Aviation Safety Inspector (Senior Technical Advisor)

Summary

Incumbent is an aviation safety inspector and serves as the Senior Technical Advisor to the Director and/or a Division Manager in one of the four functional offices of Flight Standards (Air Carrier Safety Assurance, General Aviation Safety Assurance, Safety Standards, and Foundational Business).

Duties

• Provides both technical and analytical direction to Air Carrier Safety Assurance (ACSA) senior management on complex, critical, and sensitive technical, organizational, and program management issues in direct support of mission-critical assignments throughout the organization. Develops and recommends solutions to current problems and anticipates problems across organizational lines and disciplines. Most issues are addressed independently, with sensitive matters coordinated with and elevated to senior management as appropriate. Works independently and collaboratively to design, develop, and conduct a variety of complex studies related to goals, objectives, plans, policies, standards, and operating procedures, focusing on aviation safety and airworthiness and operational rules. These studies provide data-supported recommendations to enhance management and leadership decision-making. Serves as a consultant to senior, middle, and front-line management on matters related to developing and implementing management tools needed to oversee various programs. Offers advice, guidance, leadership, and direction to senior management, division managers, and field offices on creating and applying effective policies, procedures, and processes. Acts as a coach or trusted counselor/mentor to employees throughout the organization when requested or as directed by management. Utilizes core mutual learning principles to achieve results that include high performance, improved relationships, and individual satisfaction. Capitalizes on prior experience and expert technical knowledge to perform critical tasks requiring the development of new concepts, systems, or innovative approaches. Incumbent performs assignments that are of such breadth, diversity, and intensity that involve numerous complex features to assure that organizations meet applicable 14 CFR Part 121 and 125 Federal Aviation safety regulations. Interprets, audits, evaluates, and analyzes business operations practices related to aviation systems and operators. Provides expert guidance and instruction to address diverse, complex issues that often cross multiple projects/programs or functional/technical areas. Maintains a high level of awareness of current Flight Standards technical, organizational, and administrative programs and activities relating to certification, surveillance, investigation, and inspection. Uses broad discretion to ensure alignment of organizational goals and policies and the requirements of the projects and/or other work activities. Maintains knowledge of other FAA and DOT regulatory and technical programs, procedures, activities, and accomplishments that interface with the Flight Standards Service mission and strategic management plan. Applies a comprehensive knowledge of the appropriate specialization and a broad knowledge of the Aviation Safety (AVS) mission and goals to assigned programs and areas of responsibility. Work is considered technically authoritative and is normally accepted without change. Completed work may be reviewed for adherence to FAA policy and for assurance that project requirements have been fulfilled. Contacts are primarily with officials at the field and national levels. Occasional contact external to the agency may also occur. Utilizes a wide range of automation tools to perform duties and activities. Performs additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements for an Aviation Safety Inspector in the 1825 series as outlined in the OPM qualification standards or Human Resource Policy Manual Policy Chapter Supplements. General Requirements for All Positions: Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years; Valid State driver's license; Fluency in the English language; No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and 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: Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted) without strain; Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or 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 aircraft must: Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) regulations; and 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, Training, And Certification Requirements For Specific Positions: Applicants must meet specific requirements as outlined in the Office of Personnel Management Aviation Safety Series, Qualification Standards for Operations, Avionics, and Maintenance Specialties or Human Resource Policy Manual Policy Chapter Supplements for Aircraft Dispatch, and Cabin Safety specialties. Information may be found on the following website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1800/aviationsafety-series-1825/ https://employees.faa.gov/org/staffoffices/ahr/program_policies/policy_guidance/hr_policies/hrpm/emp/emp_sup/emp-1-7_1825AD/ https://employees.faa.gov/org/staffoffices/ahr/program_policies/policy_guidance/hr_policies/hrpm/emp/emp_sup/emp-1-7_1825CS/ Note - Recency of specialized experience and the need for a valid second-class FAA medical certificate is waived for employees currently in the 1825 series. Specialized experience: To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience at the 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 includes analyzing aviation safety programs to ensure compliance with federal and agency regulations, programs, procedures, and safety standards governing air operations. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Requirements

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

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.