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AIR CARGO SPECIALIST (Title 32)

Department of the Air Force
Air National Guard Units

Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

This National Guard position is for a AIR CARGO SPECIALIST (Title 32), Position Description Number D1965000 and is part of the AR ANG 189 LGR SQ, National Guard.

NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQURED- If you are not currently a member of any military service (Brach/Status), please provide a letter stating intent to join.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/27/2026 to 03/16/2026
Salary
$30.17 to - $35.19 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 10
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Little Rock AFB, AR
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
AF-26-097-12893177
Control number
859061500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

(1) Arkansas Air National Guard (AR ANG) Technicians; (2) All members of the AR ANG, (3) Individuals who are not members of the National Guard but who are eligible to acquire membership in an available and compatible military grade for excepted technician positions. (Upon selection, must be a member of the AR Air National Guard).

Duties

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(1) Inspects a variety of airdrop equipment such as parachutes, multi loop lines, extraction transfer force couplings, latch assembly couplings, cable assembly couplings, actuator assembly, release cargo parachute M-1, lanyard arming wire, connector parachute, timer delay assembly, link lower suspension, link assembly single suspension type IV, link assembly heavy duty, link 4 point, parachute release single knife, bracket suspension, and tie down cargo quick release. Performs visual, dimensional, and operational inspection of the above mentioned equipment at the prescribed times, in accordance with warnings, cautions, and notes and ground precautionary messages (GPM), for safety of flight. Makes judgmental decisions on proximity to tolerances and interrelated dimensions on timer delay systems of M-1 release, latch assembly couplings, cable assembly couplings, and actuator assembly. Inspects for burrs, rough spots, corrosion, pits, cracks, welds, cuts, foreign material, bends, damaged threads, adjusting collars, set screws, shank pins, and that timers activate within specifications. Uses a wide variety of inspection processes and techniques, and many unique and specially designed instruments and gauges (i.e., tension meters, scales, micrometers, gauges, torque wrenches, and protractors).

(2) Performs airdrop inspections after priorities are set, work sequences are determined, and pertinent policy matters have been reviewed. Independently performs assignments at the aircraft where the supervisor is not readily available. Performs three separate inspections of airdrop loads or containers rigged for airdrop prior to the actual airdrop. Makes decisions on a wide range of matters that may involve deviations and departures from past precedents and accepted practice or highly subjective judgments that could affect safety of flight and crew. The first inspection is a rigger inspection required by the field manual or technical order for that particular type of load. The second inspection is the "before loading inspection". Conducts inspections jointly with the Air Force Joint Airdrop Inspector (AFJAI). Completes the proper airdrop inspection form in the DD Form 1748 (Joint Airdrop Inspection Record) series and all sign the appropriate blocks to certify correct rigging of the load. The third inspection is on board the aircraft after the load is rigged for flight and airdrop. Performs inspection along with an AFJAI and the aircrew Load Master. Applies a variety of sophisticated techniques to inspect specialized and complex aircraft systems in accordance with Load Master's Manual. Inspects systems i.e. dual rail and lock settings and hydraulic systems for ramp and door and ADS arms for the ramp. Focuses on dimensions of rigged airdrop loads IAW 13C5 (Parachute Cargo Repack Manual) and 13C7 (Rigging Loads for Special Operations) T.O. series; extraction/deployment systems; emergency aft restraint provisions; type and number of recovery parachutes; proper tension on pendulum line IAW-9, and hazardous cargo certification IAW AFJMAN 24-204 (Preparing Hazardous Materials for Military Air Shipments).

(3) Rigs and prepares unilateral airdrop training loads to include type V or other airdrop platforms for airdrops. Fabricates container delivery systems loads, skid boards, and other associated airdrop items, as required. Receives, unpacks, and inspects unit possessed parachutes. Cleans, dries, inspects, and packs cargo parachutes after use. Maintains and repairs a variety of fabric, rubber, and leather articles. Operates and performs minor maintenance on sewing machines, punch presses, stenciling machines, and other similar equipment. Performs inspections and repair of cargo, deceleration, and extraction parachutes, and is responsible for certification. Performs Joint Airdrop Inspections as the aerial port inspector. Performs technical order compliance modifications and modifications of parachutes and related items. Maintains an adequate stock level of current aerial delivery system equipment, components, and supplies. Serves as unit representative on the Aerial Delivery Review Panel and as a Joint Airdrop Inspector. May be tasked to attend Airdrop Review and Malfunction Analysis board meetings.

