Aviation Safety Inspector (General Aviation Avionics)

About the role

The Principal Avionics Inspector (PAI) serves as the primary avionics interface between assigned air carriers, air operators, air agencies, airmen, designees. and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Has program responsibility to assure that assigned organizations meet Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) with respect to operations programs governing all matters to general aviation avionics safety issues.

What you will do

• The PAI receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or functions.
• The PAI, mostly independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work.
• The PAI provides policy assistance to Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) on difficult or complex policy interpretations.
• The work is normally accepted without change.
• Completed work may be reviewed for adherence to FAA policy and for assurance that project requirements have been fulfilled.
• Some FG-14 assignments involve Service wide responsibility for application of expert knowledge of flight avionics for an advanced multiengine turbojet aircraft.
• Such employees are concerned with all aspects of the operational capabilities and limitations of the aircraft.
• ASIs at the FG-14 level establish technical procedures and performance indexes and review complete flight operations programs for leaders in the aviation industry, or organizations of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations.
• Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity.
• FG-14 employees evaluate flight operations programs for organizations which utilize complex aircraft, systems, and equipment.
• Because of organizational complexity or the advanced technology incorporated in the aircraft, systems, and equipment, employees must exercise originality to resolve unique problems.
• They frequently rely on engineers and designers for specific technical guidance although much of their work is carried out under very broad policy guidelines.
• Supervisors give FG-14 employees a wide leeway for independent action.
• Other inspectors seek their advice on problems relating to aircraft and their operation and maintenance.
• Because of the precedent-setting nature or substantial effect on the aviation industry or public safety, their decisions may be reviewed and approved at a higher policy-setting level.
• The PAI plans and directs the use of time and resources to accomplish organizational objectives.
• He or she defines, organizes, and uses resources to accomplish work activities within established schedules, analyzes program requirements and accomplishments, and makes or directs adjustments as necessary to address organizational needs.
• Decisions typically have broad impact on the operation, maintenance of a particular type of advanced aircraft, or a geographic area containing a variety of novel and/or complex aviation operations.
• Decisions also have a significant effect on the safety of the flying public.
• FG-14 employees have critically important and frequently controversial contacts with key officials of major manufacturers and general aviation organizations.
• Contacts are made to resolve issues which affect the initial certification or operations programs, and their effect on safety and compliance with regulations.
• The PAI provides guidance to field level staff to solve difficult technical issues.
• Resolves all but unique problems, with the intervention of management or a more experienced technical specialist.
• Develop plans, techniques, and policies to address current and anticipated problems and issues.
• Works with management to solve problems.
• Contacts are internal and external to the agency.
• The PAI occasionally represents the agency as a point of contact for policy development, inspection activities or as a technical trainer/instructor delivering formal training.
• Contacts vary significantly depending upon the purpose of the contacts, the level of authority required to resolve issues, and the nature of the technical problem at hand.
• Typical contacts involve dealings with members of senior management staffs, representatives of professional organizations, staff members of industry groups, representatives of other government agencies, and representatives of other civil aviation authorities.
• Performs other duties as required.

Requirements

• We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

Education

Education is not qualifying and cannot be substituted for this position.

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.

Documents you must provide

• You MUST submit a copy of your most recent (non-award) SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or equivalent document that verifies tenure (block 24, code 1 or 2).
• Failure to provide the required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in non-consideration for this position.
• Applicants must apply on-line, through USAJOBS, to receive consideration; Faxed, mailed or e-mailed applications cannot be accepted.
• If you need to submit additional documents to supplement your on-line application, e.g. transcripts, SF-50, or veterans' documentation, you may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS.
• Supplemental documentation can also be faxed to *** on or before the closing date of this announcement.
• Please include your name and the vacancy announcement number on each of your faxed pages and redact all Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as social security number and date of birth.
• 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 ***

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.

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. *** Current or Former Federal employee (including a current FAA employee): You MUST submit a copy of your most recent (non-award) SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or equivalent document that verifies tenure (block 24, code 1 or 2).

Failure to provide the required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in non-consideration for this position.

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 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 WORK HISTORY THAT DESCRIBES HOW YOU MEET THE ANSWER YOU CHOSE FOR EACH KSA.

Please include specific examples and details which illustrate your knowledge, skills, and abilities. Please include applicable date ranges. Security Requirement: This position requires completion & favorable adjudication of a Moderate Risk (5) Background Investigation (Tier 2) unless waiver is obtained.

This is a bargaining unit position, represented by the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (***). Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA