Government Flyng Jobs

[ShoreFlyer]

Anybody have info on federal govt flying jobs...The only info I can find is that you already have to be a federal worker to get these jobs....Anybody have experiences with this ? And I am talking in Customs, FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, etc....not military

 

[ShoreFlyer]

anybody ???

 

[DesertFalcon]

Anybody have info on federal govt flying jobs...The only info I can find is that you already have to be a federal worker to get these jobs....Anybody have experiences with this ? And I am talking in Customs, FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, etc....not military

Try this website: www.usajobs.com

 

[dudemize]

Keep in mind that when applying for some of the jobs you listed, you are a law enforcement officer first and pilot second. For example for the FBI (and Customs too) you have to attend a 16 week law enforcement academy to be qualified as a Special Agent and agree to be sent wherever they want although you do get to fill out a "dream" sheet. From what I understand a C-182 would be about the most glamorous thing you would fly, and that would be a very small part of the time. Personally I think it would be an exciting job but after researching the possibility I was informed that you cannot be a member of the Reserves, so that ended it for me. Go to https://www.fbijobs.com/jobdesc.asp?requisitionid=368 and you can read all about being a special agent. There is an area of the online app where you can enter your flying experience.

A couple buddies in my squadron interviewed with Customs but haven't heard back yet. They both had prior military helo experience.

 

[ShoreFlyer]

I have checked out the USA jobs. Not much there. was curious about the pilots flying at Customs..Saw some supervisory pilot jobs that were open only to current federal employees..Paying upwards of $ 110,000.00 a year...

Anyone have info about FAA safety inspectors ? Theres a posting for them, but only pay upwards of 68k a year..but in talking to some they seem to make a lot more...Would like info on locality pay, benefits, retirement plan, do they get a car ? how it works etc..Any info great appreciated.

 

[dudemize]

I don't think Customs hires any of their supervisory pilot positions off the street. I'll bet all of them are existing customs pilots who worked their way up the chain. Customs flies helos and fixed wing. They have king airs, cheyennes, and some citations I think. I think most of the flying is border patrol type stuff and tracking drug runners, sounds kinda cool. Keep in mind that you are still a law enforcement officer and would be participating in drug raids and the like, not just flying around all the time. From the website: "In your drug enforcement role you may find yourself moving from the relatively safe confines of an airplane one minute, to the risks involved in a tactical ground operation the next."

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/infrequent_importer_info/logical_pages/careers/descriptions/aviation_enforcement.xml

On the right is a link for the basic pilot qualifications.

I noticed at usajobs that they are hiring pilot trainees but only for current Border Partrol Agents so sounds like they want you to work your way up through the ranks. Seems like a great deal for someone with no flight time as they will pay for your flight training. Read the job posting here:

http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=23869575&AVSDM=2004%2D08%2D31+22%3A54%3A49&Logo=0&col=dltc&cy=&brd=3876&lid=&fn=&q=

 

[ShoreFlyer]

Thanx for the link..From what I am reading it looks like nobody is hiring pilots "off the street" into customs and other law enforcement ?

Agree ?

Or am I just missing the job posting ?

 

[pilot_guy]

sucking on the gov't t*t.

Looking at going that route myself...but I don't mind being LE and a pilot. Still naive and idealistic, and want to "make a difference".

Customs (now ICE) will hire off the street pilots. Gotta have 1500TT and 500multi. No waivers for this, trust me, I've looked. Get in your time and apply...

Border Patrol...no off the street pilots, period. If you get in, be prepared to "work the road" for a few years, unless as stated in an earlier post, a "pilot trainee" slot opens. If not, it takes awhile till new pilot slots open, and again, only current Border Patrol Agents are hired.

Most jobs of this type require either a: practical LE experience, or b: a four-year degree. Customs is by far the best (and in most cases), and only bet for a guy trying to break into gov't flying it seems.

Other agencies to try would be U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service. I applied with US FWS and the only thing that screwed me was that I didn't have a degree or the practical LE experience. So, if you have four years in school from somewhere, they'll take you "off the street".

You might have luck searching for state gov't jobs as well, flying as game warden or the state police.

Good luck, and message me if you have any questions.

 

[FlyingToIST]

VT

Dudemize,
when did you get out of Hokieland? A Hokie myself..

Cheers..

 

[dudemize]

I got my Master's there, graduated in 1996. I love Blacksburg, want to move back there someday. What about you? I'll make it down there for a couple games this fall.

 

[FlyingToIST]

I got my Master's there, graduated in 1996. I love Blacksburg, want to move back there someday. What about you? I'll make it down there for a couple games this fall.

