Summary

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), in the BPA Aircraft Services (TAA) organization of Transmission Chief of Staff (TA), Transmission Services (T).

We are seeking an expert Lead Flight Instructor for Bell 407 helicopters and drones. You will train and evaluate our pilots and instructors, develop advanced flight manuals and safety procedures, and lead critical missions in challenging environments to support the Northwest's power grid.

Duties

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1. Lead and Mentor a High-Caliber Flight Team - Instruct and evaluate our dedicated team of FAA-certified helicopter and drone pilots. You will oversee flight techniques, conduct in-flight proficiency exams, and provide the advanced mentorship that ensures our pilots operate at peak performance levels.
2. Pilot Advanced Helicopters in Challenging Terrains - Take the controls as Pilot-in-Command of the Bell 407 helicopter. You will fly specialized utility missions across the diverse Pacific Northwest-from low-level power line patrols to navigating complex, high-altitude mountain environments and variable weather conditions.
3. Sustain and Expand our Drone Program - You will design training curricula, oversee remote pilot certifications, plan drone missions, and leverage high-resolution aerial data to support environmental research and infrastructure inspections.
4. Master Precision Aerial Utility Operations - Execute and teach highly specialized utility maneuvers. You will train pilots in precision external cargo transportation, vertical-reference long-line placements of materials in tight spots, and tactical operations near high-voltage utility structures.
5. Design Modern, High-Impact Aviation Curriculums - Formulate classroom and in-flight training programs. You will develop lessons covering critical topics like crew resource management, emergency procedures, hazard mitigation, and flying safely in low-altitude wire environments.
6. Author and Define Flight Safety Manuals - Pioneer safety and operating procedures by developing and updating BPA's flight, operations, and hazard-mitigation manuals.
7. Guide Crew Progression and Career Advancement - Act as a key decision-maker in our pilot pipeline. You will assess new hires during orientation, run flight exams, and make critical crew assignment recommendations to leadership, directly shaping who advances to Pilot-in-Command.
8. Coordinate Mission Operations with Regional Partners - Collaborate with dispatchers, safety officers, and transmission line maintenance crews. You will lead pre- and post-flight safety briefings and build integrated daily flight plans to ensure all operations run safely, smoothly, and efficiently.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration

When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically. You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully.

Key Requirements:

• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
• You will be required to report in person to the official duty location.

Conditions of Employment:

• This position requires a valid driver's license as a condition of employment.
• This position requires an initial drug test prior to appointment and random drug or drug and alcohol testing thereafter. Failure to test or a positive result on random drug or drug and alcohol tests conducted after appointment may result in removal from Federal employment.
• After employment, this position may be subject to periodic physical examinations, as prescribed by competent medical authority and at BPA expense, if exposed to health hazards.
• A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• This position does not support remote work. You will be required to report physically to the official reporting worksite as specified by the supervisor, but no less than 3 days per pay period.
• Must be able to pass an EKG (electrocardiogram) before entry into the position and annually thereafter.
• Obtain (prior to the closing date of this announcement) and maintain a first-class or second-class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations.
• Must complete training for and obtain a FAA Remote Pilot Certificate within six months of appointment.

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the individual occupational requirements for positions in the 2181 series, you must also meet a selective placement factor (screen-out); both requirements will be used to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

You MUST provide a copy of your current ATP or helicopter commercial certificate with appropriate endorsement, medical certificate and sufficient documentation (e.g., copy of Log Book) to show proof you meet the requirements stated below. Failure to provide supporting documentation by the closing date may result in disqualification; your application will be marked incomplete.

The individual occupational requirements and selective placement factor for this position are as follows:

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Helicopter certificate or Commercial pilot license with rotorcraft helicopter ratings and/or appropriate military rating.
• FAA Flight Instructor Certificate or the military equivalent rating.

Minimum Flight Hour Requirements:

1. 1500 Total Flight Hours (as pilot-in-command or copilot in an aircraft of any weight or category (1,125 for eligible current federal employees)
2. 250 helicopter flight hours as Pilot-in-Command.
3. 75 Night Flying (25 hours may be waived for eligible current federal employees)
4. 100 Flying Time in the Last 12 Months (50 hrs for eligible current federal employees)
5. 500 Helicopter Instructor Hours

Other requirements for Helicopter:

• Possess and maintain an FAA First or Second Class Medical Certificate
• Pilot Certificate must state "English Proficient".
• FAA External-Load Operator Certificate (Class B)
• FAA External-Load Operator Certificate (Class C)
• Must complete training for and obtain a FAA Remote Pilot Certificate within six months of appointment.
• This position is subject to initial and random drug and alcohol testing.

Candidates establishing eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot, flight instructor, or flight examiner, as appropriate.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.

Additional information

• The salary is based on a Special Rate Table, Number 0764: https://apps.opm.gov/SpecialRates/
• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.