The Aviation Safety Inspector (Cabin Safety) serves as a resource and technical authority in an assigned field office on cabin safety requirements as they relate to work activities affecting civil aviation. Provides technical support regarding cabin safety for assigned air carriers and air operators. Ensures assigned operators comply with applicable Federal Aviation Regulations, FAA policy and guidance and approved programs.
Medical Requirements: 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: A. Have a 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; B. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); C. 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. Qualifications Assessment Tool (QAT) : To assist in determining qualification requirements, applicants transferring between specialties at the same grade level are strongly encouraged to complete the appropriate Qualifications Assessment Tool (QAT) check sheet and upload it along with their resume. Check sheets are contained in Order 3410.26, Flight Standards Service Air Carrier and General Aviation Qualifications Assessment Tool for AFS Aviation Safety Inspectors. This order is located at: https://employees.faa.gov/org/linebusiness/avs/offices/afs/tools/qat/. To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience at the FV-H, FG/GS-12 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 may include but not limited to: conducting flight attendant training as required by appropriate FAR and FAA approved training program, conducting investigations of public complaints, congressional inquires and aircraft incidents and accidents, conducting enforcement investigations and preparing final reports and recommendations on disposition. Monitoring and evaluating training programs conducted by the company to ensure compliance with the FAR's national and regional directives and safe operating practices. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. 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.
II. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the general direction of the Supervisory Principal Inspector or Front Line Manager, accomplishes the following duties: A. Technical Administration Develops a work program to ensure periodic surveillance of training instructors, company training programs and all phases of air carrier cabin safety operations. This work is often done across multiple fleets of aircraft in an operator’s fleet. Contacts are with individuals throughout the certificate holder's company, which may include flight attendants, training program managers, center directors, and upper management. Within the agency, there is frequent contact with Aviation Safety Inspectors in other specialties and offices, as well as field and Safety Standards personnel. The purpose of these contacts is to elicit information, provide feedback, request alterations or modifications, communicate findings or resolve issues and problems. Determines through surveillance and investigation that the training facilities are properly and adequately organized and equipped. staffed-with appropriately qualified instructors, and conduct flight attendant training as required by appropriate Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) and FAA approved training programs. Serves as the technical advisor to the Principal Operations Inspector (POI) on assigned areas of the company's training program. Coordinates technical instructions, policy orders and procedures through the POI and related FAA personnel to ensure standardization of training activities. Conducts investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries and aircraft incidents and accidents. Conducts enforcement investigations and prepares final reports and recommendations on disposition. Provides verbal and/or written technical assistance to legal counsel, testifies at court trials and formal hearings and gives depositions. Participates in special projects within the FAA to improve cabin safety procedures and policies. Conducts evaluations, assessments, and interviews with National Headquarters and industry participants. Develops recommendations and prepares summary reports on findings. Serves as a National Resource and will be used to participate in programs/projects sponsored by FAA Headquarters. B. Certification Participates on domestic and international committees in the evaluation of air carrier certification of new type aircraft. Evaluates the air carriers proposed certification plan of new type of aircraft and prepares critique of this surveillance and reports the outcome to the POI. Performs initial certification of new operators in all cabin safety related areas. Reviews all documents and evaluates all plans to ensure compliance with the CFR's, FAA policy and guidance. May provide support to other certificate holders during the certification process. Reviews and recommends approval or disapproval of manuals and revisions to manuals related to assigned cabin safety programs. C. Surveillance Monitors and evaluates training programs by the company to ensure compliance with the CFRs, national and regional directives, and safe operating practices. Recommends changes to these training programs including cabin simulators, training devices, or other such equipment. May recommend amendments to previously approved manuals to correct any conflict with regulatory requirements, eliminate unsafe practices, and/or improve the specificity of instructions. Attends FAA and company operations meetings. Evaluates cabin simulators, training devices and other training aids to ensure compliance with original approval. Evaluates operations and facilities by on-site inspections and by reviewing reports by geographic inspectors. Identifies trends which indicate deterioration in cabin safety functions and recommends corrective action. Participates in cabin safety related incident/accident investigations of assigned air carriers