Job Description

Job title: Line HEMS Pilot - First Officer (Based at North Weald)



Location: North Weald



Reporting to: Chief Pilot



Contract type: Permanent appointment subject to satisfactory completion of 3-month probationary period



Salary: Circa 60,000 per annum based on qualifications & relevant experience



Working pattern

As required by Chief Pilot and the EHAAT roster, this will be based upon EHAAT's use of the HEMS FTL variation of 12-hour shifts (0830-2030 at North Weald and 0700-1900 at Earls Colne) to achieve 365 days a year operational coverage. All pilots will be required to conform to the relevant Flight Time Limitations regulations and will have several duty days each year for training and checking activities. Touring pilots will be rostered with a minimum of 28 days' notice and will work 182 days per year (less leave taken), consisting of up to 6 duty days including up to 4 12-hour shifts and positioning days as appropriate. This pattern will result in average working hours equivalent to approx. 40 hours per week.


About us:


Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, unlike NHS emergency services, is a charity. The free life-saving service is provided 24/7 by helicopters and by rapid response vehicles.


Each critical care team consists of a pilot and co-pilot, a pre-hospital care doctor and a critical care paramedic.


They can be rushed to the scene with life-saving support equipment to deliver advanced clinical care, usually only available in the hospital emergency department.


Once stabilised, the patient will be conveyed to the most appropriate hospital by air or land.


Without access to National Lottery funding and with only limited support from Government, we rely upon the generosity and goodwill of the people and businesses of Essex and Hertfordshire to remain operational and keep saving lives...we can't fly without you!



About the Aviation Team:


As part of our programme to become an independent operator with its own Air Operator Certificate, from mid-November 2025, EHAAT will directly employ pilots flying our two AW169 helicopters from our North Weald and Earls Colne airbases. In addition to our management pilots, we're excited to be recruiting more pilots to build a resilient and supportive team - one that will enable us to maintain four pilots working 12-hour shifts, 365 days a year.


To make this happen, we'll continue to rely on a combination of locally based pilots--who live within 45 minutes of one or both bases--and touring pilots. Our touring pilots will play a vital role in covering for leave, sickness, and other absences, and when they're not local to our bases, EHAAT will cover the cost of accommodating them near their place of duty in line with FTL regulations. We'll also ensure that touring pilots have the time and support they need to position themselves before their duties begin.


At EHAAT, we're deeply committed to recruiting, developing, and keeping a strong, close-knit group of pilots who are essential to our mission: providing first-class pre-hospital emergency medical care to the people of Essex, Hertfordshire, and beyond.



Job purpose:


This role requires an experienced AW169 co-pilot to be part of the North Weald HEMS team.



Summary of duties and responsibilities:

As a pilot, to ensure all flying-related tasks are carried out in a safe and efficient manner in accordance with the EHAAT Air Operations Manual in conjunction with all relevant and applicable regulations as laid down by law and as amended. As a pilot, be meticulous in ensuring high standards of personal currency and proficiency regarding professional performance and to licensing, medical certification, proficiency checks, line checks and other training requirements and the associated documentation of such. As a HEMS crew member. demonstrate confidentiality, discretion and sensitivity in all aspects of the role, allied to a strong focus on safety and appropriate actions to participate, develop and promote appropriate safety attitudes and a true Just Culture. As an EHAAT employee, to conduct all duties with diligence and professionalism, always acting in accordance with EHAAT values and seeking out opportunities for continuous professional development for yourself and your colleagues. As an EHAAT team member, being proactive with colleagues, partner organisations, suppliers and the public to communicate the mission of EHAAT and its operations. Fully comply with the numerous and extensive specific responsibilities of the role as detailed in regulation, working closely with flight crew and HEMS crew members to achieve the mission within the strict bounds of safety, compliance and efficiency. Demonstrate exemplary performance and standards in the air and on the ground, professionally and personally, setting a fine example to less experienced operators and assisting in the development of less senior pilot and crew colleagues as appropriate. As one of the pilot team and as directed by the Chief Pilot, perform specific additional duties to support the smooth running of the EHAAT HEMS air operations. From time to time, to represent the Aviation department on technical or operational matters or to represent EHAAT on more general aviation operational matters, with neighbouring Aviation organisations. On an agreed basis, and fitting in with FTL requirements, occasionally support charity events or visits. As EHAAT is a patient-focused emergency medical charity we feel it is essential that all our staff are competent and confident in the delivery of CPR and use of an AED (defibrillator) in an emergency. For this reason, you will need to complete in-house CPR and AED awareness training, alongside mandatory AOC pilot first aid training.


Person Specification


Essential:


Qualifications & experiences

Current AW169 Type and Instrument Rating Either: + Current UK CAA (ATPL(H) or
+ Current UK CAA CPL(H) with MP rating or ATPL Theory credits and MCC
A minimum of 500 flying hours with 70 hours PIC Minimum 20 hours VMC night as PIC Reside within (or be prepared to relocate within) 45 minutes of North Weald Full UK driving licence


Personal Qualities

Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate well with all people at all levels Able to work as part of a diverse team, exercising sound judgement and decision making, being suitably operationally astute Strong leadership skills with the drive and determination to deliver exceptional standards An outward-facing, self-starter who champions safety compliance and operational effectiveness Highly organised with an eye for detail, able to find solutions in complex problems


Desirable:

500 hours total PIC HEMS experience NVIS experience Unrestricted Class One CAA Medical Live within 45 minutes travelling time of Earls Colne airbase Unrestricted Class One CAA Medical Proficient with MS Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint


The Package


As a valued member of the charity team, you will have access to a wider range of benefits including:

28 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (pro-rata) Contributory pension scheme, with minimum 6% employer contribution, plus an annual pension review Occupational sick pay from day one employment Free access to an Employee Assistance Programme (plus immediate family) Private medical insurance Loss of licence insurance Personal accident cover Access to Cycle to Work through salary sacrifice Discounts at a variety of retailers via Blue Light Card


More information and how to apply


Applications at careers.ehaat.org


The closing date for applications is 29th June 2025


Interviews will be held in person in late July.



Please note that your application form will be used for shortlisting, so please ensure everything you wish to include is covered in the form.


This position is subject to a

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS check as a condition of employment.


If you would like an informal chat about the role, please contact recruitment@ehaat.org and we will organise a time to speak to one of the team.



Disclaimer: Essex & Herts Air Ambulance reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date if a high number of applications are received. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unfortunately unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.