Air Interdiction Pilot – CBP Air and Marine Operations

Pilot Assessments; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 107,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

SSR + LEAP pay

Career advancement

Flight training academy

Job summary

Pilot Assessments is seeking qualified candidates for a federal air patrol role focused on interdicting contraband and tracking targets across land, air, and sea. You will conduct surveillance, pursue suspects, and support investigations while coordinating with federal, state, and local partners.

The position requires substantial flight hours, pilot in command experience, instrument and night time, plus FAA CPL or ATP certification.

Qualifications

• Requires FAA CPL or ATP, or equivalent military rating.
• Total flight hours and PIC time requirements.
• Medical: FAA Class 1 or 2 flight medical within 12 months; Class 2 for flight assessment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct air patrols, surveillance, and pursuit activities to interdict contraband.
• Collect, refine, and analyze strategic and tactical intelligence; search persons, vessels, and cargo.
• Operate aircraft systems during missions; prepare reports and liaise with partners.
• Develop strategies to track aircraft, vessels, and people; share intelligence with internal and external partners.

Skills

Total flight hours

PIC time

Instrument time

Night time

Driver’s license

Age under 40

Polygraph readiness

Education

FAA CPL

ATP (unrestricted or restricted)

Military ratings accepted

Job description

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The mission

As a federal law enforcement officer, you will conduct air patrols, surveillance, and pursuit operations to interdict smuggled contraband and track suspect people, vehicles, aircraft, and vessels in defense of the Nation’s borders.

What you’ll do

• Conduct air patrols, surveillance, and pursuit activities to interdict contraband smuggled by land vehicles, aircraft, or vessels, and monitor the behavior and activities of suspect persons, vehicles, and vessels believed to be engaged in illegal activity.
• Collect, refine, and analyze strategic and tactical intelligence; search persons, vessels, baggage, and cargo for contraband or weapons incident to detention or arrest.
• Operate aircraft systems during law enforcement missions; detect, intercept, track, and assist with apprehending targets; prepare reports, testify, and liaise with federal, state, local, tribal, and foreign partners.
• Develop strategies to track aircraft, vessels, and people for effective interdictions; gather and share intelligence on illegal activity and potential terrorism with internal customers and the broader aviation and marine communities.

Qualifications at a glance

• Apply starting at: 750 total flight hours
• Before flight assessment: At least 1,000 total hours (depending on any approved waiver), obtained at your own expense
• Pilot Enter-on-Duty minimum: 1,500 total hours (up to 500 hours may be waived to 1,000)
• Minimum PIC time: 250 hours
• Minimum instrument time: 75 hours
• Minimum night time: 75 hours
• Age & service: Must be referable before age 40 (veterans’-preference eligibles may be exempt); valid driver’s license; one-year probationary period

Rating options (FAA or equivalent military rating at time of application):

• Dual Rated: Airplane (single- or multi-engine land) with instrument rating AND rotorcraft/helicopter with instrument rating
• Airplane Rated: Airplane (single- or multi-engine land) with instrument rating
• Helicopter Rated: Rotorcraft/helicopter with instrument rating

Acceptable pilot certificates: Current FAA Commercial (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP). Military equivalents accepted with official documentation (orders, forms, or logbooks showing rated military pilot status).

Licenses & medical

• Certificates accepted: FAA Commercial (CPL), ATP (unrestricted or restricted), or equivalent military rating
• Medical: FAA Class 1, FAA Class 2, or military flight medical dated within the last 12 months to begin pre-employment; FAA Class 2 required at the flight assessment

Suitability, screening & training

• Must pass a polygraph examination (certain veterans may qualify for a polygraph waiver or reciprocity)
• Background investigation for Secret or higher clearance
• Demonstrate firearms proficiency and wear the approved uniform on duty
• Complete 15 weeks at the Air and Marine Basic Training Academy at FLETC, Glynco, GA, including Spanish-language instruction, initial survival, aircraft-specific flight, Standardized Tactical Aviation training, and swim/water-survival

Pay, incentives & advancement

• Base structure: OPM Special Salary Rate (SSR) + Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP 25% for everyone)
• Career ladder pay (example): $106,588 (GS-11), $127,754 (GS-12), $151,918 (GS-13) with SSR + LEAP
• UAS site retention incentive (10%): $115,115 / $137,974 / $164,071 (e.g., Sierra Vista, AZ; Grand Forks, ND; San Angelo, TX)
• Caribbean AMB recruitment incentive (25%): $127,906 / $153,305 / $182,302 (Aguadilla, PR)
• Advancement: Automatic promotion eligibility to the next grade after 52 weeks, with supervisor approval

Next steps

After submitting your application, qualified candidates will move through pre-employment screening, medical and polygraph, and a three-part flight assessment. Assignments are determined upon successful completion of the assessment, and you must be willing to serve at any location within your assigned region.

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