AIRCRAFT FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (TITLE 32) Job in Kankakee, IL

Vacancy No. IL-12918998-AR-26-119 Department Army National Guard Units
Salary $118,984.00 to $154,682.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 3/27/2026 Close Date 3/26/2027
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Kankakee, IL


Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

This National Guard position is for a AIRCRAFT FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (TITLE 32), Position Description Number D0610000 and is part of the IL AASF 2, National Guard.

This job is open to

National Guard and reserves

Current members, those who want to join or transitioning military members.

Clarification from the agency

This is an open continuous announcement. Initial cutoff will be 27 ARPIL 2026. Recruitment will continue through the announcement closing date until the position is filled.

Duties

As a AIRCRAFT FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (TITLE 32), GS-2181-13, you will be responsible for providing instruction, evaluation and examination of rated pilots, instructor pilots and aeroscout observers in flying techniques and methods of instruction, examination and evaluation. Instruction involves basic and advanced techniques for flying aircraft using instruments.

Major Duties - This is NOT an all-inclusive list:

  • Conduct refresher, mission and continuation training in light fixed wing or utility and observer helicopters.
  • Conduct training flights involving a substantial degree of hazard such as training helicopter pilots in advanced flight techniques required in combat situations, tactical flying at night in all weather conditions and with the use of night vision devices, flight maneuvers which take advantage of the terrain, low level flight, short field takeoffs and landings, flying in formation, evasive maneuvers and emergency procedures involving engine failures and malfunctions of hydraulic and electrical systems over hazardous terrain.
  • Perform routine operational flight assignments.
  • Transport passengers including dignitaries to and from a variety of different points.
  • Plan and implement flight training and instruction for rated pilots and instructor pilots in accordance with the Aircrew Training Manual (ATM).
  • Conduct training flights involving operating an aircraft through reference to instruments and use of automatic direction finding equipment such as Omni directional radials, ground control approach and instrument landing systems on and off Federal airways.
  • Conduct refresher, mission and continuation combat training in advanced attack helicopters involving aggressor and defensive maneuvers and aerial gunnery practice with heavy ordinance and/or trains and instructs pilots in the operation of heavy multi-engine transport helicopters to transport equipment and personnel in combat situations.
  • Train pilots in the full range of aircraft maneuvers required in combat situations.
  • Provide instruction in emergency procedures such as loss of propulsion, directional control or related systems.
  • Perform flights in all weather/environmental conditions, day and night, and using night vision devices.
  • Prepare and present related classroom instruction.
  • Recommend whether pilots remain in flight status.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • IAW The Fair Chance Act, Agency employees may not request criminal history information at the point of initial application, upon receipt of an application, or prior to, during or after a job interview. If an Optional Form (OF) 306, Declaration of Employment is submitted prior to the point of a conditional offer, questions related to background information section may not be asked.
  • This is an excepted service position that requires membership in the Illinois National Guard and in the military grade listed in the announcement. This is required prior to the effective date of placement. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact a National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position.
  • Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform.
  • Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition 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 trial period.
  • This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
  • Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day.
  • Must have Federal Aviation Administration certifications awarded from accredited civilian aviation programs or must have aviation certifications from accredited military aviation schools. MUST PROVIDE COPY OF CERTFICATIONS WITH APPLICATION.
  • Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.

Qualifications

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: The areas of consideration for this position, Title 32 Excepted Service (32 U.S. Code § 709), will be in the following manner and sequence:

  • The FIRST area of consideration for this position will be all excepted permanent and indefinite temporary technicians within the ILNG.
  • The SECOND area of consideration will be all current Federal Employees.
  • The THIRD area of consideration will be all Federal re-employment eligible.
  • The FOURTH area of consideration will be applicants willing to become T32 Dual Status Technicians and gain ILNG membership.
  • The FIFTH area of consideration will U.S. Citizens.

