This Aviation Safety Inspector position is located in the Aircraft Evaluation Division, AFS-100. Responsible for applying expert 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 operations safety issues.
General Requirements for All Positions: Not more than two separate incidents involving Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations violations in the last five years; Valid State driver's license; Fluency in the English language; No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and High school diploma or equivalent. Medical Requirements for All Positions: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the ASI 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 operate/occupy a flight deck observer’s seat (jumpseat) or a cabin passenger seat in a variety of aircraft. Flight Oversight: Flight Oversight ASIs do not conduct certification (pilot evaluating, testing, and checking) job functions as a required crewmember, including safety pilot. The incumbent will not, in any scenario, act as a required crewmember or safety pilot of an aircraft. Flight Oversight ASIs apply a broad knowledge of the aviation industry, aviation safety, and Federal aviation laws, regulations, and policies. General Aviation (Flight Oversight) Aviation Safety Inspector Qualification Requirements. In addition to meeting the basic and medical requirements, applicants must meet the following additional qualification requirements: a. Must hold a valid or expired Flight Instructor Certificate with an aircraft category rating or have experience serving as an instructor as part of an approved program or course (e.g., Title 14 CFR Part 121, 135, 141, or 142, or Uniformed Services) which provided instruction in an aircraft or an approved flight simulation training device representing an aircraft. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in an aircraft, an approved flight simulation training device representing an aircraft, or a combination of both. b. Must hold a valid Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument-airplane rating. c. Three years of experience working in an organization with an air carrier, commercial operator, or air agency certificate, an organization whose work has led to the certification of individual airmen, or an organization that operated aircraft. d. Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours. e. Possession of airplane category and single-engine and multi-engine land (airplane) ratings. f. Not more than two flying accidents in the last five years in which the applicant’s pilot error was involved. To qualify for this position at the FG-14 level you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I, FG/GS-13 grade levels. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Experience includes assisting, conducting, or performing various technical functions on certification activities for CFR Part 23 Normal Category Airplanes and supporting CFR Part 135 air carriers/air operators and CFR Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules operations. Work involves monitoring and issuing certificates to a large complex aviation organization or several smaller organizations that, in total, are comparable in complexity to one large aviation organization. Providing Flight Standards organizations and industry with authoritative expert technical guidance and operational control, ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
The incumbent provides the flight operations emphasis and crew representation in all phases of developmental work involved prior to certification and subsequent to placing such aircraft into service regarding modifications, upgrades, and operational issues. The work of this position has considerable impact on the level of safety achieved during the training of pilots and initial industry operation of the aircraft. Evaluates detailed flight characteristics of the aircraft in order to establish training requirements, which will be used as standards and guidelines for operations inspectors in evaluating and approving training programs. Must develop a detailed knowledge of the aircraft's instrument and component systems to develop a sound and reasonable list of minimum instruments and equipment to be required for initial dispatch of aircraft to ensure operational safety of the aircraft. Responsible to provide information to aviation safety inspectors on all modification and procedural changes to the aircraft in order to attain optimum safety and efficiency in its operation. Serves as a member of the Type Certification Board, Flight Test Group and as advisor to the aircraft certification on flight operation problems involved in the certification processes of newly designed aircraft preparatory to the aircraft being type certificated and introduced into service. Serve as a representative of the Flight Standards Service and leader of the Flight Standardization Board, the incumbent will recommend to the appropriate Flight Standards division the appropriate pilot certificate type rating and specific training program standards to be used for training of flight crews or FAA inspectors receiving training in aircraft. Provides expert consultation in support of accident or incident investigations, analysis, and implementation of corrective actions related to the particular aircraft assigned. Position requires a comprehensive mastery of, and skill in applying, laws and regulations to inspection, investigation, enforcement, and compliance work. This role involves developing new techniques, legal processes, and approaches, necessitating a deep understanding of advanced principles and concepts. Responsible for developing agency-wide policies, procedures, and strategies, providing expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to agency management and other senior agents, officers, or inspectors on critical operations. Collects and analyzes operational and strategic intelligence from a wide range of sources, including federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, military departments, foreign governments, financial institutions, and technology companies. Role requires a high degree of originality and creativity to address and resolve the most complex problems, ensuring the safety and compliance of aviation operations on both a national and international scale. Effect of this work results in the detection and resolution of threats or challenges to the well-being of substantial numbers of people, causes changes in business practices of large important institutions, or serves as the basis for changes in the direction of major agency initiatives or longstanding agency practices.