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AIR COMMANDER (PILOT/NAVIGATOR)

Department of the Air Force
Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command
446 AIRLIFT WG

Summary

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Air Reserve Technicians are full-time civilian employees who are also members of the Air Force Reserve unit in which they are employed. In addition to their civilian assignments, they are assigned to equivalent positions in the Reserve organization with a Reserve military rank or grade. Appointee's civilian assignments will consist of the following duties.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/08/2026 to 04/21/2026
Salary
$169,355 - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
McChord AFB, WA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
5M-ARTO-12930961-241332-NAW
Control number
864162600

Duties

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The primary purpose of this position is as Air Reserve Technician (ART) officer to serve as the senior ART/Commander and as such, be responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, directing, and controlling the full time activities and operations of the wing.

DUTY 1: Manages the activities of all subordinate organizations. Directs the activities of the subordinate groups in areas such as: training, inspection, flight operations, flight standardization, flying safety, security, emergency program actions, funds distribution, reserve personnel recruiting and retention, organization of facilities, administration, morale, character guidance and military justice.

DUTY 2: Directs and controls the full time activities, functions, and operations of the assigned wing and detached units. Exercises delegated authority to oversee the overall planning, direction, and execution of activities of the wing including development, assignment, and higher-level approval of goals and objectives of supervisors or managers for subordinate groups.

DUTY 3: Represents the Air Force Reserve and wing when interacting with a variety of organizations. Establishes, develops, and maintains effective working relationships with Commanders, Managers, Supervisors, NAF and HQ AFRC senior officials, Air Staff, and officials from the gaining major commands.

DUTY 4: Participates in public affairs campaigns, media and community relations programs, disseminates information pertaining to the facility's mission and programs. Performs informational coordination at high civic and military levels.

DUTY 5: Flies as an aircrew member in unit aircraft. The flying activities in which the incumbent participates are dictated by assigned aircraft, war plans, enemy threats, classified intelligencegathering, and gaining MAJCOM training requirements.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Must be a current member of the AF Reserves or willing/qualified to join
  • A security clearance may be required
  • 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/
  • Total salary varies depending on location of position
  • This posn is subject to provision of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Must sign a mobility agreement
  • Position may be subject to random drug testing
  • Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays
  • Shift work and emergency overtime may be required
  • Employee must maintain current certifications
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Retired military are usually ineligible for membership in the Air Force Reserve. Retired military personnel who have active Air Force Reserve assignments may apply provided they show assignment (position and unit) on their application.
  • Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
  • Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume
  • Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position
  • Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position
  • Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
  • 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.

Qualifications

THIS IS AN AIR RESERVE TECHNICIAN OFFICER POSITION.
This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) Officer position located at 446 AIRLIFT WG with the military rank of COL/0-6, AFSC: 091X0. For questions concerning military eligibility please contact the Air Force Reserve Qualification Center at 1-800-257-1212.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Three years of progressively responsible experience in a flying component of the US military establishment in assignments that would normally qualify for progression to the position of Wing Commander or its equivalent. Assignments should have been of kinds that enabled the applicant to have gained and demonstrated a knowledge of tactical or strategic warfare, including techniques of employment or appropriate type of aircraft, military administration, personnel management and logistics. At least one year of the specialized experience must have been of a level of difficulty and responsibility comparable to that of the GS-14 grade in the Federal service.

SUBSTITUTION:
- Completion of Air Force pilot or navigator training or equivalent training in other US military establishments for heavier-than-air aircraft may be substituted for one year of general experience.
- Satisfactory completion of Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, or equivalent in another of the US military establishments, may be substituted for one year of specialized experience.
- Each year of service in a Reserve component of the US military establishment in assignments that normally would result in progression into the position of Wing Commander, and in which the flying requirements specialized by Air Force regulation have been met, may be credited for three months of general or specialized experience. The substitution, may not be made for periods of Reserve service which occurred concurrently with periods of fulltime experience for which credit is assigned

CERTIFICATION: Must hold or qualify for a USAF Senior Pilot or Senior Navigator rating and be currently qualified Pilot or Navigator in multi-engine or jet engine aircraft, as appropriate, within the past 36 months for non-Federal applicants and within the past 60 months for current Federal employees.

MINIMUM INSTRUMENT HOURS REQUIRED: Must hold a valid USAF instrument rating or other equivalent military or civilian rating.

