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Air Interdiction Agent

Full time Government Pilot in Command First Officer

Job Description

What We Do

Fuse your flight expertise with cutting edge technology to protect community and nation.

Air Interdiction Agents are valuable members of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer profession. As an Air Interdiction Agent, you will perform air law enforcement operations involving the detection, prevention, interdiction, and apprehension of terrorist, terrorist weapons and other contraband and persons from illegally entering or attacking the United States.

Typical responsibilities include:

  • Conducting air to air, air to water, and air to ground border interdiction of people and conveyances illegally crossing U.S. borders;
  • Patrolling oceans, lakes, and rivers to prevent the illegal entry of weapons of terror; and
  • Prohibiting illegal narcotics and prevent the entry of undocumented aliens.

Being an Air Interdiction Agent opens up many opportunities as your career advances. In your career, you may have the opportunity to do the following:

  • Operate unmanned aircraft performing law enforcement missions;
  • Perform interdiction duties that include intelligence gathering, detecting, intercepting, tracking, apprehending, testifying and acting as liaison with other Federal, State, local, tribal and foreign law enforcement agencies;
  • Develop strategies to track aircraft, vessels and people to accomplish an effective and successful interdiction;
  • Gather and sharing intelligence on illegal activities or potential terrorism with law enforcement partners and the general aviation and marine communities;
  • Testify under oath before a grand jury, federal court proceedings and/or other legal proceedings.
  • Eligible applicants must:
    • Be a U.S. Citizen
    • Have a valid, non-restricted driver's license
    • Have resided in the U.S. for at least three of the last five years (Residency Requirement Exceptions)
    • Be eligible to carry a firearm
    • Be referred for selection prior to your 40th birthday (or receive an exception for veteran's preference eligibility or previous service in a civilian law enforcement position)
    • Be willing to travel
    • Pass the application process (see details below)

    You may be disqualified if your background includes:

    • Use of illegal drugs and/or the sale distribution of illegal drugs
    • Convictions, including misdemeanor domestic violence charges
    • International harboring or concealment of undocumented aliens

Qualifications Specific to Air Interdiction Agent

You must possess and provide proof of the following, at time of application in order to meet the basic requirements of this position:

  • A documented flight log reflecting a minimum of 1500 flight hours (up to 500 hours can be waived, reducing the pilot entry on duty minimums to 1000 hours); apply at 750 flight hours*
    • 250 Pilot-in-Command hours
    • 75 Instrument hours
    • 75 Night hours (Flight Hour Waiver available)
    • 100 Flight hours in the last 12 months (currently waived by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) through August 5, 2025)
    • No military flight hour conversion allowed
  • A current FAA Commercial or ATP Pilot Certification with the following ratings:
    • Dual Rated: Airplane (Single-engine land or multi-engine land) with instrument rating AND Rotorcraft Helicopter with instrument rating; OR
    • Airplane Rated: Airplane (Single-engine land or multi-engine land) with instrument; OR
    • Helicopter Rated: Rotorcraft Helicopter with instrument rating; OR
    • Equivalent military rating of the above at the time of application (eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot).
  • FAA Class II Medical Certificate required for assessment dated within the last 12 calendar months. FAA Class I, FAA Class 2 or Military Certificate dated within the last 12 months qualifies to start the pre-employment process.
  • One-year of professional aviation experience (Operation of an aircraft as Captain, Pilot in Command, Aircraft Commander, First Officer, Certified Flight Instructor, Second in Command, Co-pilot, Airborne Mission Commander, Military Weapons Systems Officer/Flight Officer/Crew Chief, Air to Air, Air to Ground, or Air to Surface aviation law enforcement mission coordinator)

*Applicants applying at 750 flight hours are required to obtain at least 1,000 flight hours (depending on the number of hours approved for a waiver) at own expense before being able to attend the 3-part flight assessment. Applicants must still meet the required 250 PIC hours, 75 Instrument hours, 75 Night hours and 100 Flight hours in the last 12 months. (Note: The 100 flight hours in the last 12 months is currently being waived by OPM through August 5, 2025.)

Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Flight Hours:

Applicants may include UAS Predator A (MQ-1), Predator B (MQ-9) flight hours or predator based variant flight hours. These hours may be credited towards satisfying the "Total flight time" 1,500 flight hour requirement only. UAS hours do not count towards the 250 PIC hours, 75 Instrument hours and 75 Night hours. Flight hour logbooks will be required at time of your Flight Assessment for verification. Note: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.

US Customs and Border Protection - Air
About US Customs and Border Protection - Air

From sky to sea, AMO pilots, mariners and surveillance operators safeguard our country and communities from terrorist attacks and the unlawful movement of illegal drugs, contraband and people. Whether it's a security threat or providing life-saving humanitarian support, AMO agents are the first line to respond. If you’re ready for a career in federal law enforcement and making a difference for your country and your future, join AMO and find your calling.
Air Interdiction Agents pilot airplanes, helicopters and unmanned aircraft systems to interdict inbound threats to the U.S. and investigate dangerous criminal networks.

 

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