Lead Pilot

Final date to receive applications

11:59 p.m. on closing date

Lakeland, Florida

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.

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website.

• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Dental, Vision and Supplemental Insurance
• Vacation and Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Opportunities for Career Advancement
• Tuition Waiver for Public College Courses
• New employees of the Florida State Guard will be required to pass a pre‑employment drug screening.
• New employees of the Florida State Guard are required to participate in a direct deposit/electronic transfer program.
• The Florida State Guard is paid on a monthly basis.
• 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.

• 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
• 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.

• 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,…