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Aircraft Pilot (Helicopter) (Direct Hire)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Summary

This position is located in the Aircraft Operations Division, Flight Operations Directorate. As a Project Pilot you will pilot aircraft used in the development and test programs; perform flights and ground simulations of advanced missions; and serve as a pilot aboard a helicopter.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/12/2026 to 01/23/2026
Salary
$145,480 to - $189,126 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Johnson Space Cnt
Houston, TX
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
JSC-26-DE-12856858-LC
Control number
853812800

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Duties

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  • Serves as a rotary-wing instructor pilot. Proactively maintains all pilot qualifications and proficiency requirements. Conducts annual egress, emergency procedures training, and Crew Resource Management training.
  • Provides instructional training, briefings, syllabus events, and evaluation flights in support of Astronaut Space Flight Readiness Training. Maintains instructional material, syllabus, and proficiency exams.
  • Reviews and maintains applicable aircraft flight manuals, checklists, and aircraft-specific standard operating procedures in accordance with official NASA directives. Conducts standardization meetings to illicit feedback to operational documentation.
  • Identifies hazards and reports unsafe acts and procedures. Supports the investigation and resolution of aircraft anomalies and mishaps as assigned, and actively participates in safety inspections and training.
  • Serves as a project team member providing operational expertise for aircraft upgrades, modifications, and functional check flights.
  • Communicates effectively with other project pilots and NASA managers to effectively utilize aircrew and aircraft to maximize mission accomplishment.
  • Manages project schedules and supports key review processes, including the Configuration Control Panel, Test Readiness Review, Flight Readiness Review, and Operational Readiness Review, for modifications to division aircraft.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
  • This position may require a one-year probationary period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. **See Additional Information section**
  • You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • You must be proficient in the English language.
  • At the time of initial appointment, you must possess a current FAA first class medical certificate or a military pilot flight physical; OR you must obtain a NASA flight medical certification.
  • Position subject to pre-employment background security investigation.

Qualifications

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

To qualify for this position you must possess:

1. Certificate and Rating:

  • A current Federal Aviation Administration Commercial Pilot Certificate/License with ratings OR a pilot with ratings from the armed services; AND
  • A current Federal Aviation Administration Flight Instructor Certificate/License with ratings OR a flight instructor with ratings from the armed services.

2. Flight Hours: A minimum of the following flight time hours:
  • 1,500 hours of flight time as pilot-in-command or co-pilot in aircraft of any weight or category; and
  • 250 hours pilot-in-command with rotary-wing helicopter; and
  • 75 hours of night flying; and
  • 100 hours of flight time in the preceding 12 months.

3. Specialized experience: One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level that includes:
  • Participating in the planning and execution of rotary-wing aircraft sorties and evaluation activities, including functional test flights;
  • Conducting classroom instruction on developing, teaching, and assessing both academic and on-aircraft syllabus requirements for students training in rotary-wing aircraft;
  • Developing and implementing aviation safety training principles and procedures to ensure safe and standardized flight operations.

4. Specialty Flight Hours:
  • Instructor Time Requirement: A minimum of 500 hours providing flight instruction directly related to the area of instruction and category of aircraft in the position.

To receive proper consideration, you must:
  • Submit a copy of your license (front and back) with your application AND
  • Ensure that your flight hours are indicated in your resume.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:

- Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
- Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position
- Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents'

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit.


Probationary Period

You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

  • your performance and conduct;

  • the needs and interests of the agency;

  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and

  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preferenceinformation on the FedsHireVets website.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Advanced Technical Training Design
  • Air Traffic Systems
  • Decision Making
  • Education and Training
  • Institutional Aircraft Operations
  • Mission Execution
  • Oral Communication
  • Teaching Others

NASA considers paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: Agency-FCCJ@NASA.gov.

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