Aircraft Mechanic

Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command•Patrick AFB, FL

About The Position

This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) enlisted position in the regular career civil service. ARTs receive federal employee benefits and are required to maintain active membership in the assigned Air Force Reserve unit. They receive, on average, one weekend of military training per month. The work schedule is aligned to allow full participation in unit training assemblies. Regular assignments are primarily ART duties, though non-ART duties may account for up to 30 percent of total responsibilities. The Aircraft Mechanic inspects and troubleshoots major aircraft systems and their assemblies and components; positions, maintains, disassembles, repairs, and reassembles them; and maintains related records manually and through automated systems. The mechanic follows safety practices, maintains a safe and clean work area, certifies work under the USAF Technical Order Program, and may perform flight duties during maintenance test flights and functional check flights. The work may involve uncommon tours of duty, overtime, and temporary duty travel by military or commercial aircraft. Work takes place in hangars, outdoors, and inside aircraft, sometimes in hazardous noise areas. Conditions may include extreme temperatures, humidity, inclement weather, confined spaces, awkward positions, aircraft fluids and gases, machinery, moving vehicles, intake suction, and hot exhaust. Physical requirements include heavy lifting and carrying, climbing, walking, standing, bending, reaching, and operating special-purpose or motor vehicles. The position requires meeting and maintaining Air Force Reserve requirements and obtaining and maintaining the designated Secret security clearance. It is a testing-designated position subject to random drug testing.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must be a current member of the Air Force Reserve or willing and qualified to join, and must meet and maintain Air Force Reserve requirements.
Must meet the quality-level experience requirements for the OPM WG-8800 Aircraft Overhaul Family qualification standard and demonstrate the ability to perform Aircraft Mechanic duties without more than normal supervision.
Knowledge of the make-up, operation, installation, and adjustment of aircraft systems and assemblies, including fuel and hydraulic systems, flight controls, instrumentation, engines, landing gear, airframes, and control surfaces.
Knowledge of parts, components, subsystems, and assemblies such as ejection seats, nuclear shielding, or similar self-contained systems.
Knowledge of safety regulations and procedures, and ability to rig, operationally test, and troubleshoot systems; determine whether systems operate properly and whether components need repair or replacement; and determine required adjustments and alignment.
Knowledge of supply procedures, applicable publications, tools, equipment and material accounting, security, and documentation procedures.
Skill in using standard and specialized tools and test equipment, including fixtures, templates, scales, test stands, and external power sources.
Skill in reading and understanding instructions, schematics, diagrams, specifications, blueprints, technical orders, data, and aircraft instrument and gauge settings.
Must obtain and maintain the Secret security clearance designated for the position.
Subject to random drug testing as a testing-designated position.
Must participate in unit training assemblies; work schedule is aligned to support this requirement.
May be required to work overtime and uncommon tours of duty, fly on military or commercial aircraft for temporary duty, and drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate valid driver's license may be required.
Physical requirements include lifting 80 pounds or more; carrying 45 pounds or more; reaching above the shoulder; using fingers and both hands; walking and standing approximately four hours per day; repeated bending approximately four hours per week; climbing; and use of legs and arms, with both legs required.
Vision requirements include near vision correctable at 13 to 16 inches to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other, depth perception, and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades. Hearing with or without an aid is permitted.
Males must be registered for Selective Service.
Must meet a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, depending on appointment type.

Responsibilities

Inspect and troubleshoot a variety of major aircraft systems, assemblies, and components.
Position, maintain, disassemble, repair, and reassemble major aircraft systems, assemblies, and components.
Maintain aircraft maintenance and repair records manually and through automated systems.
Follow safety practices and procedures and maintain a safe, clean work area.
Certify work produced under the USAF Technical Order Program.
Perform flight duties during maintenance test flights and functional check flights.
Perform other related duties as assigned.