Information Technology (IT) Officer

The Civil Air Patrol seeks volunteers with professional experience or strong interest in information technology to support unit-level operations, cybersecurity awareness, and data-driven mission readiness.

Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with approximately 58,000 members nationwide. In its Air Force Auxiliary role, CAP performs the majority of inland search and rescue missions in the continental United States and supports disaster relief, homeland security, and emergency response operations at the request of federal, state, and local agencies. CAP also operates a nationally recognized Cadet Program focused on leadership, aerospace education, and character development for youth ages 12–21.

The Clearwater Composite Squadron (SER-FL-447), assigned to Civil Air Patrol Group 3, operates in the Tampa Bay area and conducts emergency services, aerospace education, and youth leadership missions. Meeting nights are Thursdays, 6:00PM – 9:00 PM.

This role is designed for professionals who want to apply their technical skills in service of a real-world mission. Duties may be prioritized based on the volunteer’s background, strengths, and availability; no candidate is expected to be expert in all areas listed below.

Information Technology Officer – Responsibilities

The Information Technology Officer supports the squadron commander by providing oversight, coordination, and technical leadership for unit IT functions. Primary focus areas may include one or more of the following, based on experience:

• Program Oversight & Governance
  • Support and coordinate unit-level IT programs in alignment with Civil Air Patrol policies.
  • Develop or refine local IT procedures to support mission execution and data security.
• Cyber & Information Security Support
  • Assist with OPSEC and INFOSEC best practices, including account hygiene and awareness.
  • Support timely software updates, antivirus definitions, and basic cyber risk mitigation.
• Youth Cyber Education (Optional Focus Area)
  • Coach or assist with CyberPatriot teams and cyber education activities for cadets.
  • Mentor cadets interested in cybersecurity, IT, or STEM careers.
• Systems, Data & Web Support (Optional Focus Area)
  • Serve as or assist the unit Web Security Administrator (WSA), managing permissions and access as required.
  • Support the maintenance or improvement of the unit’s website and internal information systems.
  • Assist the commander with extracting high-level, measurable performance data from available systems when needed.
• Feedback & Continuous Improvement
  • Provide constructive feedback and suggested system improvements through the chain of command as appropriate.