Aviation Safety Inspector (AC or GA Flight Oversight)

Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent FAA employees.

Provides national aviation safety oversight of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) flight operational technology programs and associated ATM and NAS issues. Provides assistance and direction for Flight Standards and other FAA lines of business for CNS and associated ATM and NAS issues. Reviews, evaluates, analyzes, and develops national position and policy.

As a technical expert, is responsible for requests and developing special instrument flight procedures. Reviews requests, forwards valid request for development, participates in Procedures Review Board, reviews final product, coordinates with the stakeholders, and oversees issuance and implementation of procedure, and reviews procedure for appropriateness and recommend amendment as required.

As a technical expert for the implementation of emerging CNS technology including new operational concepts, systems, equipment and procedures for new aircraft, earth/space- based navigation and communications systems, airspace systems or airport facilities and equipment, works to develop national procedures and policy. The ASI conducts flight evaluations and/or enroute inspections to validate NAS user complaints, new flight operational technology, systems and procedures; and coordinates and develops Flight Standards comments for and approval of Surface Movement Guidance Control Systems.

Conducts Flight Standards evaluation and approval of category (CAT) II & III instrument landing systems to include airport coordination and planning meetings. Processes requests for waivers for IFP (Instrument Flight Procedures) standards, including CAT II & III instrument landing systems.

Conducts or directs airport/airspace evaluation proposals to address operational safety issues and prepares the consolidated position for Flight Standards.

Consolidates the Flight Standards position for an Air Traffic circularization of a Notice of Proposed Construction or Alternation. Coordinates this position with the appropriate flight standards district office or FAA lines of business concerning marking and lighting requirements.

Represents Flight Standards for acceptance of Airport Division Modifications to FAA Airport Standards that are related to the operational safety of aircraft and safety of persons and property on the ground.

Demonstrates mastery of and skill in applying laws and regulations to inspection, investigation, enforcement, and compliance work. This includes a comprehensive understanding of principles, concepts, processes, approaches, and techniques sufficient to develop agency-wide policies, procedures, and strategies. The position requires
the ability to provide expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to agency management and other senior agents, officers, or inspectors on critical operations.

The scope of work involves providing national aviation safety oversight of communication, navigation, and surveillance flight operational technology programs and associated ATM and NAS issues. Due to the program's breadth, the incumbent must address complex problems and/or initiatives crossing a range of program areas. Participation in national and international conferences, meetings, hearings, or presentations of considerable importance affecting aviation safety worldwide is required.

Performs other duties assigned.

Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
• Successful completion of a security investigation may be required.
• Please review Required Documents & Additional Information.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

a. Not more than two separate incidents involving Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations violations in the last five years;

b. Valid State driver's license;

c. Fluency in the English language;

d. No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and

e. High school diploma or equivalent.

Medical Requirements:

Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the ASI position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following:

a. Have good distance vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the
size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted)

b. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and

c. Not have any physical conditions that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or that
would interfere with their ability to operate/occupy a flight deck observer's seat (jumpseat) or a cabin
passenger seat in a variety of aircraft.

Flight Oversight ASIs do not conduct certification (pilot evaluating, testing, and checking) job functions as a required crewmember, including safety pilot. The incumbent 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.

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.

Specialized Experience: You must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FG/GS-13 grade level. 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: Experience overseeing, implementing, and integrating various technical functions related to communication, navigation, surveillance, air traffic management, and national air space activities; and experience conducting enforcement investigations, flight evaluations, inspections, and preparing final reports.

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. 

Specialized Experience: You must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FG/GS-13 grade level. 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: Experience overseeing, implementing, and integrating various technical functions related to communication, navigation, surveillance, air traffic management, and national air space activities; and experience conducting enforcement investigations, flight evaluations, inspections, and preparing final reports.

Applicants should provide examples of specialized experience in their work history. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) will be required to verify area of consideration. Other supplemental documentation, etc. will be accepted in combination with your on-line application. These documents must be uploaded with your application or emailed to 9-AMC-AHF-S210@faa.gov on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number.

Applicants MUST submit a copy of their Flight Instructor Certificate, Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, and/or Commercial Pilot Certificate. If the back side of the certificate/license contains the ratings, be sure to copy both sides.

Applicants MUST submit the FAA-3330-473.

All forms/certificates/licenses must be submitted by closing date of the announcement to receive consideration unless currently occupying an Operations 1825 series position. Failure to do so will result in your application being rated incomplete.

If you are an FAA employee, you MUST provide a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) containing information in Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 so it can be used to verify your position title, series, grade, tenure, and organization of record by the closing date of the announcement. You may fax your SF-50 or upload it into the on-line application. If faxing the SF-50, please ensure you include the vacancy announcement number on the faxed copy.

If you are an FAA employee, you can access and print your SF-50 from the eOPF system https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/.

Next steps