Originally Posted by rickair7777

You meet the minimums and apply. Lot's of paperwork involved though. Federal jobs are not quite as networking-oriented as other aviation jobs. It helps if you are a minority or a veteran, applicants are graded on a point system and you get extra points for that.

I don't think the DOT has a lot of VIP jets, maybe just the one. I would assume that's a pretty senior gig at the FAA.

It usually helps to get a federal job if you already have a federal job...you might want to look into NTSB accident investigator. It's an entry-level job, they hire a wide variety of backgrounds, and the flight time requirements are very low IIRC. They provide all the training, and you start with small-airplane crashes and work your way up. Interesting work, government benefits, and it might help you get a government flying job.