Government Aviation Jobs
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States and Transport Canada in Canada handle airport and airline security. TSA and Transport Canada hire individuals to perform baggage screening and other security tasks. The TSA is also in charge of the Federal Air Marshal program which deploys undercover on flights in the United States and around the world. Training for these positions are provided by the TSA or Transport Canada.
In Focus: Flying with the Coast Guard
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employs licensed pilots and non-pilots to ensure the certification, security, and safety of airports, aircraft, pilots, and air traffic control systems. The FAA is also involved in the emerging field of commercial space transportation. As technology improves in all areas of aviation, including air traffic control, the FAA will continually need qualified individuals to fill a variety of positions, from pilots to aviation safety inspectors to computer specialists and everything in-between.
The United States military offers many aviation job possibilities, in a flying and non-flying or ground support capacity. In addition to the US Air Force, aviation positions are available with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard as well as state-based national guard units. In addition to providing offensive and defensive capability, US military personnel sometimes provide their personnel and aircraft for rescue assistance of civilians. The Canadian military also offers a number of job possibilities for those seeking aviation careers.
State governments often need helicopter and fixed-wing pilots and grounds support crews to fill a variety of positions. State governments need aviation personnel for state highway patrols, the transportation of government officials, and for state-sponsored special projects.
The US Forest Service and the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) deploy aircraft and ground support personnel to fight forest fires throughout the United States and Canada. Though firefighting is mostly seasonal, with the majority of work available in the summer, both agencies need some personnel throughout the year and hire heavily in advance of the fire season.