Aviation Safety Inspector (Flight Oversight)

Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent AVS and AMA-200 Line of Business employees

Flight Oversight: 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.

Provides expert advice and guidance in the formulation, development and conduct of highly complex, controversial, and significant studies and projects at the national level. Provides recommendations involving the planning, conduct, gathering of requirements, and development of business model approaches including automation and tools to support the project and identification of risk areas/concerns. Works with teams of multiple disciplines that are involved in developing and implementing new business processes, automation, policy changes, and procedures, including program improvement designs for Flight Standards products with a specific focus and expertise in air carrier operations and general aviation operations.

Plan and conducts periodic in-depth evaluations and focused inspections involving the aviation and Air Transportation industry; evaluates Inspector Resources for the oversight of operators with high-risk profiles.

Provides technical support and conducts research for internal stakeholders related to a variety of issues. Reviews Safety Assurance office requests to ensure all safety critical information is received from external stakeholders. Provides education, resources and support when Safety Assurance offices are resource constrained. May result in the issuance of a letter of authorization (LOA) deviation, advisory circular, notice or updates to guidance. Develop and implement national change management strategies.

Responsible for reviewing and evaluating, on a continuing basis, established rules and regulations related to assigned technical programs to ensure they have kept pace with the needs to which they were directed and that they are still reasonable, necessary, and adequate. Evaluates regulatory petitions or proposals from within or outside the agency, and recommends the development of new or amended rules, regulations, or other regulatory material, and the discontinuance of rules and regulations no longer considered necessary.

Responsible for the preparation of Federal Register notices regarding assigned technical programs for original petitions for exemptions and analysis of technical input from other employees within Flight Standards. Coordinates with other Aviation Safety and Flight Standards Organizations to develop a complete analysis and appropriate response. 

Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of division policy in assigned programs areas to include evaluation and analysis. Develops policies, including advisory circulars, inspector guidelines, and training standards related to certifications, inspection, surveillance and operation of assigned programs areas. 

Participates in national and international working groups and panels with other organization elements of the agency, or other government agencies, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and industry representatives for the purpose of resoling complex and controversial problems having a direct influence on the safety of assigned technical programs operations, facilities, and equipment.

Provides expert technical leadership, instruction and oversight; assures timely and accurate work and on-the-job accomplishment; notifies supervisor on work accomplishments, milestone, program initiates, training needs and potential problems.

Prepares a variety of correspondence to other organizations within Flight Standards, aviation industry, other governmental agencies, Members of Congress, and the public, much of which is highly technical and of high priority.

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).

Qualifications

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 A SI 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 (jump seat) or a cabin passenger seat in a variety of aircraft.

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 grade levels. 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 extensive participation in certification, inspection, and surveillance as it relates to Air Carrier Maintenance or General Aviation Maintenance. Skill in applying, laws and regulations to inspection, investigation, enforcement, and/or compliance work. Providing expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to agency management and other senior agents, officers, or inspectors on critical operations. Solving problems demanding technologically advanced methods and innovative approaches. Must have experience in developing, delivering and overseeing delivery of complex subjects to a wide range of internal or external audiences. Experience using SAS Automation and a high level of understanding of using SAS for risk-based decision making. Experience must show application and outcome. (examples of complex subject: SAS training, technical airline training or other complex subject certification requirements or application of system safety incorporating SMS).

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this 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) must be submitted.

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