(4) Performs drop zone control operations as Drop Zone Controller/Safety Officer. Conducts weather observations, wind speed, direction determination, marking drop zone with navigation aids and timing points, establishing and maintaining air to ground and point to point radio communications, relaying information to aircraft and to the Range Control Officer. Directs and controls all airdrop zone operations to ensure the safe operation and protection of aircraft, vehicles, personnel, and equipment.

DUTIES CONTINUED UNDER EDUCATION:

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact a National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position.

Compatible military grade and assignment required prior to the effective date of placement. This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the employing state's National Guard. Applicants who are not currently a member of the National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership in the military grade listed below. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform.

Military Grades: Enlisted

  • Minimum Military Grade: E-1/ PVT
  • Maximum Military Grade: E-6/ SSG

Compatible Military Assignments: Selectee must be a member of the Arkansas Air National Guard.

IMPORTANT NOTES (AS APPLICABLE): Upon selection for this position, individual must possess or initiate a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) background investigation. A favorable determination based upon investigative results is mandatory for this position. Failure to meet these requirements will result in termination of employment. A pre-placement physical is required if not already current. Upon selection, must complete mandatory Full-Time Support (FTS) Training at the Professional Education Center (PEC) within six months of assignment (if applicable, training will be coordinated by the supervisor). Individual must meet all military requirements of the position without creating a grade inversion, as determined by the Human Resources Office (HRO). Technicians will not be militarily senior to their full-time supervisor or wage leader (Grade Inversion). Enlisted members currently at a higher grade than allowed by the position (see Military Grade Requirement above) may apply; however, they must administratively reduce prior to appointment and provide confirmation of the reduction to HRO.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS ARE LISTED UNDER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Qualifications

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Experience or training which demonstrates the knowledge of equipment and practices associated with the type of work to be done.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
WG-10 - Experience or training performing a full variety of Air Transportation functions necessary to manage the day-to-day Air Transportation and small air terminal operations including but not limited to, airdrop and airdrop inspections, rigging responsibilities, wing deployment training, passenger and cargo manifesting, Joint Inspection, load planning, determining cargo/passenger eligibility, establishing and maintaining air terminal security, directly responsible for safe and efficient loading/offloading of all DOD-owned and controlled aircraft and ensuring ITV.

Education

DUTIES CONTINUED:

(5) Formulates, implements, and documents programs to train Wing augmentation in support of Wing air transportation deployment functions to ensure effective and efficient operations of installation deployment processes. As a minimum, develops deployment lesson plans for the following areas: Material Handling Equipment (MHE) such as K-Loaders and forklifts, Load Planning Overview, Cargo Preparation/Pallet Build Up, Ramp Coordinator, Cargo Deployment Function work-centers (i.e., In-Check, Cargo Marshalling Yard, Joint Inspection, Hazardous Cargo Handlers, Explosives Safety, Quality Control, and Load Teams) and the transportation portion of the Passenger Deployment Function. Coordinates with Traffic Management and deploying units requiring hazardous material technical specialist training.

(6) Provides sound advice and technical expertise on air transportation issues to the Installation Deployment Officer, all Squadron, Group, and Wing commanders. Makes appropriate recommendations and implements changes within the element and associated processes. Provides hands-on training and classroom instruction for other service components in the area of load planning different airframes for unit deployments. Conducts briefings on explosive, ground, and flight line safety. Wing focal point for requesting Opportune Airlift/Special Assignment Airlift Missions (SAAM) and identifying limiting factors to higher headquarters.

(7) Ensures items offered for transport by air meet proper specifications to maximize safety and security of the aircraft, aircrew, cargo and passengers. Plans, schedules, and trains Air Transportation Operations Element Drill Status Guardsmen on the inspection and operations of aircraft loading equipment; mobility/contingency functions (i.e., load planning, pallet buildup, cargo courier responsibility and hazardous cargo preparation); and all core Career Field Education and Training Plan tasks.

(8) Monitors and administrates data systems, within the technical and functional parameters and standards established by USTRANSCOM and in coordination with the Assistant Under Secretary of Defense for Transportation Policy, to integrate DOD transportation information worldwide and provide transportation and In-Transit Visibility (ITV) data for commanders at all levels. Utilizes automated systems, such as the Global Transportation Network (GTN), Cargo Movement Operation System (CMOS), Global Air Transportation Execution System (GATES), Global Decision Support System (GDSS), and Single Mobility System (SMS) for In-Transit Visibility.

