These positions will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit. This position provides Regional leadership in aviation safety program management including accident prevention and investigation, trend analysis, and aviation safety education and promotion. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Tiffany Counts at tiffany.counts@usda.gov
In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GW-12: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GW-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that demonstrated a knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience are: Independently planning and carrying out a full range of regulatory enforcement duties of a recurring nature, such as compliance inspections of aviation related activities; conducting field inspections and in-depth investigations for specific aviation related enforcement cases, such as transportation of hazardous materials; assisting in developing new or proposed aviation policies, procedures, and guidelines; assisting in aviation safety operations, including researching of data, policy, procedures and requirements as they pertain to aviation; performing basic systems inspection on light single - or twin-engine airplanes and/or helicopters to confirm aircraft readiness for flight operations according to prescribed preflight checks. For the GW-13: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GW-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that demonstrated a knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience are: Serving as a technical consultant in aviation safety operations and provided interpretation of data, policy, procedures and requirements as they pertain to aviation. Providing technical advice and assistance to individuals and organizations both inside and outside the immediate organization and the agency concerning legislation and regulations in aviation safety operations. Assisting in planning and coordinating special safety studies to determine the degree of hazard involved in various highly hazardous activities such as aerial firefighting, smokejumping, and helicopter night operations. Selective Placement Factors: At a minimum, the incumbent must either hold a private pilot's license. OR Experience as a pilot or crew member, or in aviation operations management/flight program management. OR Graduate of an aviation safety officer course provided by a recognized training provider and authority in aviation safety before appointment, or within one year after appointment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336 (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions. Firefighter retirement coverage of the incumbent depends upon his or her individual work history. To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Duties listed are at full performance grade GW-13 level.
Serves as principal aviation safety advisor to the Region in the development and implementation of policies, programs, and standard practices for aviation programs, and specialized projects, including policy, objectives, budget, and work priorities.
Provides safety assurance through inspections and program reviews of aviation activities to determine compliance with standards and guidelines. Plans, develops, and advises the field on enforcement of safety regulations and practices.
Prepares comprehensive technical reports with details documenting analysis of aircraft accidents.
Reviews, investigates, and analyzes data from accident reports to determine trends as a basis for developing plans for their prevention and as a basis for modifying the National and Regional safety program.
Provides oversight and expertise in contract specifications regarding SMS and in evaluating vendor proposals.
Develops and implements a Regional Aviation Safety Management Systems Program.