The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Division of Aviation, a recognized leader in air mobility innovation, promotes the economic well-being of North Carolina by developing a safe and robust air transportation system. As the state’s aviation authority, the division manages state and federal airport infrastructure development grant projects, in collaboration with local government owners of the state’s 72 public airports, the integration of advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft systems for business and government use, airport professional development, aviation workforce development and flight services for state agencies.
The pilot position serves on the Flight Operations team, which supports the Division of Aviation with highly customer-service-focused passenger and photogrammetry services to advance state agency missions. The position primarily transports individuals from North Carolina’s executive leadership, cabinet offices, state-level departments and state universities and provides survey-grade aerial photography services to document highway project development, natural disaster response and special missions across North Carolina, from the mountains to the coast.
This permanent, pilot-in-command position crews twin-engine, fixed-wing aircraft (with potential for single engine aircraft) based out of Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU). The position typically pilots up to two separate models of turbo-prop aircraft in VFR and IFR conditions.
The division seeks a career-oriented candidate with superior customer service skills and a professional, safety-conscious mindset interested in working in a team environment.
This position will apply a full knowledge of piloting, aircraft performance and the appropriate regulations and policies, along with an understanding of weather conditions and communications. This position will use a variety of standardized guidelines and policies that cover most aspects of work, including Federal Aviation Administration regulations, aircraft operations, maintenance manuals and department policies.
The pilot-in-command will work effectively in groups and build working relationships to enhance team effectiveness inside the flight department, as well as within the corporate and aviation communities. That includes participating in division strategic and work planning and implementation activities aimed at identifying and pursuing opportunities for improving operations and advancing division and state agency priorities.
A significant portion of this position is reviewed through pilot logs, flight operations reports, passenger feedback and direct observation by division leadership.
The majority of contacts made while performing pilot duties are with fellow crew members, maintenance personnel, aircraft controllers and aircraft passengers. These contacts are to gather, exchange or explain information concerning flight operations, weather, safety or aircraft maintenance.
Aviation personnel are subject to FAA Drug & Alcohol testing regulations 14 CFR Part 120, will be required to sign an acknowledgement form, and complete a pre-employment drug & alcohol test at/before hire.
This position requires being on-call on scheduled workdays and able to report to RDU within 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•Pilot NCDOT aircraft in a crew environment under instrument and visual flight rules. These flights typically occur during weekdays with some weekends. Flights are operated in both high-density commercial service and low-density general aviation airports. Some missions may require overnight and out-of-state flights.
•Perform a combination of mission types, including point-to-point passenger flights and precision photogrammetry vertical, oblique and continuous strip flights requiring the aircraft to maintain a critical course, speed and altitude with very little deviation. Photogrammetry flights are normally at standard altitudes with minimum stress and loading on the aircraft due to maneuvers.
•Employ comprehensive flight planning processes considering weather, navigational aids, routing, altitudes, alternative routes and destinations, loading and weight distribution, fuel requirements and the filing of IFR flight plans, as necessary.
•Conduct pre-flight and post-flight inspections of aircraft and note all discrepancies in a maintenance log, and maintain all other necessary logs and reports related to their flights.
•Continuously analyze aircraft performance and weather conditions to determine whether to continue, reroute or cancel flights. Flights can range in difficulty from clear VFR to hard IFR conditions.
•Alternate between the pilot-in-command or co-pilot on assigned flights (all flights require two-person crews).
•When not assigned to a mission, remain on standby for missions during scheduled workdays.
•Potentially assist NCDOT FAA-certified mechanics in the maintenance of division aircraft, including annual inspections, as necessary.
•Participate in and contribute to division planning, implementation and reporting activities focused on advancing the agency’s vision and mission.
•Support division initiatives, as assigned, that may range from representing the division at career fairs to build the state’s aviation talent pool or supporting NCDOT’s robust unmanned aircraft systems program and missions.
•Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences
Salary Grade and Salary Range: NC18 $63,927-$111,871
Management prefers applicants with the following:
Experience in King Air, or similar multi-engine fixed-wing turbo-prop type aircraft, equipped with electronic flight instrument system (EFIS)/flight management systems (FMS).
Documented flight hours of crewed fixed-wing multi-engine turbo-prop or turbo jet experience within the last 24 months.
Experience with flight planning, meteorology, aircraft maintenance requirements, air navigation in crewed single and multi-engine fixed-wing aircraft capabilities and performances.
Experience piloting crewed multi-engine fixed aircraft in all weather conditions.
Experience in crew resource management (CRM).
Minimum Education and Experience
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.
High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and a minimum of 1500 hours of flight time in a closely related type of aircraft and/or type of mission, along with a minimum of three years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and directly related experience.
Necessary Special Requirements Certification as a FAA commercial or airline transport pilot in airplanes and/or rotorcraft and possession of an FAA Class II Medical Certificate. May also require ratings in multi- engine (land), instrument flying, and others as assigned.
EEO Statement
The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.