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Aviation Safety Inspector Human Factors (Maintenance)

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Flight Standards Service, Aircraft Evaluation Division
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located within the Aircraft Evaluation Division (AED) and will be assigned to multiple AED Offices. The incumbent serves as a Maintenance Inspector with a specialization in human factors. The incumbent supports the office of Aviation Safety on matters specifically related to human factors. Provides the operational maintenance representation in all phases of developmental work involved prior to certification and subsequent to placing such aircraft into service.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/06/2020 to 04/27/2020
Salary
$107,807 - $170,956 per year

Salary includes locality pay to be determined based upon duty location

Pay scale & grade
FG 14
Location
8 vacancies in the following location:
FAA Nationwide-Selectee Remains in Current Duty Location, United States
8 vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - The job may require travel from time- to-time, but not on a regular basis. The travel may be for training or other work-related duties.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
NA
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
AGL-AFS-20-0020-66771
Control number
564797900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to permanent FAA employees

Duties

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The work of this position has considerable impact on the level of safety achieved during the training of maintenance personnel and initial industry operation of the aircraft. Incumbent evaluates detailed maintenance procedures of the aircraft in order to establish maintenance procedure requirements which will be used as standards and guidelines for maintenance inspectors in evaluating and approving Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA). Likewise, incumbent must 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. Incumbent is also 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 maintenance.

The incumbent has contacts at all levels within the regional and Washington D.C. offices of FAA. Contacts involve industry representatives including engineers, maintenance personnel, operators and/or personnel in charge of maintenance for aircraft manufacturers. Contacts are also with foreign government aviation officials and manufacturers on an international basis. These contacts will be for the purpose of coordinating and resolving problems imposed by certification and maintenance requirements, coordinating equipment and training requirements and for the exchange of essential information.

Specifically, the incumbent will apply human factors knowledge and principles in the following:

Supports the Maintenance Review Board (MRB) Chair in Type Certification Board, and as advisor to certification of maintenance 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 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.

Acting as a representative of the Flight Standards Service, the incumbent will support the MRB Chair for the establishment of national standards for scheduled maintenance programs on assigned aircraft. The incumbent must obtain input from a variety of sources from within the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as from manufacturers and operators in the establishment of these uniform minimum maintenance standards. Serves as Flight Standards Service representative and supports the MRB Chair to determine component systems and equipment required for dispatch or continuance of flight.

On a continuing basis, incumbent keeps abreast of all modifications, changes, and technical advances for assigned aircraft to assure continued safe operation. Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates problem areas and initiates action to correct technical deficiencies associated with the maintenance of the assigned aircraft.

Provides technical and administrative leadership to agency maintenance programs within assigned areas of responsibility and represents the agency on assigned areas as directed. Provides expert consultation in support of accident or incident investigations, analysis, and implementation of corrective actions related to the particular aircraft assigned.

Incumbent will be expected to work with FSDOs and/or CMOs and be able to work with operators introducing new aircraft into service. Incumbent will have knowledge of and work effectively with Organization Designation Authorizations (ODAs).

Requirements

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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

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.

When the predominant work involves air carrier maintenance, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

  1. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and systems of multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight maintained under an airworthiness maintenance and inspection program.
  2. Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency.
  3. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness.
  4. Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years.
  5. FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings.

When the predominant work involves general aviation maintenance, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) 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 less 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.

Note - Recency is waived for applicants currently in the 1825 series.

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:

  1. 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);
  2. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and
  3. 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.

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

  1. Possess a valid second – class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations; and
  2. 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:

  1. Provide documentation from a board-certified physician certifying that they meet the minimal medical requirements; or
  2. 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.

Specialized Experience:

To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I, FG/GS-13. 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 may include but not limited to: knowledge and experience in human factors issues affecting evaluation of maintenance procedures from a human factors perspective; evaluation of maintenance suitability and maintenance procedures; involvement in human factors aspects of accident and incidents investigation; or human factors aspects of safety risk analysis or other safety programs.

This position has a Quality Ranking Factor (QRF). QRFs are knowledge, skills, and abilities that could be expected to enhance significantly performance in a position, but are not essential for satisfactory performance. Applicants who possess such KSA's may be ranked above those who do not, but no one may be rated ineligible solely for failure to possess such KSA's.

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. This order is located at: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/3410.26.pdf.

Education

Quality Ranking Factor:

Minimum of a 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major or equivalent in Human Factors, Behavioral Science, Engineering, or Psychology for all specializations except clinical psychology and counseling psychology. Note: a Master’s degree or Ph.D. preferred.

Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page).

Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.

Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered.

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.

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) 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.

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

Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA.



This is a bargaining unit position.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay , COLA

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.

Federal Aviation Administration

Thanks to the work of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), over the past 50 years, aviation has become central to the way we live and do business, linking people from coast to coast and connecting America to the world. In fact, FAA has created the safest, most reliable, most efficient, and most productive air transportation system in the world.

Agency contact information

Diana Maiello
Phone
(847) 294-7732
Fax
(847) 294-7858
Email
diana.maiello@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
AGL Regional HR Services Division
2300 E. Devon Ave., Room 250
AHF-C200
Des Plaines, IL 60018
US

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