I got out of there in 97 with a degree in ECON. I was dying to get out there but I am missing those simple days. I am located in SEA now, and it 's a long flight to get to BCB for a game? Did you ever fly out of BCB?

that's where I got the bug ...

 

[ShoreFlyer]

Anybody know how to get into Customs or US Marshals service for flying? Do they only hire agents within ? Curious how these guys get flight time if they are LE agents for a few years before they are able to apply for pilot jobs.

 

[FN FAL]

Hey shore flyer, as a Virginia native, I'm glad to see someone that has something positive to say about living in Virginia.

Don't overlook state flight departments either. I did apply once for the Wisconsin state aviation flight department. They hire in a rather fickle government manner. It seems that you have to go through a lot of things that don't apply to aviation before you even get down to discussing flying qualifications.

When I initially went down to see the Chief pilot with a resume, he remembered that as a charter pilot I flew contract flights for them. Which is kind of funny, since every state person I flew, enjoyed the work I perfomed and handed me a business card and a promise of a recomendation. But anyway, the Chief tells me he CAN'T hire anybody...they all have to go through the government hiring office.

I submitted a resume to them and eventually I got an application package. But by then I was flying for the FedEx Feeders, which in my mind is about as close as you can get to flying for the Government without all the beauracracy. Plus, the news at that time was the Democrat Governor wanted to sell all the planes and contract out the work...so it looked a little shakey.

I would think with your experience you would be welcome at any state flight department...especially the bigger ones.

Sorry I can't help you out any better than that, but good luck! I hope you find the position that makes you happy.

P.S. the chief of this state flight department at the time, was an ex regional pilot.

 

[jacko123]

What is the GS pay scale breakdown and retirement package? What Is the day of a cusoms pilot like? Do you actually get on the ground and pursue some of these drug runners, or do you just sit back while someone else see's the action? Does an FFDO count as LE experience?

 

[dudemize]

ShoreFlyer,

From what I got out of the job posting, there was no requirement for current Border Patrol Agents to have ANY flight time. The posting said the training would be provided. That is why I thought it was such a good deal. Decent salary and free flight training! Read through the job listing above.

 

[dudemize]

FlyingToIST,

Yes I flew out of BCB several times, actually thats where I did my Private checkride. I have some buddies in Northern Virginia that road trip down there 3 or 4 times a year. I tag along as much as I can. I really enjoyed the rural setting, tubing in the river, hiking, etc. Can't forget the wings at Sharkey's either!

 

[experten]

If you go to usajobs.opm.gov and do search under series 2181 you will see most of the pilot jobs. I work for the forest service as an aircraft dispatcher, so that is mostly what I know. Most of our pilots fly on contracts, and are employed by whatever part 135 operator has the contract. This is true of most of the recon flights we hire as well as some of the air attack firefighting aircraft. ALL of the airtankers are contractors, except at the state level. Our leadplane pilots are federal employees. In my area they are all former military and mostly from the same reserve squadron. We also operate jumpships (smokejumpers), survey aircraft, photo aircraft, etc. I know of at least one very experienced, very capable pilot that flies a C-206 for us that is a seasonal employee. No benefits, no retirement, layed off every winter.

 

[pilot_guy]

why not call someone and ask?

Like I said in my earlier post...Custom's is the only place hiring off the street pilot and making them agents. Requirements are 1500TT and 500multi. No exceptions.

Not hard to find out, if you just pick up a phone, or better yet, visit a wing. I was fortunate to have one in my area, and spent an afternoon talking with the pilots.

Still a gov't job, with all the bullsh*t that entails was the basic line I was given, but some days are better than others, and you have job security.

Better still, gotta be under 37 at time of hire, cause you have mandatory retirement at 57. Don't forget you have like 16 weeks of ballbusting training at Glynco, GA. If you're in decent shape, it should be no problem.

Have fun...

 

[ShoreFlyer]

Where is the Customs job posting for pilots ?

 

[FlyingToIST]

FlyingToIST,

Yes I flew out of BCB several times, actually thats where I did my Private checkride. I have some buddies in Northern Virginia that road trip down there 3 or 4 times a year. I tag along as much as I can. I really enjoyed the rural setting, tubing in the river, hiking, etc. Can't forget the wings at Sharkey's either!

My first flight was with this Dutch lady and then flew couple of times with Roger.
But I didn't have $$$ so I had to wait until I got out of college, moved to NoVA and got all my ratings in HEF at Dulles Aviation.

One thing is for sure, I still miss the Sharkey's wings.. I travel all around US for business and I still have to find a reastaurant that has the wings as cheap yet as tasty as Sharkey's..