Summary
The Legal Instruments Examiner is responsible for examining airmen applications within the Civil Aviation Registry.
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Veterans
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference
Military spouses
Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.
Individuals with disabilities
Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.
Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
Individuals who have served at least 2 years with the Peace Corps or 1 year with AmeriCorps VISTA.
Special authorities
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.
Clarification from the agency
Also open to those eligible for 30% or More Disabled, PWD/PWTD, and VRA
Duties
The Legal Instruments Examiner is responsible for examining airmen applications, supporting documents, enforcement actions, and is responsible for issuing most classes of airmen certificates and an infinite number of various ratings, type ratings, limitations, exemptions, etc. as well as responding to inquiries from other FAA lines of business, airmen, the aviation public and other governmental agencies regarding airman certification information. This is a developmental position that will require the incumbent to participate in both a formal and informal training program that includes on-the-job training and a classroom training environment. The incumbent will be exposed to almost all aspects of the journeyman level responsibilities listed below for developmental purposes.
The incumbent will perform the following duties, but in a limited and more supervised capacity than at the higher grades.
- Adjudicates legal instruments, applications and supporting documents for the specific certificates for which they have been trained and tested with various ratings, type ratings, limitations, exemptions, categories, etc. Communicates via oral and written explanations as to the granting or denial of airman certificates, based upon FAA regulations, policy, and guidance material, including international treaty, federal law, and legal case histories.
- Makes final determination whether to issue the certificate or rating for which the airman is applying, by consideration of all available legal and regulatory guidelines contained in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), various FAA Orders, exemptions, court decisions, legal precedents, or other governing policy documents for airmen certification.
- Analyzes legal decisions, enforcement actions and orders to determine the effect of such instruments on the airman's ability to apply for and/or hold an airman's certificate. In the case of airmen who hold multiple certificates, the examiner must determine which certificates and ratings are affected by the legal decisions. Incumbent must determine, from careful analysis of the progression and status of the case, when the airman is qualified for reinstatement or reapplication.
- Compiles extensive information on legal subjects and documents from the airmen records, and is responsible for the completeness, accuracy, relevancy and correctness of legal content of each airman's complete file. These files are certified by the Airmen Certification Branch and are accepted as evidence in all courts of law in the United States.
- Evaluates airmen records for the purpose of evidentiary hearings, especially involving cases of suspected fraud or misrepresentation on airman applications. Incumbent interfaces extensively with FAA Regional Counsel Offices in preparation for cases under the FAA Drug Enforcement Assistance Act of 1988 and in accordance with U.S.C 44703 and may be called to testify in these cases and to present evidence.
- The position requires an in-depth knowledge of the FAA Drug Enforcement Assistance Act of 1988, and knowledge of the FAA's responsibilities under the Act. This will require legal research and independent determination of findings regarding the airman's worthiness to hold an FAA airman certificate and involves liaison with other governmental agencies in the proper disposition of records, evidence, and outcomes of the application process.
- Processes all telephone and email inquiries and provides guidance to airmen, members of Congress, airlines, attorneys, insurance companies, foreign governments, law enforcement agencies, FAA regional and field offices, TSA, NTSB, GAO, OIG, AOV, and other sources. Makes determinations as to what information can be released from the airmen records, and to whom it can be released.
- Analyzes incoming mail, composes technical letters, correction notices and provides instruction/information to the clerks for response to public inquiries.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- US Citizenship is required.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Position will be filled at the FG-7 Level ONLY.
- A one-year probationary period may be required.
- Successful completion of a security investigation will be required.
- Please Review Required Documents and Additional Information.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FG/GS-5 grade level. Specialized experience is experience that equips the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.
Specialized Experience includes experience examining airmen applications; experience analyzing and compiling legal subjects and documents to make sound decisions; experience verifying eligibility based on completeness, accuracy, relevancy, and correctness of supporting documentation; experience with internal and external stakeholders.
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Education
Information Regarding KSAs:
As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA. In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate.
Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA); listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration.
Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.
Additional information
We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements
Notes:
- Interviews may be conducted IAW FAA Policy and applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- To be filled within any section of AFB-720.
- To be filled at the FG-7 Level ONLY.
- Full promotion potential to the FG-10 Level: Identification of promotion in the vacancy 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 the selectee meeting training, qualification requirements, and recommendation by the supervisor.
- Applicants must apply on-line to receive consideration for this vacancy announcement. Faxed, mailed, or emailed applications cannot be accepted.
- Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.
- Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA.
- Additional information regarding living in Oklahoma can be found at www.abetterlifeokc.com
- To check receipt of submitted documents, please email sidney.r.heifetz@faa.gov.
Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
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.
Required Documents
Documentation, e.g. Notification of Personnel Action (Current SF-50), etc. will be accepted in combination with your on-line application and must be uploaded or submitted to 9-AMC-AHF-S210@faa.gov on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number.
All Veterans: If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit either a DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member 4 Copy or equivalent), or a document from the armed forces certifying that within 120 days you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions. If you are claiming 10 point preference, you must also submit a completed SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference, and supporting documents outlined on the SF-15. Documents must be uploaded or faxed to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office listed in this announcement and all documents must be received by the closing date of the announcement. If you fail to submit documentation, you will be assessed as a non-veteran.
If you are claiming 10 point preference but fail to submit the supporting documents outlined on the SF-15, you will be tentatively assessed as a 5 point preference eligible provided your DD Form 214 reflects that you have the service required to qualify for preference. Documents must be uploaded or faxed to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office listed in this announcement and all documents must be received by the closing date of the announcement. If you fail to submit documentation, you will be assessed as a non-veteran.
Veterans currently on active duty claiming veterans' preference: You will be granted tentative preference if you submit a document from the armed forces certifying that within 120 days you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions and your application shows that you have the required service. Prior to being appointed, you must provide to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office a DD Form 214 documenting discharge/release and showing that the service was honorable or general. If you are on terminal leave, you must provide documentation certifying authorized terminal leave.
If you want consideration for one or more of the Special Hiring Authorities, documentation that must be submitted at time of application can be found at
Direct Hiring Authorities | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Applicants may be required to complete one or multiple assessments as part of the evaluation process. This assessment aims to evaluate the competencies and qualifications essential for the position.
You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register.
RESUMES ARE LIMITED TO TWO PAGES. IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC AND INCLUDE INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO THE QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION.
Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:
Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
- Relevant work experience: should align to the Job Announcement and address all required qualifications and include job title, employer name, start/end dates, number of hours worked per week.
- Education, certification or licensure: If required, education should include school/institution name, completion date, degree type and GPA.
Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible.You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies.
Next steps
Once we receive your complete application, the Human Resources Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Eligible and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.
For instructions on how to check the status of your application, please go to: USAJOBS Help Guide.
Important - If you make any changes to your application, you must resubmit it. If you make changes to your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and only your previously submitted application will be evaluated.
All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.