Helicopter Pilot Job

Vacancy No. DE-12794648-25-WS Department Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Salary $88,621.00 to $121,837.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/11/2025 Close Date 9/17/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Cocoa, FLPanama City, FLBrunswick, GAHinesville, GA


Summary

This position is located in the U .S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services (WS) program. you will serve as a Pilot with responsibility for flying rotary wing aircraft (helicopters) in support of WS operations to protect a variety of resources and human interests from wildlife damage.

Duties

  • The duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Frequently pilots a helicopter with a crew member, gunner, or observer on board for the purpose of locating and/or shooting predatory or other damaging animals.
  • Operations of improved and unimproved landing areas, including roads and other open areas, which occasionally involve exposure to strong surface wind and air currents.
  • Flight assignments generally involve flying at minimum speeds, at low altitudes, normally under favorable weather conditions, and over unfavorable terrain (e.g., mountains, forests, or deserts).
  • Flight assignments may also involve search and rescue projects, surveys, or other searches for various wildlife species, sometimes with the use of radio-telemetry to aid in wildlife location.
  • Responsible for ensuring both routine and unusual maintenance and airworthiness of helicopters placed under their responsibility in accordance with the APHIS Aviation Operations manual.
  • Responsible for receiving recurrent flight training, and for providing training and instruction to other WS personnel in the proper procedures and techniques of shooting (gunning) from a helicopter.
  • Ensures all aerial operations including, but not limited to, hours flown, areas flown, and numbers of animals removed, are documented through aircraft and personal log books.
  • Remains current on required pilot qualifications and licensing and continually reviews applicable policies, laws, and regulations. Incumbent is cognizant of aviation industry practices and methods.
  • Has working knowledge of the habits, characteristics, and habitats occupied by target species that are a threat in terms of economic interest or public health aspects of human and livestock safety.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
  • Successful completion of one-year trial period.
  • Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
  • Selectee will be subject to a pre-employment medical statement and/or exam.
  • Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
  • All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
  • Extended travel or temporary duty may be required of the position. This may involve irregular working hours, including overtime.
  • Incumbents must be able to comply with both Federal and State statutory requirements to possess and use firearms in the performance of their duties and must maintain state-mandated firearm use certification requirements.
  • Must possess and maintain valid FAA flight certification and, flight hours, qualifications in appropriate aircraft (helicopter) required for this position.
  • After successfully passing the initial screening, the New Hire pilot enters the WS New Hire/Contractor Pilot training program.
  • Required to fly very precise patterns close to the surface (ground level to 200 feet) at slow speeds (60 knots or less).
  • Typical missions are flown during daylight hours under visual conditions with extreme variances of temperature, wind conditions, high density altitudes, and over unfavorable terrain (e.g. mountains, forest or desserts).
  • Must be able to become certified by Wildlife Services for Predator Damage Management flights.
  • Travel in state and out of state is required. In addition to travel to perform mission delivery there will be occasional travel for special projects, meetings and training.
  • To fulfill field or laboratory requirements in this position, proof of specific vaccinations and boosters, may be required as a condition of employment to prevent contracting preventable diseases.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

Minimum eligibility requirements for positions in this occupation are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements, and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the positions.

Certificates and Ratings:
Candidates must possess a current Commercial Pilot Certificate with helicopter rating or the appropriate military rating.

NOTE: Candidates establishing eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot, flight instructor, or flight examiner, as appropriate. Other certificates that meet or exceed the requirements of the Commercial Pilot Certificate are also acceptable, e.g., an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.

Flight Experience:
Candidates must demonstrate possession of the knowledge and skills required for the work by meeting certain minimum flight hour requirements, including recency of flight experience. Only that flight experience that is directly related to the work of the position is required for purposes of establishing minimum eligibility.

The following flight hour requirements apply to all applicants:

-Total Flight Time: -- 1500 hours. Flight time as pilot-in command or copilot in aircraft of any weight or category is creditable for this requirement.
-Pilot-In-Command -- 250 hours. Only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable.
-Night Flying -- 75 hours.
-Flying Time, Last 12 Months -- 100 hours

In addition to meeting OPM requirements, all pilots (WS & Contract) must meet the following:

The following Selective Placement Factor (SPF) requirement is being used to determine whether an applicant fully qualifies for this position. Therefore, it is MANDATORY that all applicants meet this requirement in order to receive further consideration for this job vacancy. Applicants must demonstrate that they have the knowledge and experience of the SPF listed below. Evidence of this experience must be documented in your resume. Applicants who fail to meet this requirement and/or address the SPF may lose further consideration:

