AIRFIELD CLEARING EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
Air Education and Training Command
Posted: March 12, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Air Mobility Command
Department of the Air Force
Location
South Carolina
Salary
$61,722 - $80,243
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Other jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $41,966 - $54,557
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-6. Bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement or 1 year graduate study.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves overseeing safe landing and drop zones for military aircraft during training and operations, ensuring everything runs smoothly to keep combat missions ready.
It's a critical role in the Air Force that requires staying on duty even during emergencies and handling vehicles in tough conditions.
A good fit would be someone with experience in transportation or military logistics who is reliable, physically fit, and comfortable in high-stakes environments.
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.
The primary purpose of this position is: Responsible for performing landing zone safety (LZSO), drop zone safety (DZSO), and drop zone controller (DZC) duties.
Ensures that Air Mobility Command and DoD wide-mission objectives are maintained to combat ready mission status. Conditions of Employment cont. This is a drug testing designated position.
The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use. This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Testing Program.
Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing.
Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety.
Incumbent of this position is subject to the possibility of a random drug test.
Must possess a current and valid state driver's license and be able to obtain and maintain a valid government driver's license for the operation of specialty vehicles, to include five and six passenger trucks, all purpose vehicles, HUM vehicles, tactical vehicles, and grounds maintenance support equipment.
This is a Mission Essential (ME) position performing a Mission Critical Function (MCF) which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions.
IAW, DoDI 3020-42, Defense Continuity Programs. This position may be designated mission essential based on local conditions.
Mission essential personnel report for duty at normal times when the base is closed or delayed reporting and remain on duty during phased or early release.
The incumbent must be able to pass an initial fit-for-duty physical evaluation (to include a vision, strength, fitness and general health assessment), and the incumbent may be required at any time to re-accomplish and pass this evaluation, as a condition of employment.
This is a Key Position.
The duties of this position meet all requirements as a category 4 designation, and shall not be vacated during a national emergency or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the parent Federal Agency or office to function effectively.
This position must be removed from the Ready Reserve and CANNOT become a member of the Ready Reserve.
(IAW: DoDD 1250.7, "Screening the Ready Reserve,") In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for Administrative and Management Positions.
Individual Occupational Requirements, Transportation Specialist Series, 2101.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-07, or equivalent in other pay systems.
Examples of specialized experience includes a knowledge of the transportation function of the position to be filled.
Examples of specialized experience include knowledge of the laws, regulations and procedures governing the movement of aircraft in a simulated combat environment.
Knowledge of a wide range of Landing Zone/Drop Zone (LZ/DZ) training, contingency operations and financial planning principles, practices, procedures and regulations applicable to operations readiness responsibilities on a military installation as well as government leased properties.
Knowledge of the U.S. Air Force, U.S.
Army, Special Operations, and other federal government agency force structure, doctrine, command relationships, organization, operational concepts/procedures, core mission requirements, lines of authority, and the applicable guidance and policy for their training and employment.
OR EDUCATION: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position or LL.B.
or J.D., if related. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts.
OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.
NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts.
FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time--in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.
One year at the GS-07 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.
NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.
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: Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations and procedures governing the movement of aircraft conducting landing/drop zone operations.
Prior experience as a USAF Special Tactics Combat Controller (minimum 6 years of experience is highly desired).
Knowledge of operational tactics, techniques, procedures, activity's structure and organization, to apply DoD, Joint, AMC and Air Force management of training operations principles, concepts and methodologies.
Knowledge and skill of a wide range of assault zone control/support procedures, responsibilities, and equipment, including civil air to ground radio systems, military portable plain text and secure voice radio systems, lighting systems, portable navigational aids, weather limitations, communication requirements, and the ability to identify and report hazards, to facilitate the safety of aircrew and ground personnel conducting assault zone training.
Knowledge of, and the ability to apply, the applicable laws, rules, and regulations and procedures governing the movement of aircraft operations on a landing/drop zone, landing/drop zone airfield lighting, weather instructions, use of landlines, and any other equipment pertaining to providing landing/drop zone services to include night operations conducted with the aid of night vision devices.
Skill in use of basic computer software (i.e., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook) to document support activities, and produce reports/briefings.
Ability to plan, organize and manage operations and training program requirements and objectives within available resources and to conduct joint exercise planning up to and including the Corps level that exercise joint integration and tactics.
Knowledge of instructional techniques and development of tactical field training requirements.
Ability to gather facts, interpret and evaluate data, identify potential problems, offer meaningful recommendations (knowing the impact) and/or resolutions.
Ability to communicate effectively orally (quickly, precisely, and distinctly) and in writing; with ability to remain calm under stressful conditions.
Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative techniques for analyzing and measuring effectiveness and efficiency of training operations.
Knowledge and skill in operating Radio Frequency (RF), Ultraviolet light (UV), and Infrared radiation (IR) equipment; and a thorough understanding of the effects of these systems on aircraft and on-board systems.
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. Major Duties:
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