The positions are in the Office of Aviation Safety, located in either Federal Way, WA (WPR), Aurora, CO (CEN), or Washington, D.C. (ERA). The incumbent will have knowledge and experience of general aviation flight operations, maintenance and inspection of small aircraft and a strong working knowledge of civil aircraft accident investigation and aviation safety.
MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Minimum eligibility requirements for these positions are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements, meeting the appropriate education and/or experience requirements, and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the position. CERTIFICATES AND RATINGS: For all grades and specializations, applicants must possess a commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating, the appropriate military rating, or other certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements of the commercial pilot certificate, e.g., an airline transport pilot certificate. MINIMUM FLIGHT HOURS REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL APPLICANTS: Your resume must clearly state your hours of flight experience in each of the categories required for this announcement (total flight time, pilot-in-command, small airplane). If your resume does not contain this information, you will not be considered for the position. Category Flight Hours for GS-9 Flight Hours for GS-11 and above Total Flight Time 1,000 1,500 Pilot-in-Command 500 1,000 Small Airplanes 250 500 Flight Hour Type Definitions: (PLEASE LIST ALL OF THE FLIGHT TIMES IN YOUR RESUME) Total Flight Time -- Flight time as pilot-in-command in aircraft of any weight or category is creditable for this requirement. Each 2 hours acquired as a co-pilot, an FAA certificated flight engineer on a commercial air carrier, or a military flight officer on a military air carrier may be substituted for 1 hour of flight time in meeting the minimum total flight time requirements. Pilot-in-Command -- Only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable. Small Airplanes (gross weight less than 12,500 pounds). Hours may have been acquired as pilot-in-command or total flight time. OTHER REQUIREMENTS -- Valid State driver's license; (UPLOAD A COPY) -- Fluency in the English language; -- Applicants MUST possess a current first or second-class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations (both meet the intent of the requirement). The medical certificate must be valid and current as of the closing date for this announcement. (UPLOAD A COPY) -- Copies of the front and back of your Medical and Pilot certificates must be submitted. (UPLOAD A COPY) -- No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and -- High school graduate or equivalent. Interview: Before appointment, candidates are required to appear for an interview. The purpose of the interview is to determine whether candidates possess the personal characteristics necessary to perform the duties of aviation safety investigator positions successfully. Candidates will be questioned about information on their applications during the interview, and will be required to show appropriate certificates and log books. (PLEASE UPLOAD CERTIFICATES AND/OR LOG BOOKS) EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-09: To minimally qualify for the GS-09 level, the applicant must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level which demonstrates a basic knowledge of aviation accident investigation practices, procedures, and techniques as they apply to aircraft operated under 14 CFR Parts 91, 121, or 135. Examples include work acting as pilot of civil aircraft; and work examining/documenting/inspecting aircraft or reviewing aircraft or aviation personnel records. FOR GS-11: In addition, to minimally qualify for the GS-11 level, the applicant must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level which demonstrates a general knowledge of civil aviation and aviation accident investigation practices, procedures, and techniques as they relate to aircraft operated under 14 CFR Parts 91, 121, or 135. Examples include work examining/participating in the testing of aircraft systems or components; conducting interviews; examining parametric data obtained from operating aircraft; preparing written reports detailing the findings of aviation safety events; and taking action to rectify observed aviation safety deficiencies. FOR GS-12: In addition, to minimally qualify for the GS-12 level, the applicant must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level which demonstrates a detailed knowledge of civil aviation and aviation accident investigation practices, procedures, and techniques as they relate to aircraft operated under 14 CFR Parts 91, 121, or 135. Experience at this level would include working as an aircraft accident investigator for an organization that assists or is involved with supporting the conduct of on-scene civil aviation accident investigations overseen by the aviation investigative agency. NOTE: Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience and include the applicable civil FAR part for the work done by that operator (e.g., 14 CFR Part 91, 121, 135, etc.), as well as list all the civil aircraft types that you might have operated and/or maintained during employment. If applicable, your resume may also list additional experience obtained during military service, in addition to the required experience obtained in support of civil aircraft operations. If your resume does not contain all of this information, you will not be considered for the position. Education may not be used as an alternate means to meet the experience requirements of these positions. For more information see link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1800/air-safety-investigating-series-1815/ NOTE: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must clearly show the specialized experience and competencies related to this position. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the flight hours, medical certificate, specialized experience and/or competencies will result in an "Ineligible" rating.
(Aurora, CO) (GS-09-$68,138.00 to $88,577.00) (GS-11-$82,440.00 to $107,167.00) (GS-12-$98,811.00 to $128,460.00) (Federal Way, WA) (GS-09-$68,686.00 to $89,290.00) (GS-11-$83,104.00 to $108,029.00) (GS-12-$99,606.00 to $129,494.00) (Washington, DC) (GS-09-$69,923.00 to $90,898.00) (GS-11-$84,601.00 to $109,975.00) (GS-12-$101,401.00 to $131,826.00) As a Air Safety Investigator, GS-1815-9/11/ or 12, you will perform the following major duties: At the GS-09 level, typical duties may include: Conducting straightforward aviation accident/incident investigations of civil aircraft operated under 14 CFR Part 91, primarily involving small aircraft; Assisting with collection of and documenting factual information, data, and evidence relevant to aircraft accident/incident investigations; Conducting investigative interviews; Being trained in the preparation written reports of investigative activities. At the GS-11 level, in addition to duties at the lower grade level, typical duties may include: Conducting on-scene collection, verification, analysis, and evaluation of accident data; Preparing written reports of investigative activities in a timely manner and in accordance with agency policy and procedures; Researching and developing safety recommendations, corrective actions, and other necessary changes; Briefing industry stakeholders and the public of the facts and circumstances of an accident/incident and coordinating disaster assistance with family members. At the GS-12 level, in addition to duties at the lower grade level, typical duties may include: Conducting investigations of civil aircraft accidents and incidents that involve complex technical factors. Assisting with the investigation of major aircraft accidents and acting as a group chairman in support of such investigations. Physical Demands and Work Environment: The work includes a mixture of sedentary and physically demanding tasks. The incumbent must be available on a periodic on-call basis to triage incoming accident/incident notifications and to respond to the scene of aircraft accidents/incident. These on-scene responses they may require vigorous physical exertion and long hours. Accident/incident scenes may be located in austere environments, anywhere across the United States or overseas. Additionally, the incumbent may be exposed to a variety of weather conditions and other environmental discomforts, unforgiving topography, and debris hazards. Also, while risk assessments are made, appropriate mitigation measures taken, and personal protective equipment used, there remains the possibility of exposure to poisonous, explosive, or other hazardous materials associated with the accident sites to which the agency deploys.