Clarification from the agency

Open to AVS and AMA-200 Line of Business Employees

The incumbent is 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 general aviation rotorcraft safety issues.

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. Develops 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. Provides 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.

Contacts involve industry representatives including pilots, operators and/or personnel in charge of flight-testing 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 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. 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.

Serves 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, 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.

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 operation and pilot training of the assigned aircraft.

Works with operators introducing new aircraft into service to assure that FAA keeps abreast of current operational problems.

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.

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

Conditions of employment

• Review the Additional Information Section of this vacancy announcement for important information regarding your COVID vaccine status.
• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents)
• Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
• Must possess a valid second class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations.

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 for All Positions:

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 helicopter-rotorcraft, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector positions must meet all of the following requirements.

1. Minimum of 100 flight hours in Rotorcraft-Helicopter in the last 3 years
2. Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating with Instrument or Airline Transport Pilot with Helicopter Rating
3. Flight Instructor Certificate Rotorcraft-Helicopter, Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter Rating
4. 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)
5. 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
6. Cross-country flight time requirement of 500 hours
7. Instrument flight time requirements 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

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

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 in the Federal Service. 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 includes experience as an Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft-Helicopter), experience and skill in applying laws and regulations to inspections, investigations, enforcement and or compliance work. Providing expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to agency management and other senior agents.

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 Qualification Assessment Tool for AFS Aviation Safety Inspectors. This order is located at: https://my.faa.gov/org/linebusiness/avs/offices/afx/tools/qat.html

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

In-grade/downgrade applications will be accepted.

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.