Enter a job title or keyword

Air Cargo Specialist (Title 32)


Job Location:

Peoria, IL - USA

Hourly Salary: USD 31 - 31
Posted: 6 October 2026 (19 days ago)
Application Deadline: 22 January 2027
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

This National Guard position is for a AIR CARGO SPECIALIST (TITLE 32) Position Description Number D1965000 and is part of the IL 182 AW National Guard.


Duties

As an AIR CARGO SPECIALIST (TITLE 32) WGyou will perform a full variety of Air Transportation functions necessary to manage the day-to-day Air Transportation and small air terminal operations including but not limited to airdrop and airdrop inspections rigging responsibilities wing deployment training passenger and cargo manifesting Joint Inspection load planning determining cargo/passenger eligibility establishing and maintaining air terminal security directly responsible for safe and efficient loading/offloading of all DOD-owned and controlled aircraft and ensuring In-transit Visibility (ITV).

Major Duties - This is NOT an all-inclusive list:

  • Use a wide variety of inspection processes and techniques and many unique and specially designed instruments and gauges (i.e. tension meters scales micrometers gauges torque wrenches and protractors).
  • Operate a variety of materials handling equipment (MHE) utilized inmoving cargo within the air terminal and to transport cargo to and from the aircraft (i.e. 4-10K forklifts 25-60K aircraft loaders etc.).
  • Rig and prepare unilateral airdrop training loads to include type V or other airdrop platforms for airdrops.
  • Ensure items offered for transport by air meet proper specifications to maximize safety and security of the aircraft aircrew cargo and passengers.
  • Analyze operational plans policies and procedures for air terminal activities and facilities essential to air passenger and cargo movement processes.
  • Inspect for burrs rough spots corrosion pits cracks welds cuts foreign material bends damaged threads adjusting collars set screws shank pins and that timers activate within specifications.
  • Inspect cargo received for airlift to verify eligibility and ensures proper documentation packaging and marking in accordance with applicable DOD directives.
  • Perform a rigger inspection by the field manual or technical order for that particular type of load.
  • Perform a before loading inspection jointly with the Air Force Joint Airdrop Inspector (AFJAI); Complete the proper airdrop inspection form in the DD Form 1748 (Joint Airdrop Inspection Record) series.
  • Perform on board the aircraft after the load is rigged for flight and airdrop along with an AFJAI and the aircrew Load Master; Apply a variety of sophisticated techniques to inspect specialized and complex aircraft systems in accordance with Load Masters Manual.
  • Coordinate on development and application of base-wide air terminal operation plans supporting wartime operations contingencies natural disasters and incidents on/off base.
  • Coordinate with explosive safety and other appropriate agencies on areas designated for parking loading and servicing of aircraft with explosive/hazardous cargo.
  • Prepare and maintain air movement records reports and documentation required within the Defense Transportation System (DTS).
  • Perform inspections and repair of cargo deceleration and extraction parachutes and responsible for certification.
  • Conduct weather observations wind speed direction determination marking drop zone with navigation aids and timing points establishing and maintaining air to ground and point to point radio communications relaying information to aircraft and to the Range Control Officer.
  • Implement deployment lesson plans for the following areas: Material Handling Equipment (MHE) such as K-Loaders and forklifts Load Planning Overview Cargo Preparation/Pallet Build Up Ramp Coordinator Cargo Deployment Function work-centers (i.e. In-Check Cargo Marshalling Yard Joint Inspection Hazardous Cargo Handlers Explosives Safety Quality Control and Load Teams) and the transportation portion of the Passenger Deployment Function. Coordinates with Traffic Management and deploying units requiring hazardous material technical specialist training.

Requirements
Conditions of employment

    • IAW The Fair Chance Act Agency employees may not request criminal history information at the point of initial application upon receipt of an application or prior to during or after a job interview. If an Optional Form (OF) 306 Declaration of Employment is submitted prior to the point of a conditional offer questions related to background information section may not be asked.
    • This is an excepted service position that requires membership in the Illinois National Guard and in the military grade listed in the announcement. This is required prior to the effective date of placement. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership please contact a National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position.
    • Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform.
    • Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment.
    • Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
    • Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
    • This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
    • Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day.
    • Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
    Qualifications

    AREA OF CONSIDERATION: The areas of consideration for this position Title 32 Excepted Service (32 U.S. Code 709) will be in the following manner and sequence:

    • The FIRST area of consideration for this position will be all excepted permanent and indefinite temporary technicians within the ILNG.
    • The SECOND area of consideration will be all current Federal Employees.
    • The THIRD area of consideration will be all Federal re-employment eligible.
    • The FOURTH area of consideration will be applicants willing to become T32 Dual Status Technicians and gain ILNG membership.
    • The FIFTH area of consideration will be U.S. Citizens.



    Military Grades: Minimum Rank A1C Maximum Rank TSgt.


    SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: WG-10 Level - MUST possess specialized experience which includes experience or training performing a full variety of Air Transportation functions necessary to manage the day-to-day Air Transportation and small air terminal operations including but not limited to airdrop and airdrop inspections rigging responsibilities wing deployment training passenger and cargo manifesting Joint Inspection load planning determining cargo/passenger eligibility establishing and maintaining air terminal security directly responsible for safe and efficient loading/offloading of all DOD-owned and controlled aircraft and ensuring ITV.

    Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community student social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.

    Verbiage displayed on your resume or application must contain your own words. You may refer to position descriptions i.e. the general and specialized experience located within the vacancy announcement to assist with describing work experiences; however resumes or applications received in verbatim will not be your resume you will need to address the general and specialized experience listed above. Please use as much detail as needed giving dates (months and years) of the experience position title and how the experience was gained. This information is needed to determine if you are qualified for the position.

    Education

    Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted for this occupational series and grade.

    Additional information

    A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

    Review our benefits

    Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.


    Required Experience:

    IC