Aviation Safety Inspector serving as a technical expert and advisor on assigned manufactured or modified unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft, and associated systems for the Emerging Technologies Division, Evaluation Branch, AFS-720.
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, and must meet all of the following requirements: Have 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; Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); 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. In addition, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of aircraft must: Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) regulations; and Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA. When the predominant work involves air carrier avionics, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements. Aircraft avionics experience involving the maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of installed avionics systems on aircraft. Avionics maintenance experience on aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight. Aircraft avionics work experience (which could include supervision or auditing) in a repair station; air carrier repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency within the last 3 years. When the predominant work involves general aviation avionics, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements. Aircraft avionics experience involving the maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of installed avionics systems on aircraft. Aircraft avionics work experience (which could include supervision or auditing) in a repair station; air carrier repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency within the last 3 years. Note - Recency is waived for applicants currently in the 1825 series. 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 grade levels. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Experience includes expert knowledge of and experience with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for FAA field personnel and the public governing all matters to unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft safety issues. In addition to the above, this vacancy has a Quality Ranking Factor, listed below. Applicants who meet this factor will be placed in a Well Qualified category. This factor is also listed under the Other Factors section. Knowledge of FAA certification requirements with an emphasis on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)/Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) integration and exemption policy and process concerning UAS. For Lateral Movements Between 1825 Specialties: 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://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/3410.26.pdf. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
Provides electrical and electronic systems representation in all phases of developmental work involved during and prior to certification and subsequent to placing such unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft and associated systems into service. The work of this position has considerable impact on the level of safety for industry operation of the aircraft. Serves as a consultant with respect to technical matters pertaining to airborne instrument performance requirements, instrument test equipment, software/hardware development and enhancement, maintenance, and alteration standards used within area of responsibility. Reviews and evaluates the reliability and operating history of avionics equipment used in assigned aircraft. This involves the review of various data for risk-based analysis and takes appropriate action. Such action may result in recommendations for reduced overhaul times, revised procedures, issuance of airworthiness directives, and issuance of alert bulletins. Participates in Type Certification Board in making decisions related to the avionics equipment and airborne instruments of aircraft produced by aircraft manufacturers. Serves as a member on the Maintenance Review Board (MRB) evaluating and presenting avionics and/or electrical systems impact or requirements. Provides technical advisory service relative to unique and unusually complex electrical/electronic equipment and system designs. Participates in the development and establishment of national and international standards, procedures and airworthiness criteria tailored especially to meet the requirements and conditions considered necessary to assure effectiveness of the design for assigned aircraft. Manages team efforts with respect to the development of agency avionics and airborne instrument airworthiness criteria. Relates the assigned aircraft manufacturer's maintenance programs for the aircraft avionics/airworthiness, to the aviation industry, with particular emphasis on assuring realistic, economically feasible, and technically practical programs of airworthiness assurance, which may be applied by the industry. Familiarizes and applies knowledge of operating rules under development but not yet written by Flight Standards. Engages frequently with policy groups internal to Flight Standards to ensure that type certificated unmanned aircraft, urban air mobility and optionally piloted aircraft will be able to operate in the National Airspace System (NAS) with the need for limited exemptions as rule making continues. This prevents the scenario where an unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, optionally piloted aircraft and associated systems are type-certificated and found not to be operationally suitable under current applicable regulations. Establishes contacts at all levels within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Contacts involve industry representatives including pilots, operators and/or personnel in charge of flight-testing for aircraft manufacturers. Contacts are also with foreign government aviation officials and manufacturers on an international basis. Contacts will be for coordinating and resolving problems imposed by certification and operations requirements, coordinating equipment and training requirements, and for the exchange of essential information. Participates in industry and aviation meetings and represents the Flight Standards Service on assigned matters. Develops and implements special operations projects as required to accomplish program objectives. Recommends technical program or policy changes as appropriate. Provides expert consultation in support of accident or incident investigations, analysis, and implementation of corrective actions related to unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft and associated systems. Performs other duties as assigned.