The Principal Avionics Inspector (PAI) is responsible for recommending new and amended Title 14Code 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 air carrier avionics safety issues.
Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements for an Aviation Safety Inspector in the 1825 series as outlined in the OPM qualification standards. The minimum eligibility requirements for this position are below or may be found on the following link: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1800/aviation-safety-series-1825/ 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. Aviation Safety Series, 1825 Aviation Safety Inspector positions have job-related medical requirements. When applicable, applicants must meet job-related medical requirements which will be assessed and validated during the pre-employment process. These medical requirements include: Aviation Safety Inspector Medical Requirements: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following requirements: Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted); Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft. Applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector, Air Carrier Avionics positions must meet all of the following requirements. 1. Aircraft avionics experience involving the maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of installed avionics systems on aircraft. 2. Avionics maintenance experience on aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight. (Recency of specialized experience is waived for current FAA employees in the 1825 series, if applicable.) AND In addition to meeting the minimum requirements, applicants for the FG-14 level must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression (FG-13), as an Aviation Safety Inspector, Air Carrier Avionics 1825. Examples of Specialized Experience include: * Monitoring activities of organizations to determine whether they are following authorized programs and evaluating proposals to change programs. * Planning and conducting inspections and surveillance of assigned areas of air carriers to assure compliance with Federal aviation regulations. * Responsibility for the conduct of enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition. * Deciding whether facilities, equipment, materials, personnel, inspection methods and maintenance practices and techniques are satisfactory to assure airworthiness of aircraft; and approving manuals or requiring amendment thereto. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. For Lateral Movements Between 1825 Specialties: For Lateral Movements between 1825 Specialties: To assist in determining qualification requirements, applicants transferring between specialties at the same grade level are strongly encouraged to complete the appropriate Qualifications Assessment Tool (QAT) check sheet and upload it along with their resume. Check sheets are contained in Order 3410.26, Flight Standards Service Air Carrier and General Aviation Qualifications Assessment Tool for AFS Aviation Safety Inspectors found using this link https://my.faa.gov/org/linebusiness/avs/offices/afx/tools/qat.html
The PAI receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The PAI, mostly independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work. The PAI provides policy assistance to field level Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) and difficult or complex policy interpretations. The work is normally accepted without change. Completed work may be reviewed for adherence to Federal aviation Administration (FAA) policy and for assurance that project requirements have been fulfilled. Some FG-14 assignments involve Service wide responsibility for application of expert knowledge of flight avionics for an advanced multiengine turbojet aircraft. Such employees are concerned with all aspects of the operational capabilities and limitations of the aircraft. Other FG-14 inspectors establish technical procedures and performance yardsticks. Additionally, the PAI may review complete flight operation or maintenance programs for major air carriers who are leaders in the aviation industry, or who have problems of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations. Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity; the organizations monitored are major factors in the industry. ASIs at the FG-14 level establish technical procedures and performance indexes and review complete maintenance programs for major air carriers who are leaders in the aviation industry, or who have problems of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations. Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity. The following assignments are illustrative: 1. As a Service wide expert on a particular type of sophisticated multiengine turbojet aircraft: −Advises other inspectors of major changes in the operation of the aircraft; −Standardizes procedures and judgments used by inspectors to evaluate the operation of the aircraft; −Evaluates new training methods and equipment (e.g., simulators) for initial certification; −Serves on national boards that determine the minimum equipment necessary to operate a particular type of aircraft safely; and −Serves on boards that evaluate incidents, accidents, complaints, and other serious problems relating to the aircraft. Develops plans to resolve problems. 2.As principal representative in regulatory surveillance of air carrier activities, exercises certificate authority over a major air carrier with very extensive and complex avionics. Analyzes flight involving large fleets of turbojet aircraft engaged in large-scale passenger and freight service; or evaluates maintenance activities and complete aircraft overhaul facilities which are equipped and staffed to handle the latest and most sophisticated turbojet aircraft and associated systems. This level includes responsibility for nationally and internationally prominent carriers who operate the largest, most advanced fleets of turbojet aircraft in the industry. (By comparison, FG-13 employees exercise certificate authority over less complex air carriers or perform major portions of certification, inspection, and surveillance for major carriers under the direction of FG-14 inspectors.) 3.Exercises certificate authority and safety responsibility over a complex of broad and varied major air carriers in terms of size and complexity of aircraft fleet employed, scope and technical complexity of operations, management sophistication, industry leadership, and public impact. The magnitude, intensity, and scope of program responsibility are typically such as to require significant and regular assistance of lower graded inspectors.