Aviation Safety Inspector (Air Carrier Maintenance - PMI)

Overview

The Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) is responsible for applying knowledge of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) field personnel and the public governing all matters to air carrier maintenance safety issues.

Major Duties

The PMI receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The PMI mostly independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work. The PMI provides policy assistance to regional and field level Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) on difficult or complex policy interpretations. The work is normally accepted without change. Completed work may be reviewed for adherence to FAA policy and for assurance that project requirements have been fulfilled. ASIs at the FG-13 level issue certificates to and monitor (1) a large and complex aviation organization or (2) a number of smaller organizations, air organizations, or Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) holders that, together, are comparable in complexity to one large one. They are the primary contact point with the aviation organization(s). They may decide on issuance of the original certificates. They evaluate and decide upon proposals to change the authorized programs of the organizations. They continuously monitor the activities of organizations to determine whether they are following their authorized program, Federal regulations, and good safety practices. (By comparison GS-12 employees issue certificates to small and uncomplicated organizations.) FG-13 assignments are characterized by one or more of the following: 1. Multi-engine turboprop or turbojet aircraft or the complex avionics equipment associated with such aircraft; 2. A variety of flight or maintenance operations with diverse types of aircraft which may include turbine powered aircraft; or 3.Novel and complex aviation operations. (By comparison, similar assignments at the GS-12 level involve smaller turboprop or large piston-engine aircraft.) FG-13 employees plan and conduct their assignments with substantial technical independence. They receive administrative and policy guidance from their supervisors and policy makers. They also obtain technical advice from higher-level inspectors who are experts on a particular type of aircraft or who have overall program responsibility. They independently plan and carry out a work program to meet the needs and monitor the activities of the organizations for which they have certification responsibility. The scope and complexity of the work program may be such as to require the occasional assistance of other employees to conduct inspections and evaluate operations. The PMI applies a mastery knowledge level of the appropriate specialization and a broad knowledge of the line of business mission and goals to assigned programs and areas of responsibility. The PMI plans and directs the use of time and resources to accomplish organizational objectives. He orshe defines, organizes, and uses resources to accomplish work activities within established schedules, analyzes program requirements and accomplishments, and makes or directs adjustments as necessary to address organizational needs. Guidelines and precedents are frequently inadequate for dealing with novel or complex operations. FG-13 employees understand and apply the basic principles of aviation safety and interpret the intent of the regulations. At FG-13, contacts are frequently with owners and top managers of aviation corporations and involve negotiating and resolving the full range of issues and problems that confront large aviation organizations. Occasionally issues are controversial, arousing considerable public interest. ASIs at the FG-13 level participate extensively in the certification inspection and surveillance of highlycomplex air carrier operations where principal program responsibility is vested in an aviation safety inspector of higher grade. These FG-13 employees have broad authority to negotiate with carrier management and make technical determinations within the coverage of approved specifications and policy manuals.

Qualifications

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 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. AND Maintenance Applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector, Air Carrier Maintenance positions must meet all of the following requirements. 1. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness. 2. Maintenance experience with aircraft 12,500 pounds or more maximum certificated takeoff weight. 3. Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state or Federal governmental agency. 4. Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years. 5. FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings In addition to meeting the minimum requirements, applicants for the FG-13 level must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression (GS/FG-12 or Pay Band H). Specialized experience may include: Reviews and determines the adequacy of manuals for compliance with CFRs. Monitors all phases of maintenance on behalf of the principal inspector to include facilities, equipment, programs and records. Evaluates operations and facilities throughout the geographical area by periodic on-site inspections and the review of inspectors reports. Responsible for the conduct of enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition. (Recency of specialized experience is waived for current FAA employees in the 1825 series, if applicable.) Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy 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

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent. Ingrade/Downgrade will be accepted. All or none of the candidates may be interviewed. 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)/Leadership and Management Dimension (LMD) 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/LMD. In lieu of providing a KSA NARRATIVE response in the text box listed below each KSA/LMD, in your work history on your resume/application, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA/LMD. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Please also 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. Determining length of Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible due to an incomplete application. 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.

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.