Aviation Safety Inspector (Air Carrier Maintenance)

Summary

As a Aviation Safety Inspector and staff assistant to the Branch Manager, the incumbent develops division procedures and conducts operational evaluation and analysis of the airworthiness work of the division and of the International Field Offices (IFOs) concerning the investigation, inspection and surveillance, regulatory compliance and enforcement, certification, certificate management and aircraft maintenance of foreign operators and entities in a foreign geographic location.

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Duties

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The incumbent, evaluates the adequacy and effectiveness of safety regulations, and has responsibility for perceiving the need for, recommending the initiation of, and justifying new or amended regulations to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and supplementary regulatory material. The incumbent of this position is responsible for applying expert knowledge of and experience with 14 CFR for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for FAA field personnel and the public governing all matters related to air carrier maintenance safety issues.

Special Projects

Provides on a continuing basis effective control of assigned branch projects and special assignments and a means of reporting status and accomplishment thereof to the Branch Manager. Perceives the need for and proposes research and development projects. Determines the need and makes substantiated recommendations for new or amended regulations, policies, and procedures.

Enforcements

Evaluates IFO performance in investigation and reporting of enforcement cases and accident and incident cases. Proposes new or amended investigation and/or enforcement policy for the Division and appropriate offices/agencies.

Technical Assistance

Participates in field office in-depth evaluation to determine program accomplishment and effectiveness and accordance with established policy. Develops and prepares recommendations for corrective action based on evaluation findings.

Exemptions

Incumbent is responsible for the preparation of Federal Register notices regarding original petitions for exemptions within their assigned area of responsibility. Also, the incumbent coordinates with other Aviation Safety and Flight Standards organizations to develop a complete analysis and appropriate response. Since exemptions are rulemaking documents, this review may include coordination with the Office of Rulemaking and the Office of General Counsel so that the denial, grant or disposition of petition for rulemaking will withstand a legal challenge. Technical input must be reviewed for completeness and ensure it responds to all aspects of an exemption petition.

Policy Development and Implementation

Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of division policy in assigned programs areas to include evaluation and analysis. Develops policies, including advisory circulars, inspector guidelines, and training standards related to IFO work programs and adherence to related policies. Reviews and evaluates, on a continuing basis, established rules and regulations to assure they have kept pace with needs to which they were directed and that they are still reasonable, necessary, and adequate. Assures effective coordination of assigned programs and activities with Safety Assurance offices, other organizational segments of the Division, the Agency and organizations outside of the agency.

Training and Outreach

The incumbent engages with internal and external stakeholders to promote safety, understanding, and compliance related to assigned programs. Represents the agency as a technical trainer/instructor delivering formal training for assigned technical programs. Develops new and revises existing agency employee training courses, to include on-the-job training (OJT) job task analysis (JTA) documents. Serves as course mentor for agency sponsored training courses.

Representative to Industry, Government, and International Organizations

Participates in national and international working groups and panels with other organization elements of the agency, or other government agencies, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and industry representatives for the purpose of resolving complex and controversial problems having a direct influence on the safety of assigned technical programs operations, facilities, and equipment.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
• Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
• If the Agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed.
• Ingrade/downgrade bids will be accepted.

Qualifications

OPM Qualification Standard for the Aviation Safety Inspector Air Carrier Maintenance specialty (from the Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions) is located at:

General Requirements for All Positions:

1. Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years;
2. Valid State driver's license;
3. Fluency in the English language;
4. No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and
5. High school diploma or equivalent.

Medical Requirements for All Positions:

Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner and must meet all of the following requirements.

1. Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted);
2. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and
3. Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft.

In addition, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of the aircraft must:

1. Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations; and
2. Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.

Applicants not requiring valid second-class medical certificates who are tentatively selected will be required to:

1. Provide documentation from a board-certified physician certifying that they meet the minimal medical requirements; or
2. Individuals who do not meet the minimum medical requirements but who are otherwise qualified will receive an individualized assessment to determine whether they can perform the essential functions of the position.

Specialized Experience:

When the predominant work involves air carrier maintenance , applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Air Carrier Maintenance) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

1. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and systems of multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight maintained under an airworthiness maintenance and inspection program.

2. Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency.

3. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness.

4. Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years.

5. FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings.

To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I, FG/GS-13 level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Specialized experience is : Assisting, conducting or performing various technical functions related to certification, surveillance, investigation or compliance recommendation of maintenance activities on FAR Part 145 repair stations.

Recency of specialized experience is waived for current and former FAA employees in the 1825 series.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.

Security Requirements: Non-critical sensitive (2): This position requires completion & favorable adjudication of a Tier 3 (T3) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained and approved.

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the following has been determined to be a selective factor for this position. This means possession of this criterion is part of the minimum qualifications and is essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position. Applicants who do not possess this criterion are ineligible for further consideration.

• Experience with certificate management,(14 CFR) part numbers 121, 135, 145, or 147.
• Experience with data quality review against established guidelines.

IMPORTANT: Ensure that your work experience supports your Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA), and Other Factors answers. Your answers and associated work experience will be evaluated further to validate whether the answers that you selected are appropriate.

Education

Education may not be substituted for experience.

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Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.

Position may be subject to a background investigation.

A one-year probationary period may be required.

The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies.

This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.

As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration.

In-grade/Downgrade applications will be accepted

Current FAA employee: You MUST submit a copy of your most recent (non-award) SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or equivalent document that verifies tenure (block 24, code 1 or 2). Failure to provide the required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in non-consideration for this position.

Interview Policy: If the Agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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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.

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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.