Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft/Helicopter)

Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent FAA employees.

Provides policy assistance and conducts periodic surveillance of designated pilot examiners, check airmen, air carrier training programs.

Some assignments involve wide responsibility for application of expert knowledge of flight operations for technically advanced rotorcraft/helicopters. Such employees are concerned with all aspects of the operational capabilities and limitations of the aircraft.

On a continuing basis, assures that assigned organizations are properly and adequately organized, staffed, and equipped; have an adequate training program, including an acceptable record keeping system; and have facilities and procedures that meet all regulatory requirements. Chairs joint FAA-industry meetings; maintains regular contact with organizations assigned; and coordinates with top management officials. Requires or directs correction of any deficiencies/discrepancies and refuses or withdraws approval of they cannot be resolved.

Responsible for the conduct of enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition. Performs or supervises the emergency suspension of certificates or cancellations of operations specifications. Conducts or directs the reexamination of certificated airmen or recertification of an operator or agency.

Conducts investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries and aircraft incident and accidents.

Provides verbal and/or written technical assistance to legal counsel, testifies at court trials and formal hearings, and gives depositions.

Coordinates Minimum Equipment List (MEL) approvals with the principal airworthiness inspectors. Takes enforcement action in instances of noncompliance with the MEL.

May be assigned other duties and responsibilities which are non-grade controlling.

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).
• Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
• Position is designated as Moderate Risk; a background investigation may be required.
• Selectee must maintain a Second-Class Medical Certificate.
• Successful completion of a Transitional Check Ride may be required.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements. All applicants must meet the following basic requirements:

    a. Not more than two (2) separate incidents involving Federal Aviation Regulations violations in the last five (5) 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 Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft-Helicopter) 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 fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft.

In addition, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of aircraft must:

    d. Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations; and

    e. Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.

Tentatively selected applicants not requiring valid second-class medical certificates will be required to:

    f. Provide documentation from a board-certified physician certifying that they meet minimum medical requirements; or

    g. Individuals who do not meet the minimum medical requirements, but who are otherwise qualified will receive an individualized assessment to determine whether they can perform the essential functions of the position.

Specialized Experience Requirements. In addition to meeting the basic and medical requirements, applicants must meet the following specialized experience requirements:

    a. Must hold an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating or a Commercial Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating and Instrument-Helicopter rating.

    b. Must hold a valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating and Instrument Helicopter rating.

    c. Minimum 1,500 total flight hours in an aircraft as pilot-in-command or second-in-command, 1,000 hours of which must be in helicopters.

    d. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in a helicopter.

    e. Minimum 100 flight hours in helicopters as pilot-in-command or second-in-command or 100 hours as pilot in a Level D Simulator that replicates a helicopter, or any combination thereof, during the last five (5) years.

    f. Not more than two (2) flying accidents in the last five (5) years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved.

In addition, applicants must demonstrate in their application that they possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I/FG-13 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 is defined as:  Work involves providing Flight Standards organizations and industry with authoritative expert technical guidance and operational control ensuring compliance with applicable helicopter regulatory requirements. Work at this grade level/pay band is rarely reviewed. When work is reviewed, it is generally accomplished through status reports to ensure compliance and alignment with FAA requirements. Examples include:

    (1) Serves as National Rotorcraft-Helicopter Program Manager.

    (2) Investigates the safety and compliance of rotorcraft-helicopter operations.

    (3) Provides technical guidance on rotorcraft-helicopter policies, procedures, and regulations.

    (4) Reviews and evaluates training and certification programs.

The recency of specialized experience is waived for current or former FAA employees in the 1825 series.

Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.

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.

If you need to submit additional documents to supplement your online application, e.g. transcripts, SF-50, or veterans' documentation, you may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS. Supplemental documentation can also be faxed to 907-271-5367 on or before the closing date of this announcement. Please include your name and the vacancy announcement number on each of your faxed pages and redact all Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as social security number and date of birth.

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