Airplane Pilot

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).

Fly multi-engine turbine aircraft across the Pacific Northwest to support critical power grid missions. Join an elite aviation team where your precision flying powers energy infrastructure.

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Duties

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Take Flight on High-Impact Missions: Power the Pacific Northwest from the Flight Deck

At the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), our transmission network delivers approximately 80% of the electrical transmission capacity across the Pacific Northwest, spanning over 15,000 circuit miles and more than 150 substations. Keeping this vital energy lifeline operational and resilient requires rapid, precision air support across rugged terrain and demanding environments.

As an Airplane Pilot with BPA Aircraft Services, you will fly multi-engine turbine aircraft (such as Pilatus PC-24), you will serve as a linchpin for regional infrastructure reliability, transporting key agency leaders and technical specialists throughout the Pacific Northwest. If you are an accomplished aviator seeking a dynamic career that pairs exceptional pilot skills with public service impact, this role offers an unmatched flight deck experience.

Here are the key duties and operational highlights where your expertise will make a difference:

1. Command Multi-Engine Turbine Aircraft on Regional and International Routes: Serve as Pilot-in-Command (PIC) and Second-in-Command (SIC) operating commuter-category turbine aircraft. You will transport BPA leadership, engineers, and mission-essential personnel safely throughout the Pacific Northwest, other regions of the United States, and across international borders into Canada.
2. Exercise Flight Authority and Operational Risk Management: Act as the operational authority when acting as pilot-in-command. Evaluate weather, route efficiency, and aircraft systems to determine in-flight route changes or make the critical go/no-go safety call to continue, divert, or terminate a mission in alignment with safety policies.
3. Advanced Multi-Crew Cockpit Collaboration: Lead and support operations in a professional, dual-pilot crew environment utilizing modern Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles. Maintain open communications, precise task sharing, and mutual cross-checking to uphold the highest levels of safety and flight discipline.
4. Collaborate with Aircraft Maintenance: Leverage your systems knowledge to support fleet reliability and airworthiness. Work side-by-side with maintenance teams by providing precise operational write-ups, assisting with ground engine run-ups, and conducting functional check flights following aircraft servicing.

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 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.

Qualifications

Bonneville Power Administration applies 14 CFR Part 91 non-commercial regulations to the operation of BPA aircraft. Airplanes are maintained and operated; and pilots are trained in accordance with FAA regulation Part 91 and DOE approved Aviation Implementation Plan (AIP).

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. The selective placement factor for this position is a current Airline Transport Pilot (ATP). Applicants who do not meet both the individual occupational requirements and selective placement factor by the closing date will be found ineligible.

You MUST provide a copy of your current ATP, medical certificate and sufficient documentation (e.g., copy of Log Book) to show proof you meet all of 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:

• Possession of a FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with a Multi-Engine Land class rating.

Minimum Flight Hour Requirements:

1. 1,500 total flight hours.
2. 100 flight hours within the last twelve (12) months.
3. 250 airplane flight hours as Pilot-in-Command.
4. 500 flight hours multi-engine airplane, of which at least 250 flight hours are multi-engine airplane with max gross weight greater than 12,500 pounds.
5. 75 flight hours instrument flight time, of which at least 10 hours are actual IMC.
6. 75 flight hours Night time.

Other requirements:

• Must hold or be able to attain, within one year of hire, a type rating in a Pilatus PC-24.
• Possess and maintain an FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
• Pilot Certificate must state "English Proficient".
• 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:
• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE

EEO Policy : USAJOBS Help Center | Equal employment opportunity policy

Reasonable Accommodation Policy : Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement. USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy

Reasonable Accommodation for USAHire: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

Veterans Information : USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans

Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Telework :

Selective Service Registration : - Who must register:

Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.

BPA strives to ensure a safe and positive work environment.

We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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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.

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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.