Clarification from the agency

This is an open continuous announcement. Initial cutoff will be 26 JANUARY 2026. Recruitment will continue through the announcement closing date until the position is filled. Limited to current, onboard permanent IL NG technicians/employees only.

As an AIRCRAFT MECHANIC (TITLE 32), WG-8852-12, you will act as the Aircraft Mechanic (Crew Chief) with responsibility for managing the operational readiness of one or more aircraft, and proficiency training of supported aviation unit personnel.

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

• Manage, monitor, or perform overall maintenance, servicing, inspections, and documentation for one or more highly technical military aircraft.
• Serve as the technical authority to identify and advise on requirements for airframe, mechanical, electrical/environmental, avionics, engine, and pneudraulic repairs.
• Perform damage assessment and determine corrective repair actions for assigned aircraft systems and components.
• Coordinate and oversee installation of aircraft equipment required for special missions and operational reconfiguration.
• Utilize a wide variety of complex computerized and non-computerized TMDE to diagnose aircraft system and component malfunctions.
• Select and apply appropriate tools, support equipment, and test devices to accomplish aircraft maintenance and repair tasks.
• Perform operational tests of aircraft systems and components to verify proper function and airworthiness.
• Oversee ground movement of aircraft to include launch, recovery, parking, and servicing operations.
• Interpret and apply technical publications, directives, wiring diagrams, blueprints, and layout drawings to accomplish maintenance actions.
• Ensure aircraft maintenance and repair actions comply with applicable technical orders, directives, and local policy.
• Review and validate aircraft forms and documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and airworthiness status.
• Observe and inspect work performed by others to ensure compliance with prescribed procedures and technical guidance.
• Diagnose and resolve malfunctions of aircraft systems and components through analysis of specifications and operating characteristics.
• Make independent maintenance decisions to ensure assigned aircraft remains in the highest state of readiness.
• Clear Red X status symbols for work performed by others and certify adherence to quality and safety standards.
• Assist AVCRAD/DEPOT-level maintenance activities by resolving aircraft discrepancies and validating corrective actions.
• Provide technical guidance to flight crews regarding observed discrepancies, in-flight characteristics, and system malfunctions.

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.
• Must possess, or be able to obtain and maintain, qualification and currency on UH-60 Blackhawk aircraft as a condition of employment in the Illinois Army National Guard. Failure to obtain or maintain required military qualification and currency may result in removal from the 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.
• 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.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• Recruitment and relocation incentives may be available for this position.
• Limited to on-board ILNG technicians only.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the required security clearance.

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 area of consideration for this position will be all excepted permanent and indefinite temporary technicians within the ILNG.

Military Grades: Enlisted Only - Minimum rank requirement of SPC and May not exceed the rank of MSG.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: WG-12 Level - MUST possess at least journey-level experience or training equivalent to or exceeding the WG-10 level, and involves performing duties as a dedicated aircraft crew chief or responsibility for performing, coordinating, and/or overseeing aircraft maintenance and periodic inspections, either independently or with the assistance of other mechanics or workers. This experience may also include coordinating the work of other journey-level workers in multiple trades performing simultaneous work on an aircraft, and serving as the technical authority to advise on, examine, and approve airframe, mechanical, electrical, and pneudraulic repairs of assigned aircraft.


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 above. 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.

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):

• Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Includes Blueprint Reading)
• Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
• Troubleshooting

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.

Other supporting documents (as applicable):

• Certifications
• DD-214
• NGIL Form 73
• Official Transcript (Copy) - Required if using for substitution of experience.

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.

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