Aviation Safety Inspector (Principal Avionics Inspector - Air Carrier)

Job Description

Summary

The Principal Avionics Inspector (PAI) is responsible for the oversight and safety assurance of a full range of certification, surveillance, compliance, enforcement, and inspection duties for assigned air carrier, airmen, and designees. Responsible for ensuring that the assigned organization meets Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) with respect to the Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program (CAMP).

Duties

The PAI is responsible for aviation safety activities in a complex and dynamic air carrier aviation environment that includes experience in the following specialties: Avionics. Applies an advanced knowledge of the technical aspects of the work directed and ensures the promotion of the highest level of safety compliance with regulatory standards while utilizing transparency of data exchange that includes the identification of hazards and management of risk. As the principal representative in regulatory surveillance and risk management of air carrier activities, exercises full certificate authority over a major air carrier with very extensive and complex operations. Analyzes operations involving large fleets of turbojet aircraft engaged in large-scale passenger and freight service. The magnitude, intensity, and scope of program responsibility require significant and regular assistance of managers, inspectors, and administrative staff. Plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work. Provides policy assistance to field level Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) on difficult or complex policy interpretations. Assignments involve wide responsibility for application of expert knowledge of advanced multi-engine turbojet aircraft and concerned with all aspects of the assigned operator¿s CAMP. Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity and the organizations monitored are major factors in the industry. Accomplishes work activities within established schedules, analyzes program requirements, and makes or directs adjustments as necessary to address organizational needs. Decisions typically have a broad impact on the operation of a particular type of advanced aircraft and have a significant effect on the safety of the flying public. Contacts with key officials are frequent and critically important for their assigned certificate. Maintains lines of communication to resolve issues that affect the certification and modifications of aircraft programs, their effect on safety management, and compliance with regulations. Typical contacts involve dealings with Part 119 officials, the accountable executive for SMS, and members of middle management, as well as collaboration with representatives of other government agencies (e.g., DoD and TSA), and representatives of other civil aviation authorities. Adheres to established laws, orders, policies, and regulations that provide general guidance for completing work objectives. Applies resourcefulness, initiative, and judgment based on experience to develop and implement evaluation procedures to address problems where precedents are not applicable. Methods, practices, or decisions may be used as guidance in similar problem areas. Informs front-line management of the status of all programs and projects and is accountable for the technical accuracy, proper coordination, and timeliness of completed staff work. Aids and serves as an advisor to office management on all matters of assigned tasking. Assists in the preparation of a variety of technical and priority correspondence to leadership, the aviation industry, other governmental agencies, members of Congress, and the public. Assures that correspondence is properly coordinated, technically and grammatically accurate, clear and concise, and that it reflects the philosophy, policies, and objectives of Flight Standards and the FAA. Performs other duties as required.

Conditions of Employment

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

How You Will Be Evaluated

IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent. Ingrade/Downgrade will be accepted. All or none of the candidates may be interviewed. 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)/Leadership and Management Dimension (LMD) 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/LMD. In lieu of providing a KSA NARRATIVE response in the text box listed below each KSA/LMD, in your work history on your resume/application, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA/LMD. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Please also ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job); Duties (be specific in describing your duties); Employer's name and address; Supervisor name and phone number; Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008); Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week); & Salary. Determining length of Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible due to an incomplete application. Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.

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. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

How to Apply

Applicants may be required to complete one or multiple assessments as part of the evaluation process. This assessment aims to evaluate the competencies and qualifications essential for the position. You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register. RESUMES ARE LIMITED TO TWO PAGES. IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC AND INCLUDE INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO THE QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION. Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job) Relevant work experience: should align to the Job Announcement and address all required qualifications and include job title, employer name, start/end dates, number of hours worked per week. Education, certification or licensure: If required, education should include school/institution name, completion date, degree type and GPA. Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible. You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies.

Required Documents

All applicants MUST provide a copy of their most recent SF-50 as required below. If you are an FAA employee, you MUST provide a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) containing information in Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 so it can be used to verify your position title, series, grade, tenure, and organization of record by the closing date of the announcement. You may fax your SF-50 or upload it into the on-line application. If faxing the SF-50, please ensure you include the vacancy announcement number on the faxed copy. If you are an FAA employee, you can access and print your SF-50 from the eOPF system https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/.

What to Expect Next

Once we receive your complete application, the Human Resources Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Eligible and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You will be contacted directly if selected for an interview. For instructions on how to check the status of your application, please go to: USAJOBS Help Guide. Important - If you make any changes to your application, you must resubmit it. If you make changes to your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and only your previously submitted application will be evaluated. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.

About the Agency

At the FAA, the sky is not the limit—it is just the beginning. Exciting new opportunities are emerging in aviation and aerospace. Significant investments are advancing the research and development of autonomous vehicles, environmentally friendly electric aircraft, high-speed and long-endurance solar-powered aircraft, and new types of space vehicles. Success with these new technologies and vehicle types will introduce new ways to transport people and goods expanding aviation's footprint in transportation. People are our strength. We are a diverse workforce of over 44,000 located nationwide and spanning over 120 occupations to include air traffic control specialists, aviation safety inspectors, engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals. Join us in our mission to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements for an Aviation Safety Inspector in the 1825 series as outlined in the OPM qualification standards. The minimum eligibility requirements for this position are below or may be found on the following link: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1800/aviation-safety-series-1825/ 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. Aviation Safety Inspector positions have job-related medical requirements. When applicable, applicants must meet job-related medical requirements which will be assessed and validated during the pre-employment process. These medical requirements include: Aviation Safety Inspector Medical Requirements: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following requirements: 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); Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and 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 to meeting the minimum requirements, applicants for the FG-13 level must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression (GS/FG-12 or Pay Band H). Specialized experience may include: *Reviews and determines the adequacy of manuals for compliance with CFRs. *Monitors all phases of avionics on behalf of the principal inspector to include facilities, equipment, programs and records. *Evaluates operations and facilities throughout the geographical area by periodic on-site inspections and the review of inspectors reports. *Responsible for the conduct of enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition. (Recency of specialized experience is waived for current FAA employees in the 1825 series, if applicable.) Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. For Lateral Movements Between 1825 Specialties: For Lateral Movements between 1825 Specialties: To assist in determining qualification requirements, applicants transferring between specialties at the same grade level are strongly encouraged to complete the appropriate Qualifications Assessment Tool (QAT) check sheet and upload it along with their resume. Check sheets are contained in Order 3410.26, Flight Standards Service Air Carrier and General Aviation Qualifications Assessment Tool for AFS Aviation Safety Inspectors found using this link https://my.faa.gov/org/linebusiness/avs/offices/afx/tools/qat.html