Drone Pilot In Command Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Summary
Direct hiring authority for the 2181 series is being used to fill this position. Public Notices serve as a resume repository, and positions may or may not be filled from this announcement.
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Duties
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You have the opportunity to fly for a unique government organization with multiple missions that keep our country and our economy moving. It's more than just flying airplanes. The safety and integrity of our national airspace system depend on the work that we do each day. From routine inspections of ground-based navigational aids to commissioning new equipment at airports around the U.S. and across the globe - we keep America and our military moving in all weather conditions. We train more than 700 FAA pilots/inspectors annually, which supports the FAA's oversight of the aviation industry. We conduct research, development, test, and evaluation missions with cutting-edge avionics technology and flight test new procedures to ensure they are safe to fly by the public. Finally, we conduct transportation and critical event response missions to support other government agencies and the American public in times of need.
We are a part 135 certificate holder with office locations in Arlington, Virginia; Kennesaw, Georgia; Atlantic City, New Jersey; Battle Creek, Michigan; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Fort Worth, Texas; Sacramento, California; and Anchorage, Alaska. As government employees, Flight Program Operations pilots enjoy great work schedules and benefits. To get a behind-the-scenes look at our operation, read the FAA Safety Briefing September/October 2022 issue.
Be a part of something greater and join our FAA Flight Program Operations team.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
• Successful completion of a security investigation may be required.
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• Please review the Additional Information and Required Documents section.

Qualifications
Eligible candidates will be evaluated based on their responses within the application package and Supplemental Qualifications Statement, FAA Form 3330-47-3 ASIP (10/98).
Minimum Eligibility Requirements: 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: All applicants must possess either a valid Commercial pilot certificate with airplane, multi-engine land AND instrument ratings OR an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with multi-engine land rating. *Selected candidates without an ATP certificate will be required to successfully complete the ATP written exam within 60 days of appointment.* In addition, all applicants must possess either a valid first or second-class medical certificate. *Selected candidates must obtain a first class medical certificate prior to appointment.*
TOTAL FLIGHT TIME - 1500 Hours
Flight time as a pilot in command or copilot in aircraft of any weight or category is creditable for this requirement. For in-service placement actions, up to one-fourth of the total flight hours may be waived for candidates who have demonstrated possession of the knowledge and skills needed to perform the work, provided: 1) applicant holds the required certificates and ratings; 2) applicant has acquired the pilot-in-command hours and flight hours in other categories essential to performance of the work; 3) applicant meets the requirements in terms of level and quality of experience; and 4) applicant's flying history indicates they are qualified for the position.
PILOT-IN-COMMAND TIME - 250 Hours
Only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable.
NIGHT FLYING TIME - 75 Hours
For in-service placement actions, 25 hours may be waived if the applicant demonstrates the ability to perform the work.
FLYING TIME, LAST 12 MONTHS - 100 Hours
For in-service placement actions, up to one-half of the flight hours may be waived provided the applicant's total background reflects the ability to perform the duties of the position safely. NOTE: Flight time in an FAA approved level C or D full flight simulator is creditable towards meeting the recency of flight experience. If applicable, applicant must document time in the Airplane PIC or SIC blocks of the Total in Last 12 Months section of the FAA Form 3330-47-3.
MULTIENGINE AIRPLANE TIME - 500 Hours
Experience may have been in either light or heavy multi-engine airplanes.
INSTRUMENT TIME - 75 Hours
At least 10 of the required 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.
In order to verify your flight hours, applicants MUST provide FAA Form 3330-47-3. Click here to obtain a copy of the required form.
AND
Selective Placement Factor (SPF): To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP) and either a valid First or Second Class Medical Certificate. Selected candidates must obtain a First Class Medical Certificate prior to appointment.
NOTE: To qualify at the FV-J (FG-14) level, applicants must possess an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP) AND possess an Airspace Inspection Pilot (ASIP) Credential.
AND
In addition to the basic requirements, there may be specialized experience requirements at the next lower level for the position(s) being filled. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Applicants should include specialized experience in their Work History. Applicants may be asked to verify information on their application for employment with the FAA.
Education
KSA INFORMATION:
As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.
In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA), in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate.
Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA); Quality Ranking Factor(s) or Other Factors listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration.
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Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.
Additional information
We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements
This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. On-the-Spot will be used to fill this position. The 'Rule of Three', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. Applicants must apply on-line to receive consideration for this vacancy announcement. Faxed, mailed or emailed applications cannot be accepted. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.
2. Some, none, or all candidates may be interviewed.
3. Position(s) will be filled at the FV-I/J levels. If filled at the FV-I, this position has promotion potential to the FV-J. Identification of promotion in the vacancy announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation of management to promote the employee selected at a future date. Promotion depends upon meeting training/qualification requirements, etc.
4. This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about core compensation is available at the following website: https://www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/benefits.
5. Special rate pay for 2181 series employees will be set in accordance OPM Special Rate Tables: Special Rates - OPM.gov
6. If eligible, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) will be paid in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administrative Travel Policy.
7. This Public Notice will serve as a resume repository - positions may or may not be filled from this announcement.
This is not a bargaining unit position.
Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA
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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.
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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.