Unmanned Aircraft Systems Safety Specialist Job in May be filled in various FAA duty locations

Vacancy No. AGL-AFX-25-0047-95599 Department Federal Aviation Administration
Salary $62,039.00 to $144,432.00 Grade G to H
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/7/2025 Close Date 7/11/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
May be filled in various FAA duty locations


Summary

This position is located within the Emerging Technologies Division, AFS-700. Serves as an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Safety Specialist. Responsible for applying knowledge of and experience with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for FAA Field personnel and the public governing all matters to unmanned aircraft.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Open to Current Permanent AVS and AMA-200 Line of Business Employees

Duties

The incumbent will perform a variety of tasks associated with technical administration, certification and surveillance. Performs a mixture of routine, multiple, and varying assignments under the limited direction of a manager, project/program manager, or more experienced technical specialist to complete assignments. Performs duties as assigned without specific authority for actions or decisions. A significant part of the position involves training in more UAS complex functions.

Assures that the unmanned aircraft or associated systems Pilot in Command or organization comply with regulatory requirements and reports deficiencies. Collaborates closely with other USS and/or Manager(s); assisting with enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports. Participates in accident/incident and complaint investigations.

Reviews documents pertaining to the certifications tasks associated with UAS mechanic, UAS remote PIC operator, and other UAS aviation organizations for compliance with safety regulations. Performs surveillance activities associated with Unmanned aircraft and its associated systems. Works under instructions provided by a manager or experienced UAS Safety Specialist.

Applies experience and detailed knowledge of regulatory and procedural activities to accomplish assignments. Demonstrates some independence in planning time and using assigned resources to accomplish projects/programs/activities. Initiates and maintains effective communication with all internal and external stakeholders, and builds cooperative, ongoing working relationships to advance the mission of Flight Standards and the Emerging Technologies Division.

Contacts are primarily internal to the organization with some external contacts. Established policies/procedures provide guidance for most assignments but allow some discretion to select the most appropriate approach. Typically receives guidance on selecting approach from a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist. May provide recommendations to improve work processes.

Refers difficult problems and work issues to a manager or more experienced technical specialist when guidelines are not available. Prepares, reviews, and recommends approval of reports for internal and external distribution on projects, programs, and other work.

Work is reviewed periodically during assignments and at completion to ensure policy compliance and alignment with the requirements of projects and/or other work activities. Work activities support the work of other employees and contribute to activities of the organization.

Requirements

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

To qualify for the FV-G:

General Experience:

To qualify for this position at the FV-G, FG-5 level you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least three years of progressively responsible general experience that demonstrates the ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, recognize solutions, plan and organize work and convey information, with at least one year equivalent to the FG/GS-4 level.

Or

Education substitution:

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree, gained from an accredited college or university.

To qualify for the FV-H:

To qualify for this position at the FV-H you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-G, FG-5-9. Experience includes the development and execution of programs that improve organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and/or meet strategic objectives. Experience in participating on a team performing investigations/compliance enforcement; writing reports sufficient to substantiate findings. Assisting with enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports. Participating in accident/incident and complaint investigations.

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

Education

For the FV-G (only):

Education substitution:

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree, gained from an accredited college or university.

To qualify based on education, you must upload a copy of your college transcripts or certificates at time of application. If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to employment. Failure to provide a copy of college transcripts may result in being considered ineligible for the position.

Preview Job Questionnaire

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

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated for Internal Announcements:

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA); Demonstrated Abilities; Leadership and Management Dimensions; or Other Factors 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.

Incomplete Applications:

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.

Interviews:

Some, all or none of the applicants may be interviewed.

The position may be filled at the FV-G or FV-H. 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.

Duty Location:

Selectee will be required to report to an FAA Aviation Safety (AVS) Duty Location.

This is not a bargaining unit position.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

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.



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

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/.

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

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.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE OR EDUCATION.

We strongly encourage applicants to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder in the creation of resumes.

Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:

  • Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)

  • Duties (be specific in describing your duties)

  • Employer's name and address

  • Supervisor name and phone number

  • Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)

  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)

  • Salary (optional)


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. Please see this guide, Document Upload Guide, for more information on uploading and re-using the documents in your applications.

Agency contact information

Diana Maiello
Phone
1 (847) 294-7732
Fax
1 (847) 294-7858
Email
diana.maiello@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
AGL Regional HR Services Branch
2300 E. Devon Ave., Room 250
AHF-N310
Des Plaines, IL 60018
US

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.


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


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