Modern organization is as such: CSG Commander is a one star, Pilot, NFO, or SWO. Their flag is usually on the Carrier, and have their staff (~30) embarked. The DESRON commander, Carrier CO, and CVW Commander (CAG), all O-6s, work for the Admiral. I think the CG CO (O-6) does as well, but maybe also for the DESRON. Not 100% on that one. There's one O-3 Aviator billet on CSG staff to speak for aviation issues. I'd say it's a good-ish deal in that you only embark when the Admiral gets aboard, but there's only 12-ish CSGs so it's not a lot of billets. One boat probably has that many shooters alone.
As far as heirarchy of disassocated sea tour jobs? Depends on what community you're from and what you want to do. CVN ANAV and AOPS are "community billets", tightly held by detailers and only given to people with very strong records. Usually I've heard FRS COs/XOs offering these to their LTs and proposed as "I'm making you an offer you cannot refuse". After that, for boat jobs, TAO, Strike OPS, Air Ops, Shooter are all just flavors of 13xx LT jobs, no better or worse from what I've seen. The other staff jobs will vary based on community values (HSM to DESRON staff, HM to MCMRON Staff, VP to PATRONWING Staff, etc). WTIs is the newer career path, going back to a squadron as a Tactics Officer for second sea tour. TACAIR had this model for a while and the rest of aviaition has copied it. WTIs tend to also get tapped for CVW staff now as well.