Air National Guard Units | SF50 Pilot

Position Overview

This is a National Guard Title 32 Excepted Service position for an Airplane Pilot (GS-2181-13) with the Illinois 126th National Guard. The selected individual will pilot unit-equipped airplanes and provide administrative support for the Air Operations program.

Primary Responsibilities

• Pilot advanced single or multi-engine military aircraft, including high-performance fighter aircraft, on tactical and non-tactical missions using precision instrument flight techniques.
• Execute flight maneuvers within established parameters in all weather conditions, including domestic and foreign point-to-point operations.
• Perform comprehensive flight preparation, including weather analysis, navigation planning, fuel requirements, flight plan filing, preflight inspections, and crew/passenger briefings.
• Maintain operational safety by adhering to flight manuals, coordinating with ground control, monitoring aircraft performance, and executing emergency procedures.
• Complete post-flight activities, including logging flight data, drafting reports, and coordinating with maintenance personnel.
• Serve as the Air Commander’s representative when performing Supervisor of Flying (SOF) duties.
• Design training plans, develop unit deliberate planning for national tasking, and administer flying, explosive, and ground safety programs.

Qualifications and Education

• Education: An undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university is mandatory. A graduate degree from an accredited civilian institution or professional military education school is preferred. Official transcripts are required.
• Training: Applicants must have graduated from USAF or USN Undergraduate Flying Training (UFT).
• Certifications: Must possess Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifications or certifications from accredited military aviation schools.
• General Experience: Minimum of one year of on-the-job experience in the grade or comparable military rank immediately below the GS-12 level.
• Specialized Experience: Minimum of two years of experience in civilian or military aviation programs, with specific expertise in piloting, instructing, mission planning, and adherence to safety and operational directives.
• Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the GS-12 level).

Conditions of Employment

• Membership in the Illinois National Guard and the required military grade (up to O4) is mandatory prior to placement.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Must wear a military uniform.
• Must be registered for Selective Service (for males born after 31 December 1959).
• Subject to federal employment suitability background investigations and potential trial periods.
• Compliance with the Lautenberg Amendment regarding domestic violence convictions.
• May require irregular, overtime, evening, weekend, or holiday hours.
• Participation in direct deposit and adherence to USAF medical standards for pilots are required.
• May require drug testing and travel via military or commercial air.

Area of Consideration

Candidates will be considered in the following order: 1) Excepted permanent and indefinite temporary technicians within the ILNG; 2) Current Federal employees; 3) Federal re-employment eligibles; 4) Applicants willing to become T32 Dual Status Technicians and join the ILNG; 5) U.S. citizens.