Air National Guard Units | SF50 Pilot

Job Title: Airplane Pilot (Title 32)

Position Series/Grade: GS-2181-13

Organization: Illinois National Guard (IL 126)

Employment Type: Excepted Service

Position Summary

The Airplane Pilot (Title 32) is responsible for piloting unit-equipped (UE) aircraft while performing administrative duties in support of the Air Operations program. This role requires exceptional precision, safety adherence, and leadership in mission accomplishment.

Key Responsibilities

• Pilot advanced single or multi-engine military aircraft on tactical and non-tactical missions using precision instrument flight techniques.
• Execute flight procedures and maneuvers across all weather conditions.
• Perform comprehensive flight preparation, including weather analysis, route planning, fuel requirement calculations, weight and balance verification, and passenger/crew briefings.
• Ensure operational safety by adhering to flight manual parameters, maintaining communication with ground control, and executing emergency procedures as necessary.
• Complete post-flight requirements, including maintenance coordination, logbook documentation, and flight reporting.
• Serve as the Air Commander’s representative and Supervisor of Flying (SOF), ensuring efficient mission execution.
• Design training plans, develop unit planning for national tasking, and administer safety programs in accordance with Air Force, ANG, and OSHA directives.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Citizenship/Status: Must be a U.S. Citizen. Mandatory membership in the Illinois National Guard in the required military grade (Officers only, up to O4).
• Education: An undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university is mandatory. A graduate degree is preferred. Official transcripts are required.
• Certifications: Possession of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifications or equivalent military aviation school credentials is mandatory.
• Experience:
  • General: Minimum of one year of on-the-job experience in the grade immediately below the GS-13 level.
  • Specialized: At least two years of experience in civilian or military aviation programs, including piloting and instructing pilot skills.
  • Time-in-Grade: Federal employees must meet the 52-week time-in-grade requirement at the GS-12 level.
• Training: Graduation from USAF or USN Undergraduate Flying Training (UFT) is required.
• Clearance: Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Medical: Must maintain the same medical standards as USAF military pilots.

Conditions of Employment

• Requirement to wear a military uniform.
• Registration with the Selective Service for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to federal background investigation and potential trial period.
• Compliance with the Lautenberg Amendment (Domestic Violence Misdemeanor restrictions).
• Potential for irregular hours, overtime, weekend, or holiday work.
• Mandatory drug testing and participation in direct deposit.
• Requirement for travel by military or commercial air.

Application Instructions

Resumes must be submitted in the applicant's own words; verbatim copies of position descriptions will not be considered. Applicants must provide detailed documentation of experience, including dates (months/years) and the nature of work performed to support qualification claims.