(9) Analyzes operational plans, policies, and procedures for air terminal activities and facilities essential to air passenger and cargo movement processes. Serves as the Wing Commander's focal point for orchestrating daily and long-range utilization of the air terminal to ensure accomplishment of assigned missions as well as maximum support for deployment operations. Develops policies concerned with the establishment and improvement of air terminal operations. Develops goals and objectives that integrate organization and Readiness Flight objectives. Researches, interprets, analyzes, and applies DOD, Air Force, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), International Civil Aeronautical Organization (ICAO), and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules and directives. Establishes, revises, or reviews policies, procedures, mission objectives, and organization design for air terminal management and services activities, ensuring that flying missions and/or flight safety is not compromised. Develops procedures to notify proper agencies when an aircraft carrying hazardous cargo is arriving at or departing from the base. Coordinates with explosive safety and other appropriate agencies on areas designated for parking, loading, and servicing of aircraft with explosive/hazardous cargo. Interprets higher headquarters policies and implements actions of the air terminal management function within the Readiness Flight. Coordinates on development and application of base-wide air terminal operation plans supporting wartime operations, contingencies, natural disasters, and incidents on/off base.

(10) Controls all aircraft cargo space allocated to each mission and is responsible for obtaining maximum utilization on each mission. Plans, selects, sequences, and monitors each aircraft cargo load and initiates and ensures all cargo manifests are prepared. Obtains maximum utilization of space using automated programs such as Automated Air Load Planning System (AALPS). Preplans and computes aircraft load distribution using automated programs, manual methods, and/or other weight and balance computation methods. Initiates and provides load plans using computer assisted programs and manual computation when required. Selects loads based on destination, aircraft center of balance space assignments, cargo compatibility, and other criteria (i.e., movement priority, etc.). Monitors opportune airlift and forecasts in-transit capability on inbound missions that will depart station on the operating day to take advantage of available space to facilitate efficient movement of cargo. Briefs the aircraft commanders on local configurations to include hazardous materials. Delivers and receives documentation to and from aircraft. Prepares and maintains air movement records, reports, and documentation required within the Defense Transportation System (DTS).

(11) Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional information

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov)).

REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
  • Must be able to obtain/maintain appropriate security clearance

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.

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the above general and specialized experience, to include following competencies- knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs):

  • Knowledge of Air Terminal Operations Center (ATOC) functions and operation sufficient to plan, coordinate, facilitate, and expedite on-time movement of air cargo in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Must maintain load planning qualification currency to plan and compute load distribution using automated programs, manual methods, and/or other weight and balance computation methods. JAI and JI qualifications/currency to identify through prescribed inspection processes problems to eliminate malfunctions that may affect the safety of aircraft/crew, to ensure a safe and proper drop of load from aircraft, and to insure items offered/accepted for transport by air meet proper specifications. School qualifications/currency as a rigger/parachute packer knowledgeable of proper rigging procedures and ability to rig loads for airdrop to include preparation/packing, and repair of parachutes utilized for these drops. Special handling currency qualifications and competency to handle, process, and ensure compatibility of hazardous materials being transported on aircraft.--Skill and ability to train traditional guard personnel in all aerial port functions.
  • Skill and ability to analyze and determine causes in malfunctions relating to aerial drops.
  • Knowledge of drop zone control operations to direct and control drop zone operations.
  • Knowledge of and ability to receive, warehouse, process, and categorize cargo and to process related paperwork.
  • Ability to select and assemble aircraft loads, and to load and offload aircraft.
  • Ability to operate a variety of materials handling equipment (MHE) utilized inmoving cargo within the air terminal and to transport cargo to and from the aircraft (i.e., 4-10K forklifts, 25-60K aircraft loaders, etc.).
  • Must have knowledge of and ability to perform fleet service responsibilities.
  • Knowledge of procedures and regulations governing processing and eligibility of passengers traveling on government owned/sponsored aircraft.
  • Knowledge of proper safety practices to perform all aerial port responsibilities in a safe manner and safety of flight and aircrew.
  • Knowledge of aircraft design, configuration, and limitations, obtains maximum utilization of space using automated programs such as Automated Air Load Planning System (AALPS).

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