Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) for the Safety Assurance Branch, AFS-760. FLIGHT OVERSIGHT: Flight Oversight ASIs do not conduct certification (pilot evaluating, testing, and checking) job functions as a required crewmember, including safety pilot. Will not, in any scenario, act as a required crewmember or safety pilot of an aircraft. Flight Oversight ASIs apply a broad knowledge of the aviation industry, aviation safety, and Federal aviation laws, regulations, and policies.
General Requirements for All Positions: 1. Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years; 2. Valid State driver's license; 3. Fluency in the English language; 4. No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and 5. 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, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following requirements: 1. Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted); 2. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and 3. Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others 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 the aircraft must: 1. Possess a valid second – class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations; and 2. Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA. Applicants not requiring valid second-class medical certificates who are tentatively selected will be required to: 1. Provide documentation from a board-certified physician certifying that they meet the minimal medical requirements; or 2. Individuals who do not meet the minimum medical requirements but who are otherwise qualified assessment to determine whether they can perform the essential functions will receive an individualized of the position. Air Carrier (Flight Oversight) Aviation Safety Inspector Qualification Requirements. In addition to meeting the basic and medical requirements, applicants must meet the following additional qualification requirements: a. At least one year of pilot experience in multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight. b. Three years of experience working in an organization with an air carrier, commercial operator, or air agency certificate, an organization whose work led to the certification of individual airmen, or an organization that operated aircraft. At least one year of this experience must be with an organization that operated multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum takeoff weight. c. Minimum 1,500 total flight hours. d. Must hold a valid Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. e. Not more than two flying accidents during the last five years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved. General Aviation (Flight Oversight) Aviation Safety Inspector Qualification Requirements. In addition to meeting the basic and medical requirements, applicants must meet the following additional qualification requirements: a. Must hold a valid or expired Flight Instructor Certificate with an aircraft category rating or have experience serving as an instructor as part of an approved program or course (e.g., Title 14 CFR Part 121, 135, 141, or 142, or Uniformed Services) which provided instruction in an aircraft or an approved flight simulation training device representing an aircraft. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in an aircraft, an approved flight simulation training device representing an aircraft, or a combination of both. b. Must hold a valid Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument-airplane rating. c. Three years of experience working in an organization with an air carrier, commercial operator, or air agency certificate, an organization whose work has led to the certification of individual airmen, or an organization that operated aircraft. d. Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours. e. Possession of airplane category and single-engine and multi-engine land (airplane) ratings. f. Not more than two flying accidents in the last five years in which the applicant’s pilot error was involved. 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/GS-13. 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 includes mastery of, and skill in applying, laws and regulations to inspection, investigation, enforcement, and/or compliance work. Provide expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to agency management and other senior agents, officers, or inspectors on critical operations. Develop agencywide policies, procedures, and strategies. Knowledge of and extensive experience in General Aviation civil aircraft operations that includes familiarity with UAS Operations. Must be able to evaluate technical information and prepare technical investigative correspondence related to UAS operations. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
The incumbent is a Flight Standards (AFS) technical expert assigned to oversee, implement, and integrate Communication, Navigation and Surveillance flight operational technology and other associated Air Traffic Management and National Airspace System (NAS) programs. Maintains a continuing awareness of evolving flight operations technology and procedures and assure that the necessary technical concepts, standards, criteria, procedures, guidance, and rules are developed to permit the introduction of this technology in a timely and effective manner. He/she develops special flight technical concepts, policies, standards, criteria, procedures, guidance, and rules and recommends final approval or disapproval of operators, aircraft, and equipment for these operations. The incumbent determines the need for Federal Aviation requirements pertaining to navigation systems and flight operations. The inspector’s work directly affects critical objectives and programs of the line of business. Typical assignments include developing policy and guidance or serving as a primary technical specialist or as a technical trainer/instructor. Work also affects major components of the domestic and international aviation industries and other external organizations. Work may involve prototypes and state-of-the-art programs. He/she determines the need for and makes recommendations for new or amended regulations, policies, and procedures, and for research projects. Plans, directs, and monitors project activities to determine efficient and effective airspace operations. Defines, organizes, and assigns resources to accomplish organizational objectives. Allocates resources to accomplish complex work activities within established schedules. Incorporates strategic planning/initiatives, rulemaking and regulatory requirements, operational approval guidance, navigation system performance standards, internal/external studies, and recommendations from FAA-sponsored advisory committees to determine gaps in existing standards. The inspector interprets policy and provides guidance to lower-level inspectors on difficult or complex policy interpretations. The ASI is accountable for accomplishing work activities within established schedules. Conducts special studies, surveys, and evaluations of established technical policies, standards, programs, projects, and procedures to assure they are up to date with the latest aircraft and operational developments. Reviews and ensures the technical adequacy of safety regulatory material developed. Leads special project teams and technical review groups, which may consist of internal/external flight operation, air traffic control, airport operations, and other technical/analytical personnel. Expert knowledge is applied to identify and resolve highly complex problems that often cross organizational boundaries. Conducts special projects/studies and prepares staff studies and issue papers. Leads or participates on regional or national working groups and panels for the purpose of providing technical direction and resolving highly complex and controversial problems of critical importance to flight operations and safety. The inspector is expected to follow established laws, orders, policies, and regulations that provide general guidance for completing work objectives but is allowed considerable discretion to develop new or innovative approaches. The inspector uses resourcefulness, initiative, and judgment based on experience to develop and implement evaluation procedures to address problems where precedents are not applicable. Methods, practices, or decisions may be used as guidance in similar problem areas.