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Special Program Investigator (Temporary - NTE 2 years)

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
AVS, Aircraft Certification Service, Business Operations Section (AIR-843)

Summary

This Section manages the Federal Aviation Administrative (FAA) Hotline and Suspected Unapproved Parts (SUPs) programs for the Aircraft Certification Service (AIR). This position is responsible for managing, executing, and tracking all activities associated with both programs, as well as communicating with the appropriate FