Clarification from the agency

Opent to current FAA employees

Serves as a technical expert in the development of policy and regulatory guidance concerning unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), general aviation operations. May be expected to perform oversight (compliance and monitoring), and ensures that changes to appropriate orders are coordinated with key FAA UAS stakeholders. and provides necessary guidance for aviation safety inspectors to ensure compliance with all general. special, and safety provisions of UAS.

The inspector performs assignments or great scope and unusual complexity. Exercises a high level o f technical expertise to assess knowledge and practical testing procedures, implications of policy changes. new legislation, operational problems, and other significant technical issues under consideration. Independently plans, develops, conducts and manages revisions to handbooks , standards and FAApolicy documents.

Provides leadership in assessment of policy issue, evaluation of existing policies, and assessment of policy alternatives for remedying the problem. The work may involve conducting strategic planning and analysis to identify policy and program shortfalls. gaps in planned capability. and opportunities for improving system performance. Conducts special projects/studies and prepares staff studies and issue papers. Participates on regional or national working groups and panels for the purpose of providing technical assistance and resolving highly complex and controversial problems of critical importance to flight safety. May be called upon to justify recommendations for new policies, standards or program changes.

Independently plans and organizes work activities and identities resources to accomplish program objectives. Participates in the development of national program guidelines and standards that provide direction for the planning and accomplishment of essential inspector resource and airman certification program activities. Recommends conformity to, or changes to aviation regulations. policies , and procedures to ensure compliance by the aviation public in the interest of flight safety. The inspector follows established laws , regulations, orders, policies. and procedures that cover most assignments, but sometimes require interpretation and application of precedent cases.

Provides regulatory and non-regulatory responses to correct general aviation safety concerns based on analysis and recommendations. Provides guidelines, standards, certification methods. and other written products to implement policies for addressing safety of unmanned aircraft systems and operations. Continuously reviews established rules, regulations, and standards concerning general aviation and commercial aircraft to assure currency and to ensure that these documents arc reasonable, necessary, and acceptable.

Plans the use or time and resources involving routine assignments . He or she demonstrates some independence in planning the use of time and resources when performing new assignments in support of branch initiatives. Contacts are primarily internal to the organization. although there may be external contacts from the aviation industry commensurate with the nature of the assignment. Contacts are made to share information, provide data. acquire information, and justify recommendations.

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)
• Selectee must maintain a valid First or Second Class Medical Certificate.

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.

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.

When the predominant work involves general aviation operations, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

1. Valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate with single and multi-engine airplane and instrument airplane ratings. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in an aircraft.
2. Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a flight check to Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument rating;
3. Possession of Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating.
4. Minimum of 100 flight hours within the last 3 years.
5. Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours.
6. Possession of single and multi-engine land airplane ratings.
7. Not more than 2 flying accidents in the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved.
8. Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate.

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

a. Minimum 100 flight hours in Rotorcraft-Helicopter in the last three years.

b. Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating with Instrument or Airline Transport Pilot with Helicopter Rating.

c. Flight Instructor Certificate Rotorcraft-Helicopter, Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter Rating.

d. 1,200 hours of total time requirements (1,000 in actual flight conditions, 250 hours of night flight in which 15 hours are in a helicopter).

e. Flight time requirement in helicopters of 250 hours, which includes at least 75 hours as a pilot-in- command, or as second-in-command performing duties of a pilot-in-command under the supervision of a pilot- in-command, or any combination thereof.

f. Cross-country flight time requirement of 500 hours.

g. Instrument flight time requirement of 75 hours in actual or simulated instrument meteorological conditions, of which at least 50 hours are obtained in flight with at least 25 hours in helicopters as pilot-in-command, or as second-in-command performing the duties of a pilot-in-command under the supervision of a pilot-in- command, or any combination thereof.

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: Experience with regulatory guidance concerning unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), general aviation operations. Conducting strategic planning and analysis to identify policy and program shortfalls, gaps in planned capability and opportunities for improving system performance. Providing regulatory and non-regulatory responses to correct general aviation safety concerns based on analysis and recommendations.

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

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.

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.