POSITION

• GS-2181-13 Supervisory Airplane Pilot

SALARY

• $103,409.00 to $134,435.00 per Annum 

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

selected. 

PROGRAM AREA

• Plant Protection and Quarantine, Field Ops 

DUTY LOCATION

• Mission, TX

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full-time

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT

• Permanent

NUMBER OF VACANCIES

• 1 

TRAVEL REQUIRED

• Extensive travel may be required.

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.

• Must have a current and valid driver’s license. 

• 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/

WHO MAY APPLY

Non-competitive Hiring Authorities. Veterans – VRA or 30% or More Disabled Veterans

OVERVIEW

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

agricultural animal and plant health, regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the Animal 
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Safeguarding American Agriculture

APHIS is an agency of USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

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 plant 

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

in the field to stop invasive species from harming our nation’s agriculture.

As an employee of the Aircraft and Equipment Operations Unit based at Mission, Texas, the incumbent will 

operate light category single and multi-engine aircraft including models with conventional landing gear and 

perform related duties to support agricultural flying activities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operates Agency aircraft to supervise contract aerial application programs.

• Plans, with the program manager and PPQ pilots, the layout of treatment blocks and direction of flight 

lines.

• Supervises a staff of 5-6 Pilots, Aircraft Mechanics, and Laborers, and has full supervisory responsibility for 

all activities related to the use of aircraft and for establishing priorities relative to flight activities and 

maintenance.

• Develops and supervises a system of scheduling, controlling, and monitoring aircraft operations that is 

consistent with program needs.

• Utilizes guidelines to conduct acceptance inspections for aircraft, pilots, and support equipment used to 

carry out pest control programs under contract to the Government.

• Calibrates the aircraft to assure an accurate application rate per acre.

• Operates Agency aircraft as required to conduct research and development tests for applying agricultural 

chemicals and delivering biological control specimens such as sterile fruit flies.

• Contacts the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to brief them on programs involving treatment of 

cities, towns, or other congested areas.

• Writes detailed technical information for PPQ manuals and to support formal contracting for aircraft 

services to fulfill PPQ program needs.

• Provides leadership and training for PPQ pilots and field personnel relative to application equipment, 

calibration, and guidance techniques for agricultural aircraft activities.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• 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: 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. 

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. 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 
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Safeguarding American Agriculture

APHIS is an agency of USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

appropriate. Other certificates that meet or exceed the requirements of the Commercial Pilot Certificate 

are also acceptable, e.g., an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.

• 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 particular 

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. For inservice placements actions, up to one-fourth of the total 

flight hours may by waived for candidates who have demonstrated possession of the knowledge 

and skills needed to perform the work, provided:

o They hold the certificates and ratings required;

o They have acquired the pilot-in-command hours and flight hours in other categories essential 

to performance of the work;

o They meet the requirements in terms of level and quality of experience; and

o Their flying history indicates they are qualified for the position.

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

3. Night Flying -- For inservice 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 -- Required only for positions that involve flying. The flight hours 

specified apply to competitive appointments. For inservice placement actions, up to one-half of 

the flight hours may be waived provided the individual's total background reflects the ability to 

perform the duties of the position safely. For positions flying both helicopters and airplanes, at 

least one-fourth of the total hours must be in either category of aircraft.

• Flight Hours Requirements

Category GS-11 and above

1. Total Flight Time 1500

2. Pilot-In-Command 250

3. Night Flying 75

4. Flying Time, Last 12 months 100

• 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.
4 

Safeguarding American Agriculture

APHIS is an agency of USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

HOW TO APPLY

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

the Position Title and Location 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.

• Must submit a copy of Transcripts if qualifying with education or if education is a requirement for basic 

qualification as listed in qualifications section. Transcripts can be unofficial but, if selected, candidates will 

be required to submit official transcripts before start date.

Equal Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Privacy Act