Airport Airspace Specialist (Service Area)

Job Title

Incumbent serves as a recognized subject matter expert and Central Region POC for all airport airspace matters and provides advice and guidance to less-experienced professionals. Works closely with the Office of Airports Headquarters and obtains direction from the Central Region Airports Division Director to develop and disseminate guidance and information in the implementation and support of FAA Joint Order 7400.2 Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters. May act as a principal specialist to develop new and innovative approaches, methodologies, and/or techniques or as a team leader to define and direct challenging projects/programs/activities.

Applies experience and expert knowledge that are applicable to his or her discipline to conduct functional activities for projects/programs that often require the development of new and innovative approaches. Identifies and resolves challenging problems or issues that often cross- organizational boundaries and impact on the accomplishment of strategic objectives. Typical assignments may include providing guidance to less-experienced professionals; leading large project/program teams; defining and developing internal policies and procedures; predicting potential issues and proposing preventive actions. Provides oversight, tracking and evaluates notices filed in accordance with 14 CFR Part 157 and coordinates with the other Service Area Airport Airspace Specialists and the Office of Airports Headquarters to ensure consistency across the nation, improve FAA response time, and maintain accurate airport and runway aeronautical data.

Applies knowledge of FAA's policies and objectives to identify, define, and organize resources for large projects/programs/work activities. Acquires and allocates resources to accomplish activities within established schedules and budgetary requirements. Applies knowledge of the airport airspace environment to evaluate aeronautical studies of proposed or actual construction, alterations, activation and deactivation of airports to determine the effects of the proposal on the safe and efficient use of airspace by aircraft and the safety of persons and property on the ground; and issues agency determinations. Applies knowledge of the airport airspace environment to evaluate aeronautical studies of proposed construction or alteration on public-use airports (not included in the NPIAS) to determine if the proposed construction or alteration would constitute a hazard to air navigation; and issues agency determinations.

Contacts are internal and external. Often represents the major subdivision and LOB/SO as a principal point of contact to provide advice and guidance on the applications of policies and procedures. Formulates and recommends to senior management positions on major projects/ policies/issues. Prepares, reviews, and recommends approvals of major reports on projects, programs and other work activities for internal and external distribution. Develops briefings to convey strategic vision and/or organizational policies to internal and external audiences. Serves as the Airports Division's Point of Contact (POC) for resolving internal conflicts for both Obstruction Evaluation (OE) and Non-Rulemaking Airport (NRA) cases prior to formulation of the Agency's final determination. Collaborates with the FAA's Obstruction Evaluation Group (OEG) to continuously improve and streamline Obstruction Evaluation (OE) reviews by the FAA's Office of Airports staff.

Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for addressing issues but often require the development of new approaches. Often asked to develop new policies, procedures, and approaches that take into consideration FAA policies, Government-wide rules and regulations, and external concerns. May create new solutions and policy interpretations, as situations require.

Work typically is reviewed only at completion for success in achieving planned results.

Department of Transportation