Aircraft Pilot (Direct Hire)

About the role

This position is located within the Aircraft Operations Division. As a Research Pilot/Aviation Safety Officer you will pilot aircraft used in research, development, flight training, and test programs.

You will assume the role of Aviation Safety Officer and Deputy Chief, Aviation Safety Office in which you will be responsible for the overall safe flight operations and maintenance of 26 aircraft, five different type aircraft, and over 60 active aircrew.

What you will do

• Serves as an instructor pilot aboard a high-performance jet trainer and performs classroom and simulator instructor duty in support of astronaut Space Flight Readiness Training.
• Serves as pilot-in-command or co-pilot aboard a large two-engine business jet and/or a large four engine turbo propeller cargo aircraft flying a variety of missions, requiring occasional extended domestic or overseas deployment.
• As pilot-in-command, responsible for managing up to 9 crew, supporting passengers during mission support operations, and/or engineers and scientists for airborne science missions.
• Serves as a safety team member reviewing engineering designs and operational readiness proposals that support research flight programs and airborne science missions using aircraft upgrades/modifications.
• Represents the Aviation Safety Office at Test Readiness Reviews, Flight Readiness Reviews, and Operational Readiness Reviews for modifications to division aircraft and deployment of personnel.
• Identifies aviation hazards and reports unsafe acts and procedures.
• Manages investigations of aircraft anomalies and mishaps.
• Key member in safety inspections and training of the Aircraft Operations Division.
• Manages all aspects of aviation safety matters.
• Provides monthly briefings to all aircrew on safety concerns, mishaps, close calls, and hazards.
• Communicates effectively with other military services, civilian aircraft producers, NASA Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, and Aircraft Operations Division leadership on safety concerns and mitigation strategies.

How you will be evaluated

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents).

For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website. You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement.

To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies: Advanced Technical Training Design Crew Systems and Aviation Operations Institutional Aircraft Operations Accident Investigation Decision Making Oral Communication Teamwork To preview the application questionnaire, click on the following link: *** NASA considers paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer.

If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: ***.

Documents you must provide

• All submitted resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length.
• Resumes longer than two pages will be rejected by USAJOBS.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize including experience and relevant qualifications that directly align with the position advertised.
• All work experience and accomplishments must be associated with dates (month/year) to allow for accurate qualification assessment.
• A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire.
• Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume.
• Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire.
• If you are using a Curriculum Vitae (CV) as a resume, it must meet all requirements listed above for a complete resume package.
• Please note: if any of the following types of information are included on your resume, your application package will be disqualified: Classified or government sensitive information.
• Social Security Number (SSN) Photos of yourself Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents If your resume contains any of the above information, you must redact that information prior to the submission of your application.
• The following documents are required: Professional License Professional Certification Resume There may be other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans preference, etc.), depending on your answers to the questionnaire and job announcement description, that you may need to submit, please verify your application.
• Do not submit your OF-306 with your application.
• If you are a surplus or displaced employee (CTAP and ICTAP), submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP.
• This includes copies of your agency notice, most recent Performance Rating and most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level, and duty location.
• Official documents are required at the time of appointment for verification of eligibility and qualifications.

What to expect next

Once you submit your application package, you will receive an acknowledgement email. Throughout the process you will receive regular status updates through USAJOBS. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (Account Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen.

The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: Application Status. Whether or not you are contacted for an interview depends upon the location of the position and the judgment of the hiring manager.

If you are selected, you will be notified by phone or email with a tentative job offer. If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing a scheduled appointment, we may rescind a tentative job offer. An official, written job offer will be issued once all requirements have been verified.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

For purposes of Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) selection priority, well-qualified is defined as possessing knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies which clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position, as determined through SME review of the resume/application.

If you have special priority selection rights under ICTAP, you must: Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. Exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position.

Submit proof that you meet the requirements for ICTAP as indicated in "Required Documents." For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click: ***

Any applicant that received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) from the federal government within the last five years based of the closing date of this announcement, if selected, may be required to repay the full amount prior to establishing a start date.

For additional information on the VSIP repayment requirement, click here - *** Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit.

Probationary Period You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.