This position is located in the Office of Aviation Safety, Aviation Engineering Division in Washington, DC. The incumbent will participate and direct engineering aspects of general aviation and air carrier accidents involving safety issues associated with aircraft structures and their interface with control systems.
You must meet the "Education Requirements" and the "Specialized Experience" to qualify for this position as described below. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: GS-14: You MUST have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector). Specialized experience is defined as:(1) Detailed knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations requirements (Part 23, 25, and 43) or equivalent military specifications with aircraft structures engineering experience; (2) Thorough understanding of how to apply engineering concepts and principles to the design, testing, and evaluation of aircraft structures, and a working knowledge of the engineering aspects of aircraft systems and powerplants; (3) Strong communication skills and ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical and senior decision-makers; (4) Interprets engineering schematics and other technical documentation related to aircraft structures, and to uses these skills to develop recommendations to improve aviation safety, evaluate aircraft structures performance, determine aircraft structures potential failure modes and their characteristics, develop test plans and procedures for aircraft structures, and/or determine the system level effect of a known defect or problem within an aircraft structures; and (5) Communicates orally or in writing to establish and maintain effective collaborative working relationships in multi-agency investigations. For more information see link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/aerospace-engineering-series-0861/ 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 education, specialized experience and/or competencies will result in an "Ineligible" rating.
The ideal candidate for this position will have previous hands-on experience conducting engineering investigations of aircraft structural component failures; has experience with a variety (many) of different aircraft structural designs; has developed safety recommendations, has developed test plans to evaluate aircraft structures, and is comfortable working with and/or leading groups of diverse industry and government representatives. As an Aerospace Engineer (Structures), GS-0861-14, you will perform the following major duties: Participates and directs technical analyses of general aviation and air carrier accident and incidents in the specialty area of aircraft structures. Serves as Group Chair/Site Commander documenting and analyzing airworthiness and structural issues potentially involved in accidents and develop accident prevention strategies. Coordinates efforts with other Group Chair, the IIC, and the Team Lead to assure thoroughness of all investigations and that necessary documentation is accomplished as a result of the investigative activity. Assists the IIC and report writers in the preparation of the Safety Board's accident report with particular emphasis on the accuracy of factual information and the logic of analyses of the evidence from the investigation. Researches and develops appropriate safety recommendations to correct hazardous or unsafe conditions using information obtained in the course of investigations, personal observations, and knowledge of current aviation engineering trends and developments. Acts as an advisor to the U.S. Accredited Representative on foreign investigations. Makes presentations and respond to Member's questions at Board meetings following the conclusion of major investigations or projects. Work Environment: The incumbent supports major go-team launches as well as significant international investigations. Major go-team launch teams commonly travel on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) jet from Reagan National Airport within two hours after an accident notification is received. Timely arrival at the scene of a major accident allows for timely documentation of a wreckage; a delay in this effort can have significant impacts, such as impeding the re-opening of an airport. International travel by US Government employees frequently requires the issuance of a visa from the host country, which is most efficiently obtained at the embassies located in Washington, DC. Additionally, security concerns in many locations make it essential that the investigative team travel together. Physical Demands: Occasionally the aircraft wreckage may contain hazardous materials that may be burning by the time the investigator arrives on-the-scene. Therefore, the incumbent may be exposed to a variety of weather conditions and other environmental discomforts such as remote, rugged, snow, rain, temperature extremes, swampy or mountainous areas and hostile settings. Investigators may have to wear a hardhat, safety shoes, goggles, gloves, and other protective equipment.