POSITION

• GS-2181-11.12 Airplane Pilot

SALARY

• GS-11 $72,553.00 to $94,317.00

• GS-12 $86, 962.00 to $113,047.00

*Salary will be based on the grade appointed to.

*New Hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the

grade selected.

*Pay Rates based on 2024 Pay Scale. 

PROGRAM AREA

• Plant Protection and Quarantine, Field Operations, Aircraft and Equipment Operations

DUTY LOCATION

• Mission, TX

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full-time

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT

• Permanent

NUMBER OF VACANCIES

• One (1)

TRAVEL REQUIRED

• Recurring travel for training and work assignments.

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a US Citizen or US National.

• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.

• Successful completion of one-year trial period or probationary period as applicable.

• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments

made by direct deposit to their financial institution.

• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.

• 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/
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WHO MAY APPLY

Non-competitive Hiring Authorities. Veterans – VRA or 30% or More Disabled Veterans, Schedule A (persons with 

disabilities), Military Spouses, Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteer.

OVERVIEW

APHIS is a multi-faceted Agency with a broad mission area that includes protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural 

health, regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the Animal Welfare Act and carrying out 

wildlife damage management activities. These efforts support the overall mission of USDA, which is to protect and 

promote food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues.

Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) is a program within APHIS which safeguards U.S. agriculture and natural 

resources against the entry, establishment, and spread of economically and environmentally significant pests, and 

facilitates the safe trade of agricultural products. Join our team and gain valuable experience working in the field 

to stop this invasive species from harming our nation’s agriculture.

In this position you will serve as an Airplane Pilot and operating light category single and multi-engine airplanes at 

low altitudes and speeds, conducting research and development testing and dispensing biological control 

specimens, such as sterile insects, over designated areas (including unfavorable terrain) throughout the United 

States, and performs related duties to support agricultural flying activities. The work includes extensive travel 

assignments.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operates special purpose PPQ aircraft along specified electronically generated flight lanes and operates 

special purpose equipment to dispense sterile insects over designated areas throughout the United 

States, while communicating with various Air Traffic Control facilities.

• Pilots aircraft as required to conduct research and development tests for applying agricultural chemicals 

and delivering biological control specimens at low altitudes and minimum controllable speeds.

• Prepares maps of designated geographical areas using specialized computer hardware and software to 

include Global Information System programs using various formats of latitude and longitude coordinates, 

downloads, and uploads flight data to program computers and onboard precision guidance systems and 

prepares daily flight records and required reports.

• Coordinates both ground and flight activities with program, aircraft, and equipment personnel to ensure 

that program objectives and schedules are accomplished in an efficient and timely manner and operates 

and monitors special purpose insect release machines and flight data recording and navigation systems. 

• Prevents preventive maintenance on and the cleaning of PPQ-owned airplanes and special purpose 

equipment assigned to the program.

QUALIFICATION 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.

• Candidates must possess a current Commercial Pilot Certificate or the appropriate military rating; both 

meet the intent of the requirement. Candidates establishing eligibility based on military flight experience 

must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot. Other 

certificates that meet or exceed the requirements of the Commercial Pilot certificate are also acceptable, 

e.g., an Airline Transport Pilot certificate.
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• Flight Experience: Candidates must demonstrate possession of the knowledge and skills required for the 

work by meeting certain minimum flight hour requirements, including recency of flight experience. The 

categories in which candidates are required to demonstrate proficiency relate to (1) the general 

knowledge and skills to pilot the aircraft, and (2) the specific knowledge and skills related to the position 

being filled. Only that flight experience that is directly related to the work of the position is required for 

purposes of establishing minimum eligibility.

• Minimum Flight Hour Requirements: The following flight hour requirements apply to all applicants:

1. Total Flight Time - Flight time as pilot-in-command or copilot in aircraft of any weight or category is 

creditable for this requirement. At the GS-11 level and above, the minimum flight hours is 1500 

hours, and at least 10 of the required hours must have been logged in actual instrument weather. 

2. Pilot-In-Command - Only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable. The minimum 

Pilot-in-command flight hours is 250 hours. 

3. Flying Time, Last 12 Months – A minimum of 100 hours flying time in the last 12 months is required.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• At the time of initial appointment, candidates for all pilot positions must possess a current first or secondclass medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations; both meet the intent of the requirement.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are required to submit the following items for consideration PPQ.Recruitment@usda.gov. Please list 

the Position Title in the subject line.

• Applicants are required to submit the following items for consideration.

• Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 

3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work 

schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other 

qualifications or certifications; and 5) supervisors name and phone number for each work period listed 

and whether or not they may be contacted for reference checks.

• When claiming Veterans' preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, 

which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you 

must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active-duty service under honorable 

conditions within 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.

• Disabled Veterans must also submit a VA Disability Letter (if applicable) for verification of serviceconnected disability.

• Schedule A candidates must include a Schedule A Letter for eligible disabled persons. To be eligible for 

Schedule A, you must provide a proof of a disability letter stating that you have an intellectual disability, 

severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability. You can get this letter from your doctor, a licensed 

medical professional, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist or any federal, state, or local agency 

that issues or provides disability benefits. Letter must be on office Letterhead.

• Military Spouses must provide a copy of: Spouse ID card, Copy of Active-Duty spouses military orders, and 

marriage certificate.

• Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteers must provide their NCE letter.

• Must submit a copy of Transcripts if qualifying with education as listed in qualifications section. 

Transcripts can be unofficial but, if selected, candidates will be required to submit official transcripts 

before start date.

• Flight Qualification Documents must be provided with application: 1) current Commercial Pilot Certificate 

or the appropriate military rating; 2) Candidates establishing eligibility based on military flight experience 

must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot; 3) Other 

certificates that meet or exceed the requirements of the Commercial Pilot certificate are also acceptable, 
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e.g., an Airline Transport Pilot certificate; 4) candidates for all pilot positions must possess a current first 

or second-class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations.

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