- 1200 hours PIC flight time in single or multi-engine helicopter; and
- 100 hours in light class size aircraft; and
- 100 hours in a helicopter equipped with a turbine engine; and
- 100 hours PIC time in the preceding 12 months, including 50 hours in the preceding 6 months of low-level flight over hazardous or mountainous terrain, and operations conducted from unimproved airstrips/helipads at high-density altitudes; and
- 250 hours experience as PIC for wildlife damage management operations; or
- 250 hours experience in aerial live capture, darting, or tagging/marking operations in which the helicopter was consistently flown and maneuvered close to the surface; or
- 500 hours experience in agriculture application operations or similar WS type flying experience: or
- For pilots that do not have the above specialized low-level requirements, other low-level helicopter pilot experience may be substituted when approved by the Aviation Training and Operations Center National Aviation Manager and Director of Safety and Operations on a case by case basis.

FOR THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience
equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the Federal
service.

- Experience flying at low levels (less than 500 feet AGL).
- Experience landing on unimproved and/or remote terrain.
- Experience flying in adverse environmental conditions

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.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
  • First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
  • Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.
  • This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 Months. (Appointment may be extended up to 4 years without reannouncing). For more details click: Term Appointments
  • Documentation, e.g. Pilot Certificate, Valid Medical Certificate, veteran's documentation will be accepted in combination with your on-line application. These documents must be uploaded on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number. The following two documents are REQUIRED to verify qualifications for this occupation: 1) Pilot Certificate [front and back]; and 2) Medical Certificate (Valid first or Second-Class Medical Certificate). Flight hours to meet the minimum requirements should be stated clearly on resume or in the applicant questionnaire. Failure supply appropriate documentation prior to the closing of the job announcement will result in removal of consideration of this position.
  • Duty locations for the 3 vacancies in this announcement include 1 vacancy in Oklahoma City, OK and 2 vacancies that may be located in one of the other following locations listed in the job announcement: Nicholasville, KY, Goshen, KY, Lexington, KY, Harrodsburg, KY, Leesville, SC, Trenton, SC, Irmo, SC, St. Mary's GA, Brunswick, GA, Panama City Beach, FL, Cocoa, FL, Mandeville, LA, Laurens, SC, New Berlin, WI, Cody, WY, Hinesville, GA, Williamston, SC, Monroe, GA, Jesup, GA, Dubuque, IA.

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.

Benefits

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.

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.

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:

  • Aviation Safety
  • Mechanical
  • Pest Control
  • Remote Sensing


Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12794648

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

  • Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications; and 5) supervisors name and phone number for each work period listed and whether or not they may be contacted for reference checks.
  • Appropriate FAA flight certifications
  • FAA medical certificate
  • If claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions within 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. The certification must be on the letterhead of the appropriate military branch and include the dates of military service. Veterans' preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
  • If claiming 10-point veterans' preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS
  • Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), last performance appraisal that is at least fully successful or its equivalent, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
  • Worker's Compensation Separation: Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50.
    • Disability Annuity Termination: Notification from OPM of disability annuity termination AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held. Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456: Certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.

Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov. It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic email notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application.

Step 2: Create a Resume with USAJOBS or upload a Resume into your USAJOBS account. You may want to customize your resume to ensure it documents duties and accomplishments you have gained that are directly related to this position in order to verify that qualifications are met. In addition, your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire (you may preview the online questionnaire by clicking on the link at the end of the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement).

Step 3: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the Occupational Questionnaire and attach any additional documents that may be required. You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Simply log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application" to continue.

NOTE: Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable.

Agency contact information

MRP Human Resources
Address
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
USDA APHIS MRPBS
250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410
Minneapolis, MN 55401
US

Next steps

If you set up your USAJOBS account to send automatic email notifications, your will receive an email acknowledging: 1) the submission of your online Occupational Questionnaire and resume was successful, 2) if you were referred to the selecting official for consideration, and 3) if you were selected or not selected. Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. This announcement may also be used to fill additional like vacancies, including vacancies elsewhere within the agency or other USDA organizations.

Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to MRP.Fairchance@usda.gov, subject line: Fair Chance Act.

Additional Locations

  • Jesup, GA
  • Monroe, GA
  • Saint Marys, GA
  • Dubuque, IA
  • Goshen, KY
  • Harrodsburg, KY
  • Lexington, KY
  • Nicholas County, KY
  • Mandeville, LA
  • Oklahoma County, OK
  • Irmo, SC
  • Laurens, SC
  • Leesville, SC
  • Trenton, SC
  • Williamston, SC
  • New Berlin, WI
  • Cody, WY


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


© 2006-2025, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements