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Air Operations Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$106K - $138K/yr

Open to current members of the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve or Air Force Active Duty component. Learn more about this agency Duties Help As an Operations Officer, GS-2101-13 , you will:

$106K - $138K/yr

Open to all Air Force Active Duty, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard. Learn more about this agency Duties Help As an Operations Officer, GS-2101-13 , you will: Manage and direct the ...

Maintain close coordination with Operations Supervision, the Range Control Officer (RCO), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and exercise participants. * Review and approve Air Tasking Order ...

$120 - $165/hr

Maintain close coordination with Operations Supervision, the Range Control Officer (RCO), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and exercise participants. * Review and approve Air Tasking Order ...

$140 - $190/hr

Maintain close coordination with Operations Supervision, the Range Control Officer (RCO), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and exercise participants. * Review and approve Air Tasking Order ...

Description SAIC is seeking an experienced Military Air Operations Planner (pilot, weapons officer, or flight officer) to provide realistic training as Air Operations Center (AOC), Combat Plans ...

ORA_ON_SITE Description SAIC is seeking an experienced Military Air Operations Planner (pilot, weapons officer, or flight officer) to provide realistic training as Air Operations Center (AOC), Combat ...

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Air Operations Officer information

See salary details

$31.5K

$77.3K

$136.5K

How much do air operations officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for air operations officer in the United States is $77,254.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39,500.00 and $102,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an air operations officer?

Air Operations Officers are professionals responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing air operations within military or civilian aviation contexts. They oversee the scheduling and deployment of aircraft, manage airspace usage, and ensure the safe and efficient execution of flight missions. Their role often involves liaising with other military branches or agencies, analyzing mission requirements, and making real-time decisions to adapt to changing situations. Air Operations Officers play a crucial part in achieving operational objectives and maintaining safety standards in aviation environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an air operations officer?

To thrive as an Air Operations Officer, you need strong organizational, analytical, and leadership skills, typically supported by a bachelor's degree and relevant military or aviation experience. Familiarity with air traffic control systems, mission planning software, and safety protocols is essential, along with possible certifications such as Air Operations certification or equivalent military training. Excellent communication, decision-making, and stress management skills help you effectively coordinate teams and respond to dynamic situations. These skills and qualities are critical for ensuring safe, efficient, and successful air mission planning and execution.

What are some common challenges faced by air operations officers in coordinating flight missions?

Air Operations Officers often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing weather conditions, unexpected air traffic restrictions, and the need to adapt to evolving mission requirements. Effective coordination between pilots, ground crews, and air traffic control is crucial, and officers must often make quick decisions to ensure safety and mission success. Additionally, managing multiple flight operations simultaneously and maintaining clear communication across teams requires strong organizational and leadership skills.

What is the difference between Air Operations Officer vs Air Traffic Controller?

AspectAir Operations OfficerAir Traffic Controller
CertificationsTypically requires military or civil aviation certifications, including safety and operational trainingRequires FAA certification and specific training in air traffic control procedures
Work EnvironmentMilitary or civil aviation settings, overseeing flight operations and safety protocolsControl towers, airports, managing aircraft movements and ensuring safe takeoffs and landings
Employer & IndustryAirlines, military, government agencies involved in aviation operationsCommercial airports, air traffic control centers

Both roles involve aviation safety and require specialized certifications. An Air Operations Officer focuses on managing flight operations and safety protocols, often within military or civil aviation organizations. An Air Traffic Controller primarily manages aircraft movements at airports, ensuring safe and efficient traffic flow. While their environments differ, both roles are essential for aviation safety and share overlapping skills in communication and operational oversight.

More about Air Operations Officer jobs

Who are the top companies hiring for Air Operations Officer jobs?

The top employers for Air Operations Officer jobs are:

Infographic showing various Air Operations Officer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,254 per year, or $37.1 per hour.

AIR OPERATIONS OFFICER (PILOT/NAVIGATOR)

Air National Guard Units

Fairchild Air Force Base, WA • On-site, Remote

$126K - $164K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Air National Guard rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

