Operations Officer/Pilot - 62000493

Requisition No: 850436 

Agency: Military Affairs

Working Title: Operations Officer/Pilot - 62000493

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 62000493 

Salary:  Up to $120,000 

Posting Closing Date: 09/10/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FLORIDA STATE GUARD

*** OPEN COMPETITIVE***

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 11:59 p.m. on closing date

VACANCY # 62000493

WORK LOCATION: Lakeland, Florida

ABOUT THE FLORIDA STATE GUARD (FSG)

The Florida State Guard serves Florida as a cornerstone of statewide crisis and emergency response. The mission of the Florida State Guard is to protect and preserve the life and property of the people of Florida from all threats to public safety through rapid deployment of ground, maritime, and air capabilities in partnership with state and local agencies. The Florida State Guard is a Division of the Florida Department of Military Affairs.

OUR BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Dental, Vision and Supplemental Insurance     
• Retirement Benefits   
• Vacation and Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Opportunities for Career Advancement
• Tuition Waiver for Public College Courses
• Training Opportunities
• For benefit information available to State of Florida employees, go to http://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

1. New employees of the Florida State Guard will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screening.
2. New employees of the Florida State Guard are required to participate in a direct deposit/electronic transfer program. 
3. The Florida State Guard is paid on a monthly basis.
4. As a CANDIDATE, you may be required to provide documentation (i.e., High School Diploma or Equivalency, College Transcripts, ETC.) to verify meeting these Minimum Qualifications.

*NOTE*

To be considered for this position, application must be fully completed, your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process and clearly stated within the employment history.   

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Federal Aviation Administration certifications awarded from accredited civilian aviation programs OR must have aviation certifications from accredited military aviation schools:
  • Commercial Pilot
  • *Certified Flight Instructor
  • *Certified Flight Instructor Instrument
  • *Multi-Engine Airplane
  • *Multi-Engine Helicopter

*Notes military equivalent for a specific airframe may be substituted.

• Ability to obtain an FAA ATP in category(ies) of aircraft to be flown within one year of employment.
• Current or ability to maintain an FAA Class II medical certificate.
• In excess of 3500 hours of total flight time:
  • At least 2500 hours of multi-engine rotary-winged and/or 1500 hours of multi-engine fixed-winged required
• In excess of 500 hours NVG, any airframe
• At least two years experience in instructing others in a specific airframe/military aircraft

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directs operations, training, and readiness in accordance with plans, policies and standard operating procedures for the agency’s squadron of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, pilots and crews. 
• Maintain type ratings, special qualifications, and currency and proficiency across all agency aircraft.  Be prepared to assume Air Mission Commander (AMC) duties for complex aviation operations.
• Provide advice and counsel to the Chief Pilot and squadron commander regarding aviation operations and overall operational readiness and effectiveness of the unit.
• Monitor, evaluate, and make recommendations for improving squadron training, readiness, and standards programs
• Ensure that all pilots and crews comply with minimum training, currency, and proficiency requirements.
• Instructs or examines pilots in flying proficiency, evaluates pilots’ abilities to plan flights and missions.
• Plan and administer the budget for the flight operations program in concert with the maintenance officer.
• Provide technical assistance to aircraft accident investigative teams and may recommend policy changes as a result
• Supervise, direct, and monitor training and integration of reserve pilots and crews in agency’s aviation operations.
• Assume the roles and responsibilities of Chief Pilot as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Experience with civilian and military aviation programs.
• Experience piloting one or more of the following aircraft: UH-60, Bell 412, UH-1, KingAir 350, Cessna 425, and Cessna 206.
• Experience with visual flight-rule type flying and aircraft instrument flying.
• Experience training and instructing others in the piloting of a fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
• Experience with mission tasking, intelligence reporting, and applying weather information.
• Experience supervising and/or filing of flight plans and conducting crew briefings.
• Experience with aircraft preflight inspections, aircraft loading, equipment assessments, and mission manning.
• Experience performing and supervising search and rescue operations, MEDEVAC, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.
• Experience developing plans and policies, monitoring operations, and advising commanders.
• Experience with flight theory, air navigation, meteorology, flying directives, aircraft operating procedures, and mission tactics.
• Experience with aviation quality control and aviation safety programs in accordance with federal and state requirements.
• Experience coordinating with appropriate agencies to ensure compliance with all applicable safety regulations and programs.
• Experience completing safe and efficient flight operations using Operational Risk Management.
• Experience with integrating manned and unmanned aircraft in aviation operations and airspace control measures.
• Experience planning, scheduling, and conducting flights through Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) controlled airspace.
• Experience working independently to plan and perform work assignments.
• Experience cancelling flying activities, diverting aircraft, dictating mission requirements, approving specific activities, coordinating for airport or airspace utilization with FAA, and/or, directing emergency actions involving unit support agencies.
• Experience using applicable FAA regulations, policies, requirements and standards, skills and practices; and instructing pilots in the same.
• Experience conducting particular surveillance tactics, missions, or specific main-frame aircraft; or, flying in various types of terrain, performing tactical remote site evaluation, performing landings on remote sites, providing ground and flight training, and conducting night-vision operations and instruction.
• Experience overseeing standardization and evaluation programs, written ground examinations, emergency procedures, and aircrew performance standards in accordance with applicable directives and FAA certification requirements.
• Experience with special mission equipment and tactics applicable to the FSG aviation mission.
• Experience applying operational and training directives, applicable flight publications, instructions, standard operating procedures, and special instructions of supported local, state or federal agencies.
• Experience maintaining detailed emergency and non-emergency plans and supplements for unit mobility, deployment, away from home station field operations/ employment, and redeployment.

SPECIAL REMINDERS:

The State of Florida and The Florida State Guard participate in the E-Verify program. Federal law requires that all employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of any person hired to work in the United States.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov

All members of the Florida Retirement System are required to contribute 3% of their salary on a pre-tax basis.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

The Florida State Guard values and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.