FLIGHT PLANNING SPECIALIST
Air Mobility Command
Posted: March 17, 2026 (0 days ago)
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Air Mobility Command
Department of the Air Force
Location
Illinois
Salary
$91,779 - $119,315
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Other jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $62,107 - $80,737
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-10. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 years graduate study.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves planning, coordinating, and tracking complex air transportation missions around the world, 24/7, to support high-level needs like those of the President, military leaders, and other agencies.
It's a critical role in the Air Force that requires staying on duty during emergencies and completing special training.
A good fit would be someone with experience in military logistics or air operations who thrives in high-pressure, always-on 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: to serve as a Flight Management Specialist responsible for planning, analyzing, coordinating, managing, and flight-following unconventional and complex USTRANSCOM validated requirements supporting the President, Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), DoD, and non-DoD Agencies on a 24 hour, 365-day worldwide basis.
Conditions of Employment cont. This position is designated as a key position IAW AFI 36-507. Duties of this position are essential to the accomplishment of wartime/contingency operations.
Incumbents of key positions must be removed from their military recall status if alternative for filling of the position during an emergency are not available.
IAW DoDI 3020-42 this position has been locally, or command designated as Mission Essential (ME); needed to ensure the continued operation of mission essential functions of the activity.
Mission Essential personnel may be required to report for duty at normal times when the base is closed or delayed reporting and remain on duty during phased or early release.
Incumbent will be required to successfully complete initial flight manager training (maintain minimum passing scores) within established timelines prior to assuming unsupervised duties of the position.
These actions should be scheduled for accomplishment within 120 days of being hired.
In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions, Transportation Specialist Series 2101 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems.
Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of AMC command and control operations to include the Air Operations Centers, Air Mobility Command Posts, Air Mobility Command Centers, Air Terminal Operations Centers, and enroute locations.
Knowledge of the command organization and the work processes of associated air transportation programs as they are integrated throughout the command at each air base or mission location.
Knowledge of DoD/JCS/Air Force air transportation directives, regulations, policies and procedures to plan and manage air transportation systems and/or services to satisfy user requirements.
Broad knowledge of operations, practices, and policies of the command's functional activities to develop, integrate and coordinate transportation plans and missions.
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-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 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 Air Mobility Command's operations, policies, practices, and procedures, to include air transportation directives, plans, regulations, techniques, systems, and processes.
Knowledge of various factors involved in total flight planning, such as the enroute mobility system, locations, capabilities, restrictions, and unique limitations; aircrew flying limitations and crew rest requirements; and aircraft systems, performance capabilities, and limitations.
Knowledge of various computer systems and applications that pertain to transportation operations and those systems required to perform the work.
Knowledge of flight operations, instrument flight rules, Federal Aviation Regulations, airfield information and restrictions, enroute supplements, i.e.
runway length, load-bearing capability, type of fuel available, etc.
Knowledge of flying instructions, Flight Information Publications (FLIP) documents, guidelines, and worldwide route planning, international airway routes and structure, oceanic routes, controlled and special use airspace, aeronautical charts, airways, and flight safety issues.
Skill and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing 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:
Accomplishes flight planning. Flight-follows assigned missions to completion.
Resolves operational issues affecting unconventional and complex, multi-sortie missions; and evaluates the mission impact of delays and/or cancellations.
Keeps 618TH AOC senior staff apprised of status and developments for assigned missions and reviews quality of sorties as required.
Serves as a subject matter expert advising senior 618TH AOC and AMC staff on a variety of airlift and air refueling operational issues, and provides training when appropriate.
Serves as Air Traffic Manager/Coordinator and assists with development, analysis, evaluation, and maintenance of air transportation tools through collection and assessment of critical mission data.
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