Summary
This is a Washington Air National Guard Title 32 Excepted Service Unit Technician position:
AIR OPERATIONS OFFICER (PILOT/NAVIGATOR)
Location:
141st Operations Support Squadron
Fairchild AFB, Washington 99011-9413
Air National Guard Units
Appointment Type: Permanent, excepted service
Advertised as: OFFICER
May be used to fill one or more vacancies.
*Ensure you read this announcement in its entirety, complete all application requirements, and your USA Jobs profile name is accurate*
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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A GS-2101-14, AIR OPERATIONS OFFICER (PILOT/NAVIGATOR):
  • Plans work to be accomplished by the organization which consists of about 15 or more full-time subordinates engaged in technical and administrative work. Sets priorities and prepares schedules for completion of work. Assigns work to subordinate Units based on priorities, selective consideration of difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees. Reviews, accepts, amends or rejects work which has been reviewed by subordinate supervisors. Gives advice, counsel, or instruction to supervisors and subordinate employees on both general policy and administrative matters. Consults with subordinate supervisors and training specialists on training needs. Provides or makes provision for such development and training. Makes decisions on work problems presented by subordinate supervisors. Collaborates with heads of other units to negotiate, decide on, and/or coordinate work-related changes affecting other units not personally supervised. Advises officials with broader and higher responsibilities on problems involving the relationship of the work of the organization supervised to broader programs, and its impact on such programs. Evaluates supervisors and reviews evaluations made by supervisors on other employees.
  • Oversees all unit operations activities, both in the air and on the ground, which based on unit mission and equipment, may include any of the following Air Operation6 program support functional areas: Training, Standardization and Evaluation, Tactics. Scheduling, Plans, Command Post, Intelligence, Life Support, Flying Operations and Flight Management.
  • Develops long-range training and deployment plans for the unit to meet training goals, higher headquarters Inspection schedules and overseas deployment requirements. Coordinates required planning and resources with other units and higher headquarters to support and implement the training and deployment plan. Directs the development of unit training goals and long-range advanced planning to include facility/equipment modernization, improvement or replacement develops detailed plans or accomplishment on these training goals and advanced plans.
  • Acts as a key advisor on the Commander's staff to coordinate unit flying operations with other ANG flying units and outside agencies, e.g. the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), civilian airport authorities, etc., and with unit maintenance resources and support areas. Acts as central point of contact with local and regional FAA representatives In establishing letters of agreement or aircraft operations, developing and controlling military training airspace, investigating possible violations of flying directives, and coordination for local unit sponsored exercises.
  • Serves as the Operations representative on the Commander's Financial Management Board. Develops and recommends the operations budget or approval to higher headquarters based on unit requirements and mission. Oversees the approved operations budget and allocates resources to meet training goals to include sufficient expenditure of man-day allocations. Serves as the operations representative on the Base Facilities Utilization Board.
  • Develops and directs the unit flying hour program in coordination with higher headquarters to meet approved higher headquarters flying hour allocations. Oversees and coordinates the unit Status of Resources and Training Systems (SORTS) reports with higher headquarters to determine unit mission capability under wartime conditions. Assesses the impact on organizational programs and resource management.
  • Oversees all unit flight and ground training of assigned/attached flying personnel. Reviews and recommends establishment for formal courses of instruction, training aids, training programs, training standards, directives and memoranda pertaining to training of the unit and its assigned and attached elements. Monitors training programs to ensure maximum utilization oi training facilities, adherence to training standards and avoidance of duplicate training effort
  • Monitors the implementation of an effective division safety program for all flying operations and related ground activities. Continually evaluates program results to reduce or eliminate accidents and Incidents. Follows-up on the corrective action taken to eliminate hazards.
  • Develops division policy for flight management personnel to insure effective and efficient administrative control of all flight documentation and Individual flight records. Oversees the operations computer program in coordination with the base-wide computer program. Participates in management decisions impacting purchase and use of computer hardware, software, and training programs for the unit.
  • Other duties as assigned.(temporary, minor, or incidental tasks)

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
MILITARY REQUIREMENTS:
Military Grades: 11 MXF
Desired Military Assignments: O4 - O5
- Applicants need not be assigned to the position or possess the AFSC to apply or be considered for selection. Selected applicant must be assigned to a compatible Military position and attain AFSC within 1 year of appointment action.
- May be required to successfully complete a trial period.
- Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
- Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
- Must maintain membership in the WA Air National Guard for continued employment.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position.
- 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.
- Position requires ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.
- May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required.
- The duties and responsibilities of your job may significantly impact the environment. You are responsible to maintain awareness of your environmental responsibilities as dictated by legal and regulatory requirements, your organization, and its changing mission.
Qualifications
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Experience that provided a general knowledge and under-standing of traffic or transportation programs or operations.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
Must have at least 36 months Experience, education, or training routine and non-routine preflight, in-flight, post-flight, ground or command and control (C2) duties according to specific transportation functions. Receives, interprets, extracts, and disseminates relevant data for mission planning or execution. Experience coordinating and negotiating with organizations/personnel both orally and in writing to resolve differences/problems. Experience, education, or training in following directives and regulations. Experience interpreting and applying published directives or regulations. Experience communicating with others.
OR
1-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade.
***Note: To qualify under the one-year Specialized Experience (SE) provision (when stated in the SE section), you must provide either:
Two SF-50s (or equivalent) showing you were in the same occupational series at the next lower grade for at least one full year. The two SF-50s must span that full one-year period, from the older SF-50 to the newer SF-50 and reflect employment with the same federal agency.
-or-
One SF-50 (or equivalent) if your resume shows at least one year of continuous employment in the position reflected on the SF-50 (or equivalent).
Education
Education Requirements:
High School Diploma or GED
Degree Required: N/A
Degree Required to qualify with Education Only (No Specialized Experience):N/A

You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims. To receive credit for Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Education requirements for this position.
If you are selected for a vacancy that requires a specific degree and/or coursework you will be required to provide official transcripts prior to appointment.
Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience:
Additional information
- Certain incentive(s) may be available pending funding and approval but are not guaranteed.
- If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).
- Military Technicians are ineligible for enlistment, retention, and student loan repayment bonuses. Acceptance of a Technician position will terminate these incentives.
- Military Technicians in the excepted service will wear the appropriate uniform while performing as a Technician.
- Veteran's preference does not apply to National Guard Technician positions in accordance with Title 32 USC 709 (f).
- May be required to successfully complete a trial period.
REEMPLOYED ANNUITANT: In accordance with Section 9902(g) of Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), annuitants reemployed in the DoD will receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They will not be eligible for retirement contributions, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, or a supplemental or redetermined annuity for the reemployment period. Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e., retired in accordance with Section 8336(d)(1) or Section8414(b)(1)(A) of Title 5, U.S.C.) appointed to the DoD may elect to be subject to retirement provisions of the new appointment as appropriate.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
The WA National Guard is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.
If you are unable to upload a document online please send the document via email to our WA HRO Distro Box.
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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
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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.
Review our 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.

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