Clarification from the agency

Open to individuals with 30% or more disabled.

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. Develop a detailed knowledge of the aircraft's instrument and component systems in order to develop a sound and reasonable list of minimum instruments and equipment to be required for initial dispatch of the aircraft to ensure operational safety of the aircraft. Works with operators introducing new aircraft into service to assure that FAA keeps abreast of current operational problems. Responsible for providing 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.

Has contacts at all levels within Flight Standards Service and Aircraft Certification Service. Contacts involve industry representatives including pilots, operators and/or personnel in charge of flight-testing for aircraft manufacturers. These contacts will be for the purpose of coordinating and resolving problems imposed by certification and operations requirements, coordinating equipment and training requirements, and for the exchange of essential information.

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. In this capacity, the incumbent will prepare recommendations for amendments to the regulations or proposed special crew training requirements or procedures for aircraft when needed, participate in the development of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved aircraft flight manuals, and represent the Flight Standards Service in the flight tests leading to type certification and service evaluation of the aircraft.

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. Determines safe limits of required maneuvers based on flight test results, and reviews flight test evaluations for possible unsafe characteristics of the aircraft.

Serves as Flight Standards Service representative and leader of the Flight Operations Evaluation Board to determine minimum aircraft instruments and equipment required for dispatch or continuance of flight.

Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates problem areas and initiates action to correct technical deficiencies associated with the operation and pilot training of the assigned aircraft.

Participates in the flight program as an aircrew member and, as such, must meet the medical and flight currency requirements in accordance with FAA policies and guidance.

Performs other certification activities, pilot evaluations/competencies, and enroute inspections when required.

Provides expert consultation in support of accident or incident investigations, analysis, and implementation of corrective actions related to the particular aircraft assigned.

May be requested to act as an aircraft specific course mentor and provide feedback on requests for equivalent training from Safety Assurance Offices.

Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
• Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate required.
• Applicants must complete FAA Form 3330-473.
• Must submit copies of certificates by closing date of announcement.

Qualifications

General Requirements for All Positions:

• Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 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 Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, and must meet all of the following requirements:

• Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted) without strain;
• Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted);
• Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft.

In addition, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of aircraft must:

• Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) regulations; and
• Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.

Applicants not requiring valid second-class medical certificates who are tentatively selected will be required to:

• Provide documentation from a board-certified physician certifying that they meet the minimal medical requirements; or
• Individuals who do not meet the minimum medical requirements but who are otherwise qualified will receive an individualized assessment to determine whether they can perform the essential functions of the position.

When the predominant work involves Rotorcraft-Helicopter, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft-Helicopter) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

a. Must hold an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating or a Commercial
Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating and Instrument-Helicopter rating.
b. Must hold a valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating and
Instrument Helicopter rating.
c. Minimum 1,500 total flight hours in an aircraft as pilot-in-command or second-in-command, 1,000
hours of which must be in helicopters.
d. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in a helicopter.
e. Minimum 100 flight hours in helicopters as pilot-in-command or second-in-command or 100 hours
as pilot in a Level D Simulator that replicates a helicopter, or any combination thereof, during the last
five (5) years.
f. Not more than two (2) flying accidents in the last five (5) years in which the applicant's pilot error
was involved

To qualify for this position at the FG-14/FV-J grade levels 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. Specialized experience is mastery of, and skill in applying, laws and regulations to inspection, investigation, enforcement, and/or compliance work. Assisting, conducting, or performing expert technical functions on certification activities for CFR Part 27 Normal Category Rotorcraft and CFR Part 29 Transport Category Rotorcraft and supporting helicopter specific CFR Parts 135, 61, 141, 133, 136 and 137 operations including helicopter restricted category operations. Solve problems demanding technologically advanced methods and innovative approaches.

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

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.

Applicants MUST submit a copy of their certificates/licenses unless they are currently occupying a Rotorcraft Helicopter 1825 series position. If the back side of the license contains the ratings, be sure to copy both sides. All forms/certificates/licenses must be submitted by closing date of announcement to receive consideration. Failure to do so will result in your application being rated incomplete.

• FAA-3330-473 : 2181/1825 Supplemental Qualifications Statement
• SF-15 : Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference

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