Job Description

Requisition No: 869916

Agency: Military Affairs

Working Title: Lead Pilot - 62000479

Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 62000479

Salary: Up to $122,500

Posting Closing Date: 03/09/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FLORIDA STATE GUARD

*** OPEN COMPETITIVE***

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 11:59 p.m. on closing date

VACANCY # 62000479

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:

1. New employees of the Florida State Guard will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screening.
2. New employees of the Florida State Guard are required to participate in a direct deposit/electronic transfer program.
3. The Florida State Guard is paid on a monthly basis.
4. 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.

This position is based in Lakeland, FL. Remote, Hybrid, and/or Telework are not authorized for this position. It reports to an office.

Travel: Up to 75% travel. All travel will comply with State of Florida travel policies.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Federal Aviation Administration certifications awarded from accredited civilian aviation programs OR must have aviation certifications from accredited military aviation schools:
  • Commercial Pilot
  • *Certified Flight Instructor
  • *Certified Flight Instructor Instrument
  • *Multi-Engine Airplane
  • *Multi-Engine Helicopter

*Notes military equivalent for a specific airframe may be substituted.

• Current or ability to maintain an FAA Class II medical certificate.
• In excess of 3000 hours of fixed-winged flight time:
• In excess of 100 hours NVG, any airframe
• At least two years of experience in instructing others in a specific airframe/military aircraft
• 7 years of experience working in a leadership position within a federal, state, or medium or large-sized aviation business
• Ability to deploy anywhere in Florida or the United States for a maximum of 28 days at a time.
  • Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop the policies and procedures associated with the Aviation Response Squadron. This will include, but not be limited to, the following areas:
  • Safety manuals and training documentation in accordance with current FAA regulations.
  • The Aviation activation policies and procedures for the Aviation Response Squadron
  • The policy and procedures for determining the size of the force to be activated
  • The policy and procedures for determining which state/local agencies will need to be augmented.
• Manage the Aviation Response Squadron. This will involve, but not be limited to, performing the following responsibilities:
  • Assigning workload and tasks to members of the Aviation Response Squadron
  • Creating the evaluation criteria for assessing the performance of Aviation Response Squadron members
  • Evaluating the performance of members of the Aviation Response Squadron
  • Recruiting new members of the Aviation Response Squadron as needed.
  • Ensuring activated members have appropriate and adequate equipment available
• Planning, developing, managing, and coordinating strategies related to the Florida State Guard Aviation Response Squadron and any Aviation components, training, or activities of the Florida State Guard.
• Serve as a pilot in support of conducting and completing FSG aviation missions and Mutual Aid Incidents
• Responsible for piloting state-owned and leased aircraft in support of the FSG
• Conduct regular preflight inspections of the aircraft before each use.
• Operate aircraft safely and effectively at all times in accordance with current FAA regulations, FSG policies, and procedures as outlined in the FSG Flight Manual and the aircraft manufacturer’s handbook.
• Respond to request for aerial platform for photography.
• Assist when requested for aerial search and rescue, tracking of individuals suspected of criminal activity and periodic aerial transportation of arrestees.
• Provide an aerial platform for security for state property, government officials, and dignitaries.
• Maintain aircraft in a clean, safe and fully operational state. Recognizing and reporting any and all required maintenance or repair needs of the aircraft.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of principles and techniques of the Federal Aviation Administration.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques for operating fixed and rotary-winged aircraft.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of effective emergency management activities.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of organizational leadership.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective verbal and written communication.
• Knowledge of basic management principles and practices.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Knowledge of policies and practices involved in the management of assigned personnel and demonstrated ability to supervise, motivate, develop, and direct people.
• Knowledge and understanding of communications and best practices.
• Knowledge of computer-based report preparation and strategic planning.
• Ability to operate desktop computer software and programs, maintaining databases and providing status reports as required.
• Ability and skill to communicate effectively and professionally with governmental organizations and stakeholders, including public speaking and writing reports for public dissemination.
• Ability and demonstrated skill in exercising good judgment in emergency/critical situations and ability to make decisions quickly.
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to travel and/or work in a field environment during disaster conditions when necessary.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects, tasking and/or priorities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others verbally and in writing.

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.

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.