The Principal Operations Inspector (POI) is responsible for the oversight and safety assurance of a full range of certification, surveillance, compliance, enforcement, and inspection duties for assigned air carrier, airmen, and designees.
Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirements for an Aviation Safety Inspector in the 1825 series for the Air Carrier specialty in accordance with the OPM qualification standards located at the following web address: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs1800/1825.htm 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: 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: 1. Have a 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; 2. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); 3. 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: 1. Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) regulations; and 2. Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA. When the predominant work involves air carrier operations, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) positions must meet all of the following requirements. 1. At least 1 year of pilot experience in multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight; 2. Not more than 2 flying accidents during the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved; 3. Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a simulator check to Airline Transport Pilot Standard. 4. Minimum 100 flight hours during the last 3 years; 5. Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating; 6. Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate; and 7. Minimum 1,500 total flight hours. In addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements, applicants must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (FG/GS-13 or pay band I) in the normal line of progression. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to experience identifying, analyzing, assessing and controlling hazards and risks of air carriers; assisting in preparing a Comprehensive Surveillance Plan (CSP) for an operator that conducts supplemental cargo operations to include field work concerning international operations; reviewing inspection reports to analyze root causes of system deficiencies; assisting in managing the Aircrew Designee Program; and providing oversight of and to include flight operations of carriers with turbo prop and/or turbo jet aircraft. Applicant must have experience compliance recommendation of operational activities for FAR Part 121 air carriers/air operators. Recency of specialized experience is waived for current and former FAA employees in the 1825 series. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. In-grade/downgrade applications will be accepted. 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/regulations_policies/orders_notices/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1021229
The POI is responsible for aviation safety activities in a complex and dynamic air carrier aviation environment that includes experience in the following specialties: Operations. Applies advanced knowledge of the technical aspects of the work directed and ensures the promotion of the highest level of safety compliance with regulatory standards while utilizing transparency of data exchange that includes the identification of hazards and management of risk. As the principal representative in regulatory surveillance and risk management of air carrier activities, exercises full certificate authority over a major air carrier with very extensive and complex operations. Analyzes operations involving large fleets of turbojet aircraft engaged in large-scale passenger and freight service. The magnitude, intensity, and scope of program responsibility require significant and regular assistance of managers, inspectors, and administrative staff. Plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work. The POI provides policy assistance to field-level Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) on difficult or complex policy interpretations. Assignments involve wide responsibility for the application of expert knowledge of advanced multi-engine turbojet aircraft and are concerned with all aspects of the operational capabilities and limitations of the aircraft. Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity, and the organizations monitored are major factors in the industry. Accomplishes work activities within established schedules, analyzes program requirements, and makes or directs adjustments as necessary to address organizational needs. Decisions typically have a broad impact on the operation of a particular type of advanced aircraft and have a significant effect on the safety of the flying public. Contacts with key officials are frequent and critically important for their assigned certificate. Maintains lines of communication to resolve issues that affect the certification and modifications of aircraft programs, their effect on safety management, and compliance with regulations. Typical contacts involve dealings with Part 119 officials, the accountable executive for SMS, and members of middle management, as well as collaboration with representatives of other government agencies (e.g., DoD and TSA), and representatives of other civil aviation authorities. Adheres to established laws, orders, policies, and regulations that provide general guidance for completing work objectives. The POI 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. Informs front-line management informed of the status of all programs and projects and is held accountable for the technical accuracy, proper coordination, and timeliness of completed staff work. The POI aids and serves as an advisor to office management on all matters of assigned tasking. Assists in the preparation of a variety of technical and priority correspondence to leadership, aviation industry, other governmental agencies, members of Congress, and the public. Assures that correspondence is properly coordinated, technically and grammatically accurate, clear and concise, and that it reflects the philosophy, policies, and objectives of Flight Standards and the FAA.