Position Overview: Airplane Pilot (Accelerated Hire)

The California Air National Guard (ANG), 144th Fighter Wing, is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Airplane Pilot (GS-2181-13). This is an excepted service position located at the unit level within the Operations Group. This announcement is open until filled, with application reviews conducted every 30 days.

This position is available as a permanent, indefinite, or temporary appointment. Indefinite and temporary selectees may be eligible for non-competitive status conversion or extension, subject to funding and regulatory guidelines.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The Airplane Pilot is responsible for piloting unit-equipped (UE) aircraft and performing administrative duties to support the Air Operations program. Key responsibilities include:

Operating and managing unit-equipped aircraft.
Reviewing and analyzing mission tasking, intelligence, and meteorological data.
Filing flight plans and executing crew briefings.
Performing aircraft preflight inspections, equipment assessments, and loading procedures.
Supervising or performing in-flight refueling, navigation, search and rescue, and reconnaissance operations.
Training crew members on mission-specific tasks.
Developing operational plans, policies, and providing technical advice to command leadership.
Ensuring compliance with flight safety, ground safety, and explosive safety programs as mandated by the Department of Defense and OSHA.

Qualification Requirements

Candidates must possess a Federal Aviation Administration certification from an accredited civilian program or an aviation certification from an accredited military aviation school. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate one year of on-the-job experience in the grade or comparable military rank immediately below the next higher level.

Specialized experience for this role includes 36 months of documented competence in:

Operating specific main-frame military aircraft.
Mission planning, preparation, and tactical execution.
Flight theory, air navigation, meteorology, and flying directives.

Candidates will be evaluated based on the following core competencies: Education and Training Program Administration, Operation and Control, Planning and Evaluating, and Safety and Security.

Conditions of Employment

California National Guard Membership: Membership in the California National Guard is mandatory. Selectees must hold a compatible military grade (O-1 through O-6) and be assigned to a unit supported by the employing activity.
Uniform and Grooming: Maintenance of military uniform and grooming standards is required.
Security Clearance: Candidates must maintain the appropriate level of security clearance.
Financial Requirements: Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
Selective Service: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service System.

Areas of Consideration

Consideration is extended to:

Area I: Current California National Guard employees serving on a Permanent, Indefinite, or Temporary appointment.
Area II: Current California National Guard members.
Area III: Current military members of the Air Force/Army National Guard, Air Force/Army Reserve, or Air Force/Army Active Duty. (Non-CNG members must transition to a compatible unit within the Air Force CNG prior to federal assignment).

Benefits and Incentives

Recruitment or relocation incentives and Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs may be authorized subject to funding, agency determination, and Joint Travel Regulation provisions. Federal employees receive a comprehensive benefits package; eligibility is dependent on the specific type of appointment.