What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Lead Fixed Wing Pilot position at State of Florida- Military Affairs?
Requisition No: 873123
Agency: Military Affairs
Working Title: Assistant Lead Fixed Wing Pilot - 62000477
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 62000477
Salary: Up to $110,000
Posting Closing Date: 04/21/2026
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FLORIDA STATE GUARD
*** OPEN COMPETITIVE***
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 11:59 p.m. on closing date
VACANCY # 62000477
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:
- New employees of the Florida State Guard will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screening.
- New employees of the Florida State Guard are required to participate in a direct deposit/electronic transfer program.
- The Florida State Guard is paid on a monthly basis.
- 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:
- FAA Commercial Pilot License (or higher) – ASEL & AMEL - CFI, CFII, MEI, & Instrument Ratinga
- Current FAA Class II Medical Certificate (or higher as required)
- Minimum 2000 fixed wing flight hours
- Experience in mission-oriented aviation (military, law enforcement, SAR, EMS, or disaster response)
- Strong knowledge of aviation safety standards and procedures
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist the Lead Fixed Wing Pilot in overseeing all fixed-wing flight operations
- Serve as Pilot-in-Command (PIC) or Co-Pilot for assigned missions
- Support mission planning, including route analysis, risk assessment, and crew coordination
- Ensure compliance with FAA regulations, state policies, and FSG aviation SOPs
- Help supervise, mentor, and evaluate assigned pilots and aircrew
- Coordinate with ground units, emergency management, and interagency partners
- Assist in maintaining aircraft readiness, safety inspections, and documentation
- Participate in training exercises, drills, and real-world emergency deployments
- Step into Lead Fixed Wing Pilot duties when required
- Performs maintenance test flights and maintenance operational checks as required.
- Maintains aircraft to FSG and FAA regulations, policies, requirements and standards as required within the agency.
- Performs mission tasking, intelligence reporting, and application of weather information..
- Performs aircraft preflight inspections, aircraft loading, equipment assessments, and mission manning.
- Operates aircraft controls and equipment.
- Assists in developing plans and policies, monitoring operations, and advising commanders.
- Follows directives, regulations, accident reports, safety data, and local operating conditions to help determine unit safety program requirements.
- Coordinates with appropriate agencies to ensure compliance with all applicable safety regulations and programs.
- Conducts surveillance tactics, missions, or specific main-frame aircraft; or flies in various types of terrain, performing tactical remote site evaluation, landings on remote sites, ground and flight training, and night-vision operations and instruction.
- Reviews and complies with applicable service flight publications and directives for accuracy and currency.
- Maintains detailed Emergency and non-emergency plans and supplements for unit mobility, deployment, away from home station field operations/employment, and redeployment.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Experience in managing an aviation maintenance program
- Expert knowledge of aircraft maintenance procedures and regulatory requirements
- Experience in piloting and pilot skills in one or more of the following main-frame/military aircraft: Fixed-wing and/or Rotary-wing.
- Experienced in maintaining aircraft readiness to meet the FSG mission requirements.
- Experience in the recovery of aircraft that have been in an accident or has executed a precautionary landing off site due to a maintenance issue.
- Experience in maintaining aircraft that are certificated by the FAA.
- Proven ability to manage scheduled and unscheduled maintenance effectively.
- Experienced in the aviation unit quality control management programs; plus, skilled in the unit flying, explosive, and ground safety programs (tool management, inventory control, etc.) in accordance with Federal, state, and local guidelines.
- Knowledge of flight theory, air navigation, meteorology, flying directives, aircraft operating procedures, and mission tactics.
- Ability to cancel flying activities, divert aircraft, dictate mission requirements, approve specific activities, coordinate for airport or airspace utilization with FAA, and/or direct emergency actions involving unit support agencies.
- Knowledge of weapons and tactics for applicable military aircraft. Experience with manned or unmanned aircraft. Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent analytical and management skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to maintain perspective during crisis-level incidents.
- Ability to assist with non-routine and unforeseen administrative tasks as a result of incidents, activations, or direction of leadership.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to plan, organize, direct work, and evaluate results and alternative strategies.
- Ability to be resourceful, act independently, and take action in situations that lack clear direction.
- Ability to understand, formulate, and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Ability to train others.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Operational and field-based aviation environment
- May involve extended hours, deployments, and austere conditions
- Requires physical and mental readiness for emergency response missions
- In-office position based in Lakeland, FL. Remote or Hybrid work is not authorized
- Up to 75% travel is required
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.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.
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.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.
Salary : $110,000