Clarification from the agency

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

• The incumbent serves as the USAF Test Pilot School's principle technical expert for airborne flight test techniques (FTTs) across the broadest spectrum of aerospace vehicle applications and flight test technical disciplines.
• The incumbent is the senior test pilot flight instructor and the role model for all other Test Pilot Flight Instructors.
• Represents Test Pilot School as a recognized flight test technical expert at national and international symposium and conferences.
• Represents USAF TPS with a variety of installation and functional area organizations.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• Selectee is expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.
• 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/
• Relocation costs or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization.
• This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• This position may require drug testing and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection.
• Incumbent is subject to work other than normal duty hours, which may change daily due to aircraft and academic work schedules.
• Employee must maintain current certifications
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
• Selectee may be required to serve a probationary or trial period.
• Previous military pilot experience as an instructor/mission commander in fighter or multi-engine aircraft (F-15, F-16, F-18, F-22, F-35, C-17, B-1, B-2, etc).
• Graduate of USAF Test Pilot School, USN Test Pilot School, Empire Test Pilot School or EPNER.
• Must meet USAF Class II flying requirements to include physical requirements to fly ejection seat aircraft, at the time of appointment.
• Incumbent will have access to flight surgeons and must comply with AFI 48-123 requirements to see a flight surgeon for Duties Not Involving Flying (DNIF) and Return to Flying Status (RTFS) determinations.
• Must possess a current Commercial Pilot Certificate or the appropriate military rating. The FAA Flight Instructor Certificate or the military equivalent rating is also required.
• Must meet the specialized OPM experience requirements for a GS-2181 Test Pilot Flight Instructor (1750 hrs total flight time, 1300 hrs PIC, 300 hrs IP time, 75 hr Instrument time, 100 hrs flight time in the last 12 months).

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the GS-2181, Test Pilot Flight Instructor, Aircraft Operation Series.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have completed the following flight hours in order to be eligible for this position:

• Total Flight Time - 1750 Flight Hours. NOTE: Flight time as a pilot-in-command or copilot in aircraft of any weight or category is creditable.
• Pilot-in-command -1150 Flight Hours. NOTE: Only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable.
• Night Flying - 75 Flight Hours.
• Instructor Hours - 500 Flight Hours. NOTE: Only flight hours acquired as instructor are creditable.
• Instrument 75 Flight Hours. NOTE: At least 10 hours must have been logged in actual instrument weather; the balance may have been acquired in a flight simulator or as other types of instrument flight time, e.g., hood instrument.
• Flying time within the last 12 months - 100 Flight Hours.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level close to the work of this position that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform. Typically, we would find this experience in work within a field that is closely related. To be creditable, the specialized experience must have been equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-14), pay band or equivalent. Specialized experience is described as the possession of the knowledge and skills required for the work by meeting certain minimum flight hour requirements, including recency of flight experience. The categories in which candidates are required to demonstrate proficiency relate to (1) the general knowledge and skills to pilot the aircraft, and (2) the specific knowledge and skills related to the particular position being filled ( Test Pilot Flight Instructor). Only that flight experience that is directly related to the work of the position is required for purposes of establishing minimum eligibility.

Applicants must possess a current Commercial Pilot Certificate or the appropriate military rating; both meet the intent of the requirement. The FSS Flight Instructor Certificate or the military equivalent rating is also required. The pilot certificate must include the rating (s) appropriate to the work of the position to be filled. 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.

YOU MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FLIGHT/INSTRUCTOR HOURS WITH YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE.

Ideal Candidate:
This job is for an experienced flight tester and leader who has the background, commitment, and vision to take on this once in a generation opportunity to become the Chief Test Pilot at the USAF Test Pilot School. Candidates must be intellectually inquisitive, articulate, passionate about flying and education, an engaging speaker, an experienced leader, and a highly skilled military test pilot.
Desired background for this nationally/internationally recognized technical expert in airborne flight test and evaluation includes a Masters Degree in Engineering or Physics, 10+ years of experience in military flight test; prior teaching experience; involvement in flight test professional organizations such as SETP, SFTE, and/or AIAA, author of several technical publications/symposia presentations, and leadership experience.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-­grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-14 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-15 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

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. A very high level of technical knowledge (to include sufficient depth and breath) and a demonstrated mastery in experimental aerospace vehicle flight test and evaluation techniques that enable incumbent to serve as the Chief Test Pilot Flight Instructor and Flight Test Technique Technical Expert for the world's premier Test Pilot School.
2. A very high level of technical knowledge and demonstrated expert skills to operate, maintain qualification in, and provide advanced flight test technique instruction in two to three different and dissimilar aircraft/weapons systems including the T-38, F-15, F-16, NF-16D Variable-Stability In-Flight Simulator Test Aircraft (VISTA), C-12, T-3, sailplanes, and other aircraft as required by the training requirement of the USAF TPS.
3. A very high level of knowledge, skill and ability in experimental flight test theory, flight test techniques, flight test methods and flight test procedures used to evaluate research, prototype and production aerospace vehicles, systems and weapons.
4. A very high level of knowledge of all applicable regulations, laws and directives governing the conduct of experimental flight test operations.
5. A very high level of knowledge, skill and ability to conduct basic and advanced ground and in-flight flight test instruction to include theory, planning, techniques, and execution and to evaluate a flight test student's progress throughout all phases of student training (performance, flying qualities, systems, and test management).
6. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies.
7. Ability to provide oral briefings, classroom lectures, and highly technical guidance to Test Pilot School students and staff.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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.

The resume/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.

For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

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.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.

1. Online Application: Questionnaire
2. Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:

• Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
• Branch of Armed Forces
• Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
• Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
• Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
• Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
• Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
• Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.

Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.

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