Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft-Helicopter) (Principal Operations Inspector (POI))

About the role

The Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft-Helicopter), Principal Operations Inspector (POI), functions as the primary interface between assigned air operators/agencies/airmen/designees and the Federal Aviation Administration.

The inspector will have program responsibility to assure that assigned organizations meet Federal Aviation Regulations with respect to primarily helicopter operations programs.

What you will do

• The Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft-Helicopter) functions as the primary interface between assigned air operators/agencies/airmen/designees and the Federal Aviation Administration.
• Has program responsibility to assure that assigned organizations meet Federal Aviation Regulations with respect to helicopter operations programs.
• Incumbent determines the need for, and then establishes work programs for surveillance and inspection of assigned organizations within manpower and budget limitations to assure adherence to the applicable regulations.
• Assures on a continuing basis that assigned organizations are properly and adequately organized, staffed, and equipped; have and conduct an adequate training program, including an acceptable record keeping system; and have facilities and procedures that meet all regulatory requirements.
• Resides as a member of FAA-Industry meetings; maintains regular contact with organizations assigned; and correction of any deficiencies/discrepancies and refuses or withdraws approval if they cannot be resolved.
• Is responsible for the conduct of enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition.
• Performs the emergency suspension of certificates or cancellations of rotorcraft-helicopter specifications.
• Conducts or directs the reexamination of certificated airmen or recertification of an operator or agency.
• Conducts investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries, and rotorcraft-helicopter incidents and accidents.
• Provides verbal and/or written technical assistance to legal counsel, testifies at court trials, and formal hearings and gives depositions.
• Coordinates Minimum Equipment List (MEL) approvals with the Principal Airworthiness Inspectors.
• Takes enforcement action in instances of noncompliance with the MEL.
• Coordinates with geographic inspectors for the accomplishment of nonroutine air carrier surveillance.
• Approves/accepts or disapproves/rejects manuals and revisions to such manuals.
• May require amendments to previously approved manuals to accomplish the following: correct any conflict with the regulatory requirements; eliminate unsafe practices; and/or improve the specificity of instruction.
• Evaluates training programs to insure that they meet the requirements of the Federal Aviation regulations.
• Approves or disapproves these training programs including flight simulators, training devices, or other such equipment used in these programs.
• Approves/disapproves designation of check airmen and makes recommendations on the appointment of designees.
• Evaluates operations and facilities by on-site inspections and review of reports by geographic inspectors or others.
• Negotiates changes essential or desirable in their policies and procedures.
• Determines the appropriate methods and/or plans for securing corrective action and determines through on-site inspection or inspector reports the effectiveness of any action.
• Evaluates and approves/disapproves requests to operate under conditions not previously authorized and may prescribe additional conditions and limitations as appropriate.
• Approves the original issuance of operations specifications and issues original operating certificates.
• Approves amendments to operations specifications.
• Evaluates the safety of proposed changes in route or airport authorizations; prescribes and changes required before approval.
• Participates in proving flight evaluations to determine compliance with FARs.
• Recommends changes that will be required prior to approval.
• Is responsible for monitoring all phases of operations including: training programs and records; base and station facilities; and route systems.
• The incumbent will be required to participate in the flight program as an aircrew member and, FAA as such, must meet medical and flight currency requirements as set forth in agency orders governing the operation of rotorcraft-helicopter.
• May be assigned other duties and responsibilities which are non-grade controlling.

Requirements

• We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

Education

Education may not be substituted for experience.

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

• All FAA employees MUST submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50).
• See below for required information needed on SF-50.
• REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR ROTORCRAFT-HELICOPTER: 1.
• Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating with Instrument Rating (OR) Airline Transport Pilot with Helicopter Rating, And 2.
• Flight Instructor Certificate Rotorcraft Helicopter (OR) Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter Rating; AND 3.
• Valid second-class FAA Medical Certificate Form(s) may be uploaded to your on-line application or submitted by mail or fax.
• If you choose to submit the form via fax, we cannot guarantee timely receipt or assume responsibility for the quality or legibility of the form.
• Illegible forms will result in loss of consideration.
• Mailed or faxed forms should be addressed to the agency point of contact listed in this vacancy announcement.
• 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 ***
• Forms: FAA-3330-473 : 2181/1825 Supplemental Qualifications Statement

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. *** This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.

Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing. NOTE: Successful completion of a Transition Check Ride may be required 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 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 and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Leadership and Management Dimensions 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. One, some, all or none of the applicants may be interviewed.

Security Requirements: Moderate (5): This position requires completion & favorable adjudication of a Tier 2 (T2) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained and approved. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA