MILITARY REQUIREMENTS: This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military grade in the Alabama Air National Guard. Applicants who are not currently a member of the Alabama Air National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact an Alabama Air National Guard recruiter at (800) 864-6264 prior to applying for this position.
MINIMUM MILITARY RANK: A1C
MAXIMUM MILITARY RANK: TSGT
*Other Requirements: For positions requiring the operation of motor vehicles, candidates must have a valid state driver's license.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Each applicant must fully substantiate (in his/her own words) that he/she meets the requirements of the Specialized Experience listed below: Otherwise, the applicant will be considered unqualified for this position. DO NOT COPY THE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT OR THE POSITION DESCRIPTION. DOING SO MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FOR THE POSITION.
GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Experience or training that has provided the candidate with the skill to remove and replace aircraft parts, accessories, and components, and to make adjustments and settings according to established specifications. Must be skilled in the use of hand tools and test equipment.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to journey-level experience or training equivalent to or exceeding the WG-10 or WU-10 grade level, positions at this grade level may include performing duties as a dedicated crew chief. Other positions may include responsibility for performing, coordinating, and/or overseeing the work and any periodic inspections to be done on an aircraft whether it is alone, or with the assistance of other mechanics and/or workers. Some positions may include coordinating the work of other journey-level workers in other trades to work simultaneously on the aircraft. Other positions may include serving as the technical authority to advise on, examine, and approve all airframe, mechanical, electrical, and pneudraulic repairs of assigned aircraft.
SKILL & KNOWLEDGE:
The standard identifies the WG-10 level as the full performance journey level for this series. At that level, the incumbent is responsible for, and has knowledge of the makeup, operation, installation and adjustment of major interrelated and/or integrated aircraft systems, subsystems, and assemblies. Each military aircraft is known as a "weapon system" which includes a vast variety of interrelated and integrated systems and subsystems capable of performing and carrying out wartime missions under both offensive and defensive scenarios. Missions are performed under a variety of adverse and extremely critical conditions, which must be overcome. Aircraft are designed with extremely technical and complex capabilities involved with air refueling, precision bombing, aerial intercept and combat, air drops of troops and equipment under combat conditions, rescue and recovery under the most dangerous and adverse of conditions. Military aircraft are equipped with highly sophisticated systems and subsystems to be able to accomplish such missions, while at the same time, employing defensive systems designed to safeguard the aircraft and its crew. They must be operationally maintained and kept in constant combat ready (C-1) status. This clearly exceeds the level of skill and knowledge established at the WG-10 level regarding the complexity of the aircraft and criticality of the military mission. The skill and knowledge level established at the WG-11 level in the standard does not significantly exceed the WG-10 level. Journey level mechanics of military aircraft regularly perform at the skill and knowledge level identified, with few exceptions, and those have more to do with responsibility, rather than skill and knowledge. Indeed, the Crew Chief routinely exercises journey level skill and knowledge as described at both the WG-10 and WG-11. Similarly, WG-10 mechanics of military aircraft typically exercise the skill and knowledge described at both the WG-10 and 11 levels with few limitations. WG-10 mechanics, for example, do not have responsibility for the coordination of work of other mechanics, determine when the work is properly done, or clear aircraft discrepancies. While they may have the skill and knowledge to do this, they haven't been given the responsibility. Similarly, they have not been given responsibility to do "run ups and taxi the aircraft"; this also is more a responsibility, than a skill and knowledge. In summation, there is little significant difference in the skill and knowledge required at the GS-10 and 11 levels, as depicted by the standard, for the Crew Chief position. It is adequately credited and meets the WG-11 level of the standard.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work is performed in hanger areas, and on parking ramps, both inside and outside of the aircraft. Work areas are typically noisy. Work is carried out in weather extremes involving cold, wind, rain, snow, and heat. Work is often carried out in confined spaces and awkward positions. Dirt, dust, grease, and aircraft fluids are a common problem. Hazardous gasses and fluids such as Hydrozine, jet fuel, solvents, Halon, and the like are prevalent. Scaffolds, ladders, and aircraft surfaces can become slick and dangerous, resulting in cuts, bruises, falls, and strains. Incumbents are subject to injury from numerous moving parts such as flight control surfaces, loosened components, etc. Workers are exposed to hot exhaust blast and intake suction. Ramps are active and noisy, with vehicles, aircraft and support equipment moving constantly.