MINIMUM FLYING HOURS: Non-Federal applicants must have logged 2,000 or more total pilot time (i.e., accumulation of primary, secondary, instructor, evaluator, stimulator and student time), or 1,300 hours Primary Flight Time (i.e. primary, secondary, instructor, and evaluator time) or Instructor Pilot time. Current Federal employees must be mission qualified on flying status within the past 60 months.

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 planning, organizing, coordinating, directing, and controlling activities, operations, and resources of a flying organization; and mentoring, motivating, and appraising a staff through subordinate supervisors.
2. Knowledge of the operations of a wing, various Air Force Reserve entities, other MAJCOMs and Air Force, and their relationships in overall management and execution of military operations, evaluations, and missions.
3. Knowledge of public relations and human relations as applicable to managing an organization.
4. Knowledge of rated aviator expertise and skill in its application, as either a pilot or navigator.
5. Knowledge of tactical and strategic warfare, and wartime readiness posture.
6. Skill in effective oral and written communication and public speaking to manage the operations of the assigned wing, communicate issues to subordinates, other officials, and the public, and to advocate the Air Force Reserve. Skill in exercising tact and diplomacy in dealing various individuals when accomplishing duties.

Other significant facts pertaining to this position are:
1. Must be a rated aircraft commander/instructor/evaluator aircrew member (pilot or navigator) on flying status in unit to which attached. Must be highly knowledgeable in the capabilities, limitations, and techniques for employment of unit aircraft. As prescribed by regulations, must take and pass standardization/evaluation flight examinations which consist of both written tests and actual flight performance to demonstrate flight proficiency required by the position. Incumbent must participate on flights as an aircrew member.
2. The incumbent is subject to the normal pressures, deadlines, and other conditions inherent in this position and others found in the aircrew occupation. May be exposed to gravity forces of three to seven depending upon aircraft to which assigned.
3. The incumbent's regular assignments are primarily ART; however, the incumbent is assigned non-ART duties not to exceed 30 percent of total responsibilities.
4. In order to meet special or essential unscheduled activities, may be required to work an uncommon tour of duty with brief advance notice.
5. The incumbent may be required to fly in military and/or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments (TDY).
6. This position is designated as a mobility position. The incumbent must be willing to move/transfer to another unit/location on a lateral or promotion basis as directed by HQ AFRC
.7. Position requires incumbent to obtain and maintain a Secret, Top Secret, Top Secret/SIOP clearance based on position security access requirement.
8. IAW DoDI 3020.42, the position has been locally designated as Mission Essential (ME); needed to ensure the continued operation of mission essential functions of the activity. Mission Essential personnel may be required to report for duty at normal times when the base is closed or delayed reporting, and remain on duty during phased or early release.

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

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.

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.

Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.

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.

Applicant must be commissioned or commissionable as an ART Officer in the Air Force Reserve. Air Reserve Technicians are part of the regular career civil service and enjoy all the benefits granted to Federal employees in the competitive civil service. In addition, Air Reserve Technicians are required to maintain their active membership in the Air Force Reserve unit where assigned. As members of Reserve units, Air Reserve Technicians receive on average one weekend of military training per month. In addition, they are eligible for 15 days active duty tour each year for which military leave is granted with full civilian pay. Air Reserve units and members are subject to immediate call to active duty in mobilization to meet a national emergency.

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.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The 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.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

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.

Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command

The mission of the United States Air Force is: To fly, fight, and win ... Airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. Core competencies and distinctive capabilities are based on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

THIS IS AN AIR RESERVE TECHNICIAN OFFICER POSITION.
This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) Officer position located at 446 AIRLIFT WG
with the military rank of COL/0-6, AFSC: 091X0. For questions concerning military eligibility please contact the Air Force Reserve Qualification Center at 1-800-257-1212.

Who May Apply:

  • 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
  • AF DCIPS Interchange
  • AF Internal Employee
  • DoD Transfer (Excluding Air Force)
  • EO 12721 Certain Former Overseas Employees
  • EO 13473 Appointment of Certain Military Spouses
  • Former Federal Employees (Reinstatement)
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Employee
  • Military Spouse Preference
  • Non-AF DCIPS Interchange
  • Non-Appropriated Fund
  • Non-DoD Transfer
  • Other (Interchange Agreements)
  • PPP DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction
  • Veterans Employment Opportunities Act

Agency contact information

Total Force Service Center
Phone
1-800-525-0102
Email
DO.NOT.EMAIL@CALL.ONLY
Address
AFRC Non-ART Locations
550 C Street W
JBSA Randolph AFB, TX 78150
US

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