Military Grades: Warrant Officer Only - Minimum rank of CW2. Maximum rank of CW4.

Minimum Certification Requirement (certification MUST be submitted with application) Federal Aviation Administration Certification awarded from accredited civilian aviation program OR Aviation Certification from an accredited military aviation school.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-13 Level - MUST be a Qualified Instructor in the UH60 Blackhawk Helicopter. MUST possess specialized experience which includes at least two years specialized competencies in operating a specific main-frame military aircraft (UH-60 M/V), mission planning, and mission preparation; experience in reviewing and analyzing mission tasking, intelligence, and weather information; experience in filing flight plans and conducting crew briefings; experience in aircraft preflight inspections, aircraft loading, and equipment assessments; experience in performing or supervising work procedures involved in navigation, in-flight refueling, search and rescue operations or surveillance and reconnaissance; competence in conducting or supervising the training of crew members in simple to complex mission specific tasks; experience in developing plans and policies, monitoring operations, and advising commanders; knowledge in flight theory, air navigation, meteorology, flying directives, mission tactics, and operating procedures; experience in the unit flying, explosive, and ground safety programs in accordance with Department of Defense, Department of the Army, National Guard Bureau, and/or Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies, regulations, and directives.

Experience refers to 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.

Verbiage displayed on your resume or application must contain your own words. You may refer to position descriptions, i.e. the general and specialized experience located within the vacancy announcement, to assist with describing work experiences; however, resumes or applications received in verbatim will not be considered. In your resume you will need to address the general and specialized experience listed below. Please use as much detail as needed, giving dates (months and years) of the experience, position title and how the experience was gained. This information is needed to determine if you are qualified for the position.

Education

You must meet the following Education requirement to qualify for this position: Must have a high school diploma or general education development (GED) diploma. An undergraduate degree from an accredited college/university is optimum. Must have Federal Aviation Administration certifications awarded from accredited civilian aviation programs or must have aviation certifications from accredited military aviation schools. MUST PROVIDE COPY OF CERTIFICATIONS WITH APPLICATION.

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)).

If you are needing some extra information regarding Federal Resumes, you should consider these tips from USA Jobs: USAJOBS Help Center | What should I include in my federal resume.

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.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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 following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Judgement and Decision Making
  • Operation and Control
  • Safety and Security

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Your resume that clearly demonstrates experience that meets the requirements of this position. Your resume must contain identifiable information such as your name, address, and phone number. It should also show your work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.) of employment and duties performed.

  • If you are currently an onboard ILNG technician, then you MUST include your most recent SF-50.
  • MUST Provide FAA or Military School Certification
Other supporting documents (as applicable):
  • Certifications
  • DD-214
  • NGIL Form 73
  • Official Transcript
https://www.il.ngb.army.mil/Portals/30/Documents/Jobs/NGILForm73.pdf?ver=2019-05-01-161908-260
*NGIL Form 73 - Illinois National Guard Technician Program Supplement to Application for Dual Status (DS), to reflect military qualifications.

Complete and accurate data is essential to ensure fair evaluation. Applicants with no military qualifications must submit form stating "not applicable" and signature on page 2 of the NGIL Form 73.

Documents NOT accepted: photographs, copies of position descriptions, training certificates, performance ratings, awards, and letters of appreciation.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12918998

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.


To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

Charlene Penny
Phone
(309) 567-5916
Email
charlene.penny.civ@army.mil
Address
IL AASF 2
3200 S. Justice Way
Kankakee, IL 60901
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Army National Guard Units

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States. Since the earliest American colonial days, citizens have joined together for collective defense. We have a proud tradition of coming to the aid of our friends and neighbors in times of serious emergencies. Join our National Guard team and serve your nation, your states and your community!

Agency contact information

Charlene Penny
Phone
(309) 567-5916
Email
charlene.penny.civ@army.mil
Address
IL AASF 2
3200 S. Justice Way
Kankakee, IL 60901
US

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