Gross Tons will be accepted.)
• Prior to appointment, applicants filing under Requirement #5 shall provide a letter from their State Board of Pilot Commissioners or the President of their Pilot Association attesting to their hire date as a trainee, the date they completed training, the date they started piloting vessels as a fully trained and Qualified Pilot, the dates of any extended lapses in service, and their most recent date performing ship moves.
• A major port is defined as one where pilotage and a valid first-class pilot’s license is required according to State (46 USC Sec. 8501) and/or Federal (46 CFR 15.812) law.
• As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required at the time of filing. Applicants will be deemed ineligible for hire if their DMV record reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation within the last 36 months in any state or jurisdiction. The City of Los Angeles reserves the right to issue a notice of ineligibility at any time before a final job offer is extended.
• Employees in the class must possess and maintain the physical stamina and agility to be able to board onto and disembark from ships at sea by climbing a Jacob’s ladder in all manners of weather and sea conditions.

Applications will only be accepted on-line. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the “Apply” icon.

Note

Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.

Applications must be received by THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2026.

In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination.

To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order: 1) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles who meet the minimum requirements, or are on a reserve list; 2) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates.

Applications submitted during the filing period may be kept on file in the event that additional applicants need to be tested to meet hiring needs.

Interview.............100%

The examination will consist entirely of an interview.

In the interview, the following competencies may be evaluated: Judgment and Decision Making; Composure; Job Interest; Teamwork; Credibility; Oral Communication; Safety Focus, including navigation principles necessary to pilot a vessel in to or out of the Port of Los Angeles; Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: Federal, State, and Departmental laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation and piloting of vessels in the Port of Los Angeles; necessary communication equipment for use while piloting a vessel, such as radio telephones and/or portable radios; radar equipment and electronic navigation devices and their use, such as reading radar overlays and interpreting information in the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS); maritime laws pertaining to the pilot-master relationship, including their duties and responsibilities when piloting the vessel; and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Candidates will be notified by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the interview, which may be held in Los Angeles or on-line. It is anticipated that the interviews will begin during the period of MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2027 to FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2027.

Notes

• This examination is based on a validation study.
• As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application.
• Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.
• A final average score of 70% or higher is required to be placed on the eligible list.
• In accordance with Civil Service Rule, Sec. 4.24, review periods may be combined. Candidates in the examination process may file protests as provided in Sec. 4.20, 4.22 and 4.23 as applicable and within the required time frame; however, the Personnel Department may respond to and resolve protests prior to the establishment of the eligible list.

Notice

If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original regular appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.