Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations - Fixed Wing) Job in Boise, ID

Vacancy No. OS-6054-25-ETA- 017(DEU) Department Office of the Secretary of the Interior
Salary $107,939.00 to $166,865.00 Grade 12 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/19/2024 Close Date 12/3/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Boise, ID


Summary

The Department of the Interior is devoted to protecting and preserving the natural resources of this great nation, including National Parks, Landmarks, and the well-being of communities, including those of Native American, Alaska Natives and affiliated Islanders.

Duties

This position is located within the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of the Secretary (OS), Office of Aviation Services (OAS), Western Region Office (WRO), located in Boise, ID. The employee will serve as Pilot in Command (PIC) on DOI fixed-wing aircraft, perform flight evaluations and surveillance of contracted fixed-wing pilots, and flight evaluations and training of DOI pilots. Through inspection and surveillance of ongoing aircraft operations, as well as contacts with user bureaus and the aircraft industry in general, the employee will provide safety oversight of pilots, aircraft, and equipment used in a wide range of resource missions, with authority to issue/withdraw authorization cards for mission specific applications, and provide technical support and advisory services for direct mission support activities.

At the full performance level (GS-13) the major duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:

  1. Leads or conducts surveillance and inspections of diverse types of fixed wing pilots to ensure safety compliance with contract requirements and OAS policy, Federal Aviation Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and other Federal regulations. Conducts initial general inspections of a contractor's facility.
  2. Evaluates the contractor's operations and/or maintenance quality control procedures. Verifies that all applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approvals have been obtained and are documented for the pilots, aircraft, and for any modifications to such aircraft.
  3. Independently approves/disapproves contractor and DOI employed (fleet) pilots used in Government missions. When approved, issues a card authorizing use of the pilot in all requirements. When disapproved, provides a list of deficiencies and performs re-inspections as needed.
  4. Provides OAS management and bureau partners with expert technical guidance and advice in the development, implementation, and resolution of a wide range of flight operations, management, and/or aviation maintenance issues related to safety, operational practices, potential contractor capability, contract modifications, policy and procedure development, and special use operations for both DOI fleet and contracted fixed wing pilots and/or aircraft.
  5. For DOI fleet pilots, provides expert guidance and advisory services in flight operations, as well as supporting the development and technical evaluation of proposed aircraft modifications to assure compliance with safety standards and FAA certification requirements.
  6. Works with Bureau/Office personnel to study, evaluate and determine mission aviation requirements, types and numbers of equipment needed to support the program as well as their operational requirements for new and expanding aviation programs.
  7. Acts as a liaison and/or representative of DOI OAS to coordinate standards with governmental agencies outside of DOI and with appropriate aviation industry groups with whom DOI has interagency or cooperative agreements.
  8. Independently conducts periodic scheduled and unscheduled inspections to determine the contractor's continued compliance with the requirements of the contract. The inspector may unilaterally terminate authorization cards for any pilot, aircraft, or ancillary equipment, as applicable, if in their professional judgment the contract requirements were not met, or safety deficiencies were found. Prepares a written report of findings and recommendations.
The OS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

This position is included in a bargaining unit. The National Federation of Federal Employees, Local 2052, is the exclusive representative of all employees in this bargaining unit.

Salary Range Information:
GS-12: $107,939-$140,317 per annum.
GS-13: $128,354-$166,865 per annum.
First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level.

NOTE : A recruitment incentive may be authorized at the discretion of the bureau.

Requirements:
  • Travel - 25% or less, on average annually -- The travel requirement is generally higher from January through June and may require 10 or more nights per month. Travel is significantly less July through December. Primary area of responsibility for the OAS Western Region includes Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, and New Mexico. Occasional travel to other OAS regions may be required.
  • Position is subject to medical requirements and incumbent must maintain medical requirements.
  • This position is subject to pre-employment drug testing and is subject to future drug testing.
This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available.

This vacancy is also announced as OS-6054-25-ETA-018(MP) for those applicants who wish to apply and be considered under Merit Promotion procedures.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  1. You must be a U.S. Citizen.
  2. You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination.
  3. You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
  4. You must submit ALL required documents and a completed questionnaire.
  5. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service system, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements:
To qualify for this position, you must meet the General Requirements, Medical Requirements, General Aviation Requirements, Specialized Experience, and Selective Placement Factor for the grade to which you are applying.

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, and must meet all of the following requirements:
  1. Have 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;
  2. Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.

General Aviation Operations Requirements:
In addition to the above, applicants must also possess the general aviation operations minimum qualification requirements: **You are required to submit proof of the certificates and ratings with your initial application. Failure to provide documentation may result in disqualification from consideration for this position.
  1. Valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate with single and multi-engine airplane and instrument airplane ratings. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in an aircraft.
  2. Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a flight check to Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument rating;
  3. Possession of Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating.
  4. Minimum of 100 flight hours within the last 3 years.
  5. Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours.
  6. Possession of single and multi-engine land airplane ratings.
  7. Not more than 2 flying accidents in the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved.
  8. Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate.
Driver's License: You will be required to operate a government motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid U.S. driver's license. **You are required to submit proof of the driver's license with your initial application. Failure to provide documentation may result in disqualification from consideration for this position.

Physical Demands: Must possess and renew at least a Second-Class FAA Medical Certificate on an annual basis. Employee is required to enter and exit confined areas of small resource aircraft, such as cockpits and cabins, to conduct flight evaluations. Employee is required to climb tall ladders to inspect aircraft, load and unload aircraft by lifting heavy objects, often greater than 50 pounds, and may be exposed to long hours in loud, confined spaces. Work also requires extensive overnight domestic travel with occasional international travel. Typical DOI natural resource missions require exposure to substantial hazards, including occasional operations that require waivers and exemptions from the FAA.

Working Conditions: Position requireswork indoors and outdoors, in and around aircraft on active flightlines, with environmental conditions occasionally creating situations of significant cold, heat, and/or noise. Position requires long periods of work at a desk with numerous contacts to be made by telephone, interpretative review of significant amounts of manually written technical data, and scheduling and rescheduling of work activities. Position also requires exposure to high risks: Operating low level in aircraft over inhospitable terrain, in adverse weather, day and night, and flying in and around the wildland fire environment. Personal protective equipment is required.

GS-12 Specialized Experience:
To qualify for the GS-12, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
  1. Instructing and evaluating airplane pilots;
  2. Piloting airplanes as PIC for a minimum of 1000 hours;
  3. Serving as a consultant and/or subject matter expert for the use of aviation in the natural resource environment;
  4. Providing advice and recommendations to management on new aviation policies, procedures, or challenges.
MUST MEET ALL

GS-13 Specialized Experience:
To qualify for the GS-13, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
  1. Instructing and evaluating airplane pilots;
  2. Piloting airplanes as PIC for a minimum of 1000 hours;
  3. Serving as a consultant and/or subject matter expert for the use of aviation in the natural resource environment;
  4. Providing advice and recommendations to management on new aviation policies, procedures, or challenges;
  5. Documented experience as an OAS or USFS approved PIC on Leadplane, Air Tactical, SEAT, Smokejumper, Large Airtanker, or other natural resource missions such as wildlife management, forestry management, reconnaissance, census, fire imaging, etc. - OR - Documented experience as a qualified pilot inspector for a state or federal government agency responsible for approving or disapproving pilots operating FAA certificated small (12,500 lbs. or below) aircraft performing any natural resource, air tactical, fire reconnaissance, or fire suppression missions.
MUST MEET ALL

Selective Placement Factors:
To be eligible for this position, you must possess one of the combinations below.
  1. Possess a Commercial Single-Engine Land rating (CSEL), a Commercial Multi-Engine Land rating (CMEL), an instrument rating, and a Certified Flight Instructor certificate with Multi-Engine (MEI) and Instrument (CFII) ratings.
  2. Possess a Commercial Single-Engine Land rating (CSEL), an Airline Transport Pilot - Multi-Engine Land rating (ATP-MEL), and a Certified Flight Instructor certificate with Multi-Engine (MEI) and Instrument (CFII) ratings.
Note: You are required to provide documentation in your resume that you meet all of the requirements outlined above and experience claimed in your application. Failure to provide support in your resume that you meet the requirements outlined above and claimed experience may result in disqualification from consideration for this position.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp

Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.

The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.

Notice of Financial Disclosure Report Requirement: The position to which you will be appointed is subject to a financial disclosure reporting requirement and you will be required to complete a new entrant Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days of your appointment.

Important Note: All Department of the Interior (DOI) employees are subject to the conflict of interest restrictions imposed upon all employees of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and may be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report. In addition, DOI employees, GS-15 and above, who work in the Office of the Secretary; along with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) employees (at ALL grade levels), are further restricted concerning their interests in Federal lands and resources administered or controlled by the Department of the Interior. This includes holding stock in energy corporations which lease Federal lands (e.g.: oil, gas, coal, alternative energy resources, etc.). If you have any such investments you should contact the DOI, BOEM or BSEE Ethics Office before accepting employment. DOI employees are held to the highest level of integrity. Employees must be objective and impartial in the performance of their work. All potential issues (e.g.: work-related interactions with friends, family members, or previous employers) must be disclosed at the time of application or during the interview process.

NOTICE: This employer participates in E-Verify and will utilize your Form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.
A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work with the U.S. Department of the Interior. The preliminary background check consists of a search of Office of Personnel Management and Department of Defense background investigation files and an FBI National Criminal History Fingerprint Check; it may take up to 3 weeks to complete. If selected for this position, you will be extended a tentative offer of employment pending a satisfactory background check. Current Federal employees or individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check; these will be handled on a case-by-case basis in coordination with the Bureau security office.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. You are being evaluated under the Category Rating method, which means, if you are determined to be qualified you will be placed in one of three pre-defined categories. These categories are "Platinum", "Gold", and "Silver". However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Candidates placed in the "Platinum" category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview. Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

  • Pilot Evaluations Inspection: Uses knowledge, skills, and advanced understanding of aviation concepts, gained through extensive training and experience and applies documented established standards to evaluate pilot knowledge and skills in a variety of flight related scenarios.
  • Compliance Inspection: Knowledge of the guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with compliance inquiries, including application of compliance rules and criteria and ability to make appropriate decisions and issue authorizations to pilot aircraft for government projects and contracts.
  • Flight Systems: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories related to the development, design, test, and evaluation of aircraft and their component subsystems, or their related external systems.
  • Risk Management: Knowledge of aviation principles, methods, and tools used for risk assessment and mitigation, including assessment of failures and their consequences.
  • Oral Communication: Ability to communicate effectively to coordinate on-going contractor performance evaluations; provide advisory services; to resolve technical problems with pilots, vendors, and customers.
If you are a status applicant (current career or career-conditional Federal employee or former permanent Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility in the competitive service), or are eligible under a special appointing authority and you are selected under this vacancy, you may be subject to serving a new one-year probationary period.

To preview the assessment questionnaire click: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12613381

Required Documents

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

Your resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements as stated in this vacancy announcement and OPM qualification standards for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. It is strongly recommended that you use the USAJobs Resume Builder as it was designed to ensure that your resume includes the standard information needed. The Resume Builder is available at
https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/account/documents/resume/build.

Your application package must include: (1) Resume showing relevant experience as written in your own words; (2) Completed online Assessment Questionnaire; (3) College transcript (if applicable) for verification of qualifying education. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; (4) Certificates, license, etc. (if applicable); (5) Form DD-214 OR VA letter and Standard Form 15 (if applicable).
NOTE: Applicants claiming veterans preference (TP, CP, CPS) must submit a copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," (Member 4 copy is preferred), showing the dates of active duty, type of discharge, and character of service (must be honorable); OR acceptable proof of verification of your preference (i.e., official document, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying that the veterans total combined serviced-connected disability rating is 10% or more).

You will find additional information on the following topics: (1) e-Verify; (2) Selective Service; (3) CTAP/ICTAP; (4) Education - accreditation; (5) Foreign education; (6) Veterans preference; (7) Special appointing authority documentation; and more can be found on our web site: https://www.bsee.gov/careers/usajobs-assistance OR https://www.boem.gov/about-boem/boem-employment .

If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof by the closing date of the announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. The proof includes a copy of the agency notice, your most recent Performance Rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty station. To be considered well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, you must earn a minimum score of 85 or above (prior to the assignment of veteran's preference) on the rating criteria for this position.

How to Apply

Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

To apply on-line, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at www.usajobs.gov. To begin, click the Apply Online button near the bottom of this screen and follow the prompts to register into your USAJOBS account, answer the questions, and submit all required documents.

To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at www.usajobs.gov and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select Apply Online to continue.

Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) that have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, promotion potential and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.

Agency contact information

HR Assistant
Address
Office of the Secretary
45600 Woodland Road
Sterling, VA 20166
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgment from USAJobs that your submission was successful, once we have received your on-line assessment questionnaire, resume and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application via your USAJobs account after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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