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EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST (AIRFRAME/AIRCRAFT PROPULSION)

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Global Strike Command

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.


The primary purpose of this position is to provide specialized technical guidance and advice for maintenance process improvementon fixed and roatary wing aircraft.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/05/2026 to 03/13/2026
Salary
$75,489 to - $98,141 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Kirtland AFB, NM
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
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
8Y-AFPC-12903414-168875-JJ
Control number
859986400

Duties

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  1. Quality Assurance Technical Expert Advisor: Utilizing an extensive knowledge of aircraft and associated equipment, advise aircraft maintenance complex personnel to determine procedural or mechanical causes of equipment malfunctions.
  2. Determines the causes for equipment failures through inspection, data analysis, research, and coordination with specialists such as those at Air Logistics Centers or other agencies.
  3. Provides technical assistance to maintenance managers in the squadrons, nights, and sections concerning maintenance processes and procedures.
  4. Prepares Wing/Group Maintenance Operating instructions.
  5. Through technical and personnel evaluations, such as, but not limited to, aircraft inspections (preflight, BPO, thru flight, ISO and phase inspections, over the shoulder, after the facts servicing, ground handling, wash and letter checks corrosion control, CTK, and AGE determines compliance with technical orders, operating instructions, directives, and local checklists.
  6. Employee may be responsible for one or more of the following QA programs as the primary or alternate program manager. Management Inspection, Weight and Balance Program, Aircraft Impoundment Program, Quarterly QAP Program, Acceptance and Transfer Inspection, Functional Check Flight Program, Aircraft Crash and Recoverv Exercise Evaluations, In Process Inspection Program, TODO, Product Improvement Manager. This list is not ail inclusive; and additional duties may be added or deleted as required.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
  • Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
  • The employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, any regular scheduled shift, and/or holidays and/or overtime.
  • This position may require employee to work under adverse environmental conditions.
  • Must possess or have qualifications for the proper security clearance for the position.
  • Must be able to obtain a government driver's license.
  • Minimum of ten years' experience in the performance of maintenance and related functions of helicopters and/or fixed wing aircraft is desired.
  • This position may require employee to work in a stressful interpersonal environment.
  • See below for conditions of employment continued...

Qualifications

Conditions of Employment Continued:

  • Physical Needed - The work requires considerable strenuous physical exertion such as frequent climbing of airframes and maintenance stands, lifting objects in excess of 30 pounds, or crouching and crawling in limited spaces. The work involves daily exposure to the moderate risks associated with flight line duty to include exposure to aircraft fuels, lubricants, oils, and associated liquids and chemicals used in aircraft maintenance. Other risks include exposure to fumes, high noise levels, machinery, and electrical hazards. Special safety precautions must be constantly adhered to including the use of hearing and eye protection as well as the wearing of special protective items of clothing. Physical Needed - The work requires considerable strenuous physical exertion such as frequent climbing of airframes and maintenance stands, lifting objects in excess of 30 pounds, or crouching and crawling in limited spaces. The work involves daily exposure to the moderate risks associated with flight line duty to include exposure to aircraft fuels, lubricants, oils, and associated liquids and chemicals used in aircraft maintenance. Other risks include exposure to fumes, high noise levels, machinery, and electrical hazards. Special safety precautions must be constantly adhered to including the use of hearing and eye protection as well as the wearing of special protective items of clothing.

1. The employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, any regular scheduled shift, and/or holidays and/or overtime.
2. This position may require employee to work under adverse environmental conditions.
3. Must be able to obtain a government driver's license. Must show current Driver's License during pre-employment selection
4. Minimum of ten years' experience in the performance of maintenance and related functions of helicopters and/or fixed wing aircraft is desired
5. This position may require employee to work in a stressful interpersonal environment.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance.

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management, 1670 series.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:
  • Working as a skilled mechanic or maintenance worker, sales or service engineer, or planner or estimator in a technical group dealing with manufacture, utilization, repair, or operation of equipment.
  • Reviewing and applying technical specifications and requirements.
  • Analyzing equipment and forecasting spare parts requirements.
  • Reading and interpreting engineering change orders, equipment requisitions, shop orders, and work orders.
  • Analyzing contract specifications and examining pertinent equipment to determine if specifications are met.
  • Analyzing or supervising maintenance, repair, or production operations to determine methods of improvement.

In addition to meeting the IOR above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes; Examples of qualifying specialized experience includes: Working as a skilled mechanic or maintenance worker, sales or service engineer, or planner or estimator in a technical group dealing with manufacture, utilization, repair, or operation of equipment; Reviewing and applying technical specifications and requirements; Analyzing equipment and forecasting spare parts requirements; Reading and interpreting engineering change orders, equipment requisitions, shop orders, and work orders; Analyzing contract specifications and examining pertinent equipment to determine if specifications are met; Analyzing or supervising maintenance, repair, or production operations to determine methods of improvement. Requires extensive knowledge in the operating principle of assigned aircraft systems for troubleshooting, problem solving, and improvement recommendations. incumbent must be knowledgeable in-flight control rigging, engine rigging, and airframe systems for troubleshooting, problem solving, and improvement recommendations. Specialized practical and theoretical knowledge of assigned systems/equipment and skill in applying this knowledge to difficult and unusual situations.

OR
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (Major of study related to the position), or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related to the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.

OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.


FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
  1. Knowledge of a wide range of maintenance concepts, principles, and practices of specific systems/equipment and skill in applying this knowledge to difficult and complex assignments.
  2. Skill in identifying and analyzing complex technical problems and developing innovative solutions. Skill in providing technical advice in terms of oral and written briefings, reports, and recommendations to senior leadership and maintenance technician.
  3. Skill in developing interpersonal relationships, maintaining good working relationships, and working cooperatively as a member of a team. Skill in analyzing and interpreting engineering drawings, technical manuals, and technical data.
  4. Ability to plan, organizes, and reprioritizes work to meet changing deadlines.
  5. Ability to conduct training to ensure proper maintenance of assigned systems/equipment.
  6. Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

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

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

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.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

BASIS OF RATING:
Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

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