1

Contract Usda Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... pilot projects that provide voluntary incentives to U.S. growers and producers to adopt improved ... Ensure USDA-specific policies, procedures, and compliance requirements are followed, providing ...

Lab Director

Carrollton, TX · On-site

$102K - $133K/yr

Labstat - A global leader in contract research and testing for nicotine, tobacco, cannabis, hemp ... USDA, and other regulated sectors, powered by a large network of independent advisors. * FSNS ...

Lab Director

Carrollton, TX

$102K - $133K/yr

Labstat - A global leader in contract research and testing for nicotine, tobacco, cannabis, hemp ... USDA, and other regulated sectors, powered by a large network of independent advisors. * FSNS ...

Apply Early

Contract Usda Pilot information

See salary details

$49.5K

$130.9K

$201K

How much do contract usda pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract usda pilot in the United States is $130,916.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Contract Usda Pilot vs Contract USDA Inspector?

AspectContract USDA PilotContract USDA Inspector
Required CredentialsTypically requires USDA certifications, relevant agricultural or food safety trainingRequires USDA certifications, food safety, and inspection training
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, farm visits, and on-site inspectionsInspection facilities, farms, and processing plants
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by USDA for pilot programs and experimental projectsStandard role within USDA for food safety and quality inspections

The Contract USDA Pilot and Contract USDA Inspector roles share similar credentials and work environments, focusing on food safety and agricultural inspections. The Pilot role often involves experimental or temporary projects, while the Inspector role is a standard position within USDA's ongoing inspection programs.

More about Contract Usda Pilot jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Usda Pilot jobs? Cities with the most Contract Usda Pilot job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Usda Pilot jobs? The most popular types of Usda Pilot jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Usda Pilot jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Usda Pilot jobs include:
Aircraft Instructor (Airplane)

Aircraft Instructor (Airplane)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Phoenix, AZ • On-site, Remote

$89K - $128K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Summary
You will serve as the Flight Instructor for the USDA, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service - Wildlife Services (WS) Aviation Program is responsible for the evaluation and analysis of the aviation safety and flight crew proficiency for all rotary or fixed wing aviation activities that fall within WS operations and research programs.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
  • The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
  • The duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Conducts and coordinates routine Proficiency Flight Reviews (check ride) for all WS agencies and contract pilots.
  • Direct or participates in conducting flight evaluations and training for rotary and/or fixed wing aircraft and crews to determine compliance with WS standards and any applicable FARs.
  • Assures that agency contractors are properly trained in WS aviation activities and that they meet all contract requirements related to WS aviation safety and operations.
  • Conducts safety inspections to verify training certification requirements and required minimum equipment list functionality for all agency and contract rotary or fixed wing aircraft and crews.
  • Provides technical assistance to contractors providing aviation services to WS to establish training requirements and standards for contract pilots and crews.
  • Conducts on-site safety visits for all WS aviation programs, evaluates rotary or fixed wing aircraft crews and their use of aircraft in relation to prior training received and determines additional training needs based on field observations.

Requirements
Help
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.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
  • 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/
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Selectee will be subject to a pre-employment medical statement and/or exam.
  • 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.

Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
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.
Medical Requirements
At the time of initial appointment, candidates for all pilot positions must possess a current first or second-class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations; both meet the intent of the requirement. If an agency decides, for example, not to accept the second-class medical certificate, the rationale for the decision should be based upon the requirements of the position, and should be thoroughly described in agency operating material. Staff specialists not involved in the operation of aircraft need only have a medical examination indicating that they are able to perform the duties of the position to be filled. For flight test pilots, airspace system inspection pilots, and Customs pilots, all candidates must possess a current first class medical certificate at the time of appointment.
Certificates and Ratings:
For all grade levels and specializations, candidates must possess a current Commercial Pilot Certificate or the appropriate military rating; both meet the intent of the requirement. If an agency decides, for example, not to accept the military rating, the rationale for the decision should be based upon the requirements of the position and should be thoroughly described in agency operating material. For flight instructor positions, the FAA 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. For example, a position that involves flying a multi-engine airplane to various destinations under instrument flight rules would require the Commercial Pilot Certificate with the airplane, multi-engine, and instrument ratings or appropriate U.S. military ratings. Positions that require flying or instructing in flying both airplanes and helicopters require a rating in both categories. Only those ratings necessary to perform the work are required.
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.
Minimum Flight Hour Requirements:
  1. Total Flight Time 1500 HRS- Flight time as pilot-in-command or copilot in aircraft of any weight or category is creditable for this requirement.
  2. Pilot-In-Command 250 HRS- Only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable.
  3. Night Flying 75 HRS For in service placement actions at the GS-11 level and above, 25 hours may be waived if the candidate demonstrates the ability to perform the work.
  4. Flying Time, Last 12 Months 100 HRS Required only for positions that involve flying. The flight hours specified apply to competitive appointments.
  5. Instructor Time 500 HRS Must be related to the nature of the instruction work and the category of aircraft operated (i.e., airplane or helicopter) in the position to be filled. If the purpose of the position is to provide instruction in instrument flight techniques, one-half of the flight time must have involved instrument instruction in either airplanes or helicopters.

In addition to the meeting the above criteria you must also show the specialized experience below:
FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
  • Flying single engine tail wheel aircraft.
  • Operating single engine, tail wheel aircraft at low airspeeds (near stall) and low altitudes (100 feet above ground level).
  • Aerial predator control operations in mountainous environments.
  • Low level flight experience with an Airplane similar to the Piper Cub (tailwheel airplane) or a make and model of aircraft of similar type (i.e. Single Engine Piston). Please ensure the aircraft type that meets this experience is listed in your resume along with total hours Pilot in Command (PIC), PIC time for the preceding 12 months, and total hours spent as PIC for wildlife damage or similar operations.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.
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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
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.
  • Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
  • Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.
  • This position involves Mobile Work: Mobile work is characterized by routine and regular travel to conduct work in customer or other worksites as opposed to a single authorized alternative worksite. Examples of mobile work include site audits, site inspections, investigations, property management, and work performed while commuting, traveling between worksites, or on Temporary Duty (TDY).

Expand Hide additional information
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
Help
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.