Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) (Air Carrier Operations)

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Aviation Safety (AVS), Flight Standards Service, Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, Flight Research and Analysis Branch (AFS-430). The incumbent is the technical expert for the development of technical and scientific standards, programs, policies, procedures, and flight deck criteria pertaining to all aspects of 14 CFR Part 121 flight operations and advanced technologies in transport and non-transport category aircraft.

Duties

Plans and accomplishes highly complex and challenging flight research projects and other work activities applying technical and operational knowledge. Initiates, organizes, and oversees major technical and scientific studies in safety critical and controversial problem areas having national and international ramifications. Areas such as the impact of flight display systems, advanced flight deck design, flight deck crewmember interface, instrument procedure design, instrument procedure charting, and air traffic airspace designs on aircraft operations under all weather conditions within the National Airspace System (NAS). Supports and aids in the development of special flight technical concepts, policies, standards, criteria, procedures, guidance and rules and recommends final approval or disapproval of operators, aircraft, and equipment for these operations. Determines the need for Federal Aviation requirements pertaining to navigation systems, flight procedures, and flight operations. Additionally, recommends research and development requirements for new or revised navigation systems, operational procedures and aircraft equipment and develops policy and criteria for use of these systems. Provides aviation safety oversight and surveillance work relative to flight operations and procedures in the NAS. Implements emerging CNS technology including new operational concepts, systems, equipment, and procedures for new aircraft, earth/space-based navigation and communications systems, airspace systems, or airport facilities and equipment, works to develop national procedures and policy. Uses in-depth technical expertise and high-level specialized knowledge to conceptual and advanced aircraft operational standards, flight guidance and management systems, flight display and avionics systems, procedure design, development initiatives, and operational approvals for flight procedures and technologies. Creates experimental theories and new developments to problems not susceptible to treatment by traditional methods or precedents. Reviews and validates design principles, operational procedures, and guidance for flight crew systems, including evaluation of innovative crew interface and interaction concepts in piloted simulation to assess the benefits and liabilities of projected concepts. Identifies, develops, directs, and may conduct training for advanced flight technologies and flight procedures. Serves as a simulator project pilot assigned to critical, Agency-level research projects requiring intense system and pilot knowledge of Boeing and/or Airbus aircraft. Applies in-depth technical expertise related to FAA NextGen air traffic and flight operations applications. Reviews flight parameters through statistical applications in consideration of flight track data to determine individual and collective effect of measurable factors. Maintains knowledge of aircraft operations, usage of instrument approach charts, and interface of navigation systems with instrument operations. Possesses a high degree of competence using sophisticated research facilities, such as piloted aircraft simulators, in order to evaluate operational and procedural performance elements. Maintains knowledge of current government and industry research and development programs with emphasis on those pertaining to new aviation applications, procedures, and technologies. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

Qualifications

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: 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, 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, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of the aircraft must: Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with 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: Provide documentation from a board-certified physician certifying that they meet the minimal medical requirements; or 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: When the predominant work involves general aviation operations, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) positions must meet all of the following requirements: Valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate with single and multi-engine airplane and instrument airplane ratings.Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in an aircraft. Professional flying skills as demonstrated in a flight check to Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument rating; Possession of Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating. Minimum of 100 flight hours within the last 3 years. Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours. Possession of single and multi-engine land airplane ratings. Not more than 2 flying accidents in the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved. Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate. When the predominant work involves air carrier operations, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) positions must meet all of the following requirements: At least 1 year of pilot experience in multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight; Not more than 2 flying accidents during the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved; Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a simulator check to Airline Transport Pilot Standard. Minimum 100 flight hours during the last 3 years; Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating. Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate; and Minimum 1,500 total flight hours. 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-13. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Specialized experience includes. Experience reflecting knowledge of Part 121 flight procedures and operations in a new generation aircraft. ALSO Quality Ranking Factor (QRF): Well qualified candidates will possess a Type Rating in Boeing 737 series and/or Airbus 320/330 series aircrafts. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Recency of specialized experience requirements (100 flight hours within the last 3 years) and second-class medical is waived for current and former FAA employees in the 1825 series (this covers internal placement actions including promotions, reassignments, voluntary changes to lower grades, transfers or reinstatements to same or lower grade that currently or previously held).

Education

Education is not qualifying for this position and may not be substituted for experience. 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 may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) 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.

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.

Required documents

Supporting documents must be uploaded to your application or emailed to [email protected] on or before the closing date of this announcement. Please include your name and the vacancy announcement number and redact all Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as social security number and date of birth. Applicants MUST submit a copy of their certificates/licenses/FAA Form 3330-47-3 unless they are currently occupying an Operations 1825 series position. If the back side of the license contains the ratings, be sure to copy both sides. All forms/certificates/licenses must be submitted by closing date of announcement to receive consideration. Failure to do so will result in your application being rated incomplete. Applicants claiming eligibility for the Expanded Veterans Hiring Opportunity (EVHO), MUST submit a DD Form 214 reflecting character of service to verify eligibility by the closing date of the announcement as requested by the Human Resource Office. Eligibility for EVHO will be considered based on applicable documentation submitted by the closing date. If you are a current or former Federal employee (including a current 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 a current Federal employee and need a current copy of your SF-50, please contact your personnel office. If you are an FAA employee, you can access and print your SF-50 from the eOPF system https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/. If you are a former Federal employee, you can obtain a copy of your SF-50 by writing the National Personnel Records Center Annex, 1411 Boulder Boulevard, Valmeyer, IL 62295. Additional information is available from this link: https://www.archives.gov/st-louis/opf. Expanded Veterans Hiring Opportunity (EVHO) are preference eligibles and veterans who are honorably discharged from the Armed Forces after completing at least three (3) years of continuous active service. Applicants claiming eligibility for EVHO, MUST submit a DD Form 214 reflecting character of service to verify eligibility by the closing date of the announcement as requested by the Human Resource Office. Eligibility for EVHO will be considered based on applicable documentation submitted by the closing date. Forms: FAA-3330-473 : 2181/1825 Supplemental Qualifications Statement

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.

Other 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 NOTES: Interviews: If the Agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed. If the selection list is shortened to a best qualified list through a comparative process, then the best qualified list shall be considered to be the selection list. In-grade/downgrade applications will be accepted. Applicants MUST submit a copy of their certificates/licenses/FAA Form 3330-47-3 unless they are currently occupying an Operations 1825 series position. If the back side of the license contains the ratings, be sure to copy both sides. All forms/certificates/licenses must be submitted by closing date of announcement to receive consideration. Failure to do so will result in your application being rated incomplete. Applicants must apply on-line to receive consideration for this vacancy announcement. Faxed, mailed, or emailed applications cannot be accepted. 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. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

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.