Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command

AIRCRAFT LOADMASTER (INSTRUCTOR)

March AFB, California $71957 - $103006 PA GS Closes Oct 23, 2026

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Summary

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.

Major 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).

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming. 1. Online Application: Questionnaire 2. Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply". Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license. Veterans: If claiming VEOA, VRA or 30% Disabled Veteran - Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD-Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge). This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD-Form 214. If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces. NOTE: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15. Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, AND a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held if different from your recent SF-50. The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1". Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2". Promotion Consideration: If you wish to be considered as a promotion candidate and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirements. You will need to provide additional SF-50s which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-Grade, Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old). ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD-Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD-Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following: Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member Branch of Armed Forces Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s) Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty Terminal leave start date (if applicable) Expected character of service (honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement) Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander. Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form-214 must be submitted upon receipt. OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS: Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Awards for Current Federal Civilian employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume. Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).

How to Apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/23/2026. To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13084374 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.