AIRCRAFT LOADMASTER (INSTRUCTOR)

Summary This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) position. ARTs are part of the regular career civil service and enjoy all the benefits granted to Federal employees in the competitive civil service.

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. Duties The primary purpose of this position is: as an Air Reserve Technician (ART) and the sole enlisted aircrew member, to provide ground and flight training instruction for developing, upgrading, and evaluating the skills of loadmaster aircrew members; assist the pilot in the operation of the aircraft; perform loadmaster duties on assigned missions; accomplish required flight engineering duties; and perform related staff support duties.

• Provides ground and flight training instruction for developing, upgrading, and evaluating the skills of loadmaster aircrew members. Provides oversight for loadmaster operations and perform aircrew loadmaster instructor duties at the Formal Training Unit (FTU).
• Assist the pilot in the operation of the aircraft; perform loadmaster duties on assigned missions. Conducts flight and ground training which develops, upgrades, and evaluates the skills of loadmaster aircrew members.
• Accomplishes preflight inspection of aerospace ground equipment and applies external power to the aircraft. Accomplishes pre-flight inspection of the aircraft and cargo/airdrop systems according to flight manual procedures.
• Develops a plan, coordinates requirements, directs personnel, and executes activities in support of Contingency Response Team (CRT) airlift operations. Determines cargo restrains requirements according to criteria and directs and checks the application of cargo restraint equipment.
• Computes and completes aircraft weight and balance documentation either manually or electronically. Visually monitors aircraft clearances (interior and exterior), identifies proximal threats to the aircraft and initiates corrective actions (aircraft scanning).

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants will be rated in accordance with the FPM 930-71 Recruitment of Air Reserve Technicians through Competitive Examination (ART Agreement)-SUPPLEMENTAL QUALIFICATION POLICY, DATED 6-OCT-2017. No specific length of experience is required. The qualifications of loadmasters in the Air Force are directly related to the completion of prerequisite training rather than years of experience. Applicants for all positions must have logged the minimum number of hours indicated below in the performance of Aircraft Loadmaster duties.

Applicants must have been qualified as Aircraft Loadmaster within 8 YEARS of the date of application.Applicants for instructor or examiner positions must be within the past 8 YEARS instructor or examiner qualified in the specific type of aircraft.

Aircraft Loadmaster (Instructor) GS-2185-09: Must have been awarded or qualify for a CEA AFSC and hold a valid aviation service aeronautical order. Must be currently qualified as Instructor in MDS and have a minimum of 500 Total Military Flight Time.

Aircraft Loadmaster GS-2185-10: Must have been awarded or qualify for a CEAAFSC and hold a valid aviation service aeronautical order. Must be currently qualified as Instructor in MDS and have a minimum of 500 Total Military Flight Time.

FEDERALTIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.

GS-09 - One year at the GS-08 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

GS-10 - One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-10 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Knowledge of systems and equipment associated with the cargo function, including operation of doors, loading ramps, cargo winches, restraint rail systems, and assigned passenger/cargo compartment systems, such as oxygen, lighting, interphone, auxiliary power unit, crew or passenger required items, and emergency procedures, evacuation routes and use of survival equipment.
2. Knowledge of aircraft capacity and limitations, including floor load restrictions, shoring and restraint requirements, and use of load charts and graphs; procedures for handling and placement of hazardous cargo; preparing containers and pallets for airdrop; and configuring for personnel airdrops. Knowledge of the methods of instruction, aircrew trammg program requirements, procedures, and standards of performance; and skill to apply this knowledge in planning, developing and executing unit training/evaluation programs.
3. Skill to direct crews in loading according to weight and balance factors, cargo destination, emergency jettison plans, and use ofrigging extraction systems for aerial delivery mission. Skill to perform preflight checks and inspections.
4. Knowledge of a wide variety of systems and components critical to the performance of the aircraft such as propulsion, electrical, hydraulic, environmental, etc.
5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to prepare lessons, documents and reports, present training/instruction, and brief passengers and crews.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS:

1. This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) position. The incumbent is required to meet and maintain Air Force Reserve requirements. Work schedule will be aligned to allow incumbent to fully participate in unit training assemblies. The incumbent's regular assignments are ART duties; however, the incumbent may be assigned some non-ART duties, generally not to exceed 30 percent of total responsibilities.
2. Must attain and maintain mission-ready status at the appropriate crew qualification level in the unit's assigned aircraft. Periodically, as prescribed by regulations, must take and pass written and in-flight standardization/evaluation examinations to include random no-notice evaluations.
3. The incumbent is exposed to physiological hazards of flight plus physical and psychological demands of routine lengthy missions (up to 26 hours duration), must work in confined, hazardous noise areas, is subject to inclement weather during ground operations and dangerous environmental conditions during flight, and may operate in austere location.
4. May be required to travel in military and commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
5. Must be instructor qualified, maintaining proficiency in the Principles of instruction.
6. May be required to maintain flight examiner qualification. Periodically, as prescribed by regulations, must take and pass written and in-flight standardization/ evaluation examinations to include random no-notice evaluations.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) position. ARTs are eligible for 15 days active duty tour each year for which military leave is granted with full civilian pay. Air Reserve units and members; are subject to immediate call to active duty in mobilization to meet a national emergency. For additional information regarding ART positions and/or military qualifications, please call 1-800-257-1212. Retired military are usually ineligible for membership in the AF Reserve. Retired military that have active AF Reserve assignments may apply provided they show assignment (position) on the application. A military service member's statement of service/certification will be accepted IF a terminal leave form or DD214 cannot be provided. The statement/certification should indicate member's separation from active duty is within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. It must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin, your rank, dates of active-duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave.

Individuals selected for ART positions must meet both civilian qualifications and uniformed military requirements. In addition to meeting civilian qualifications, applicants must obtain military membership in the Air Force Reserve, wear the uniform, maintain job-specific military specialty requirements, and meet other military qualifications such as age, height, weight, and physical fitness standards. For more information click here and speak with an Air Force Reserve Recruiter.Education OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS CONT.

7. Required to maintain proficiency in the use of firearms. As prescribed by regulation, may be required to carry and use a concealed weapon while performing aircrew related duties.
8. The position requires good judgment, patience, tact, and desire to instruct. This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position. May be required to perform duties of sky marshal.
9. This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
10. Incentive for Student Loan Repayment Program may be offered.
11. Incentive for prior non-federal work experience or active-duty uniformed service for determining leave accrual rate may be authorized upon request.

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.How you will be evaluated Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume. How to apply The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/04/2026.

To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13104232

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp.

• Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here.
• For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume.
• Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy.
• Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume.

2. A complete Application Questionnaire
3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name.
4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here.

PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant. Other information Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected, and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.