Lead FW Pilot - 62000479

State of Florida•Lakeland, FL

4d•$120,000 - $130,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Florida State Guard, a division of the Florida Department of Military Affairs, is hiring a Lead FW Pilot in Lakeland, Florida. The Florida State Guard protects life and property through rapid deployment of ground, maritime, and air capabilities in partnership with state and local agencies. The Lead FW Pilot oversees aviation missions and coordinates fixed-wing flight operations for the Aviation Response Squadron. The role serves as the primary pilot for state-owned or leased fixed-wing aircraft and is responsible for safe, compliant, and operationally ready flights and assets. The position reports directly to the Chief Pilot and supports operations under Part 135 and Public Use Operations frameworks. The pilot maintains squadron policies, procedures, safety manuals, training documentation, and crew-readiness records. Duties also include completing post-flight records and reports, documenting aircraft discrepancies, and promptly reporting mechanical issues to maintenance personnel. The role may involve extensive travel and work in demanding field or austere environments during active disasters. The advertised salary range is $120,000–$130,000.00. New employees must pass pre-employment drug screening and participate in direct deposit. Employees are paid monthly.

Requirements

FAA certifications from an accredited civilian aviation program, or aviation certifications from an accredited military aviation school.
Commercial Instrument Rating for Fixed Wing Aircraft.
Valid FAA Class II Medical Certificate.
At least 500 hours of multi-engine flight time.
At least 100 hours of night flight time.
At least 100 hours of actual instrument time.
Thorough knowledge of FAA principles, regulations, and techniques, particularly Part 135 and Public Use Operations.
Advanced knowledge of operating complex fixed-wing aircraft, including relevant principles, techniques, and safety procedures.
Knowledge of emergency management frameworks, disaster response protocols, and aviation-specific emergency procedures.
Knowledge of organizational leadership, crew resource management, and basic aviation squadron management practices.
Knowledge of aviation personnel management and the ability to supervise, motivate, develop, and direct flight crews.
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple flight missions, operational tasks, and complex projects under shifting timelines.
Exceptional judgment and ability to make rapid, safe decisions in emergency or high-stress flight situations.
Knowledge of computer-based flight tracking, report preparation, and database management; ability to maintain records and generate operational status reports.
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally verbally and in writing with leadership, government organizations, and public stakeholders.
Ability to work autonomously as pilot-in-command and collaborate as a leader within the Aviation Response Squadron.
Ability to travel extensively and work in demanding field or austere environments during active disaster conditions.

Nice To Haves

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate with at least 4,000 total flight hours.
King Air B300 (Super King Air 350) type rating.

Responsibilities

Oversee aviation missions and coordinate all fixed-wing flight operations for the Aviation Response Squadron.
Develop and maintain squadron policies, standard operating procedures, and safety manuals.
Report to the Chief Pilot on mission success, crew status, and operational challenges.
Manage training documentation and track crew readiness against performance benchmarks.
Serve as the primary pilot for state-owned or leased fixed-wing aircraft.
Ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and operational readiness for assigned flights and assets.
Enforce compliance with Part 135 and Public Use Operations frameworks.
Complete post-flight administrative duties, including logging flight times, recording aircraft discrepancies, and filing mission reports.
Coordinate maintenance tracking by promptly reporting squawks and mechanical issues to maintenance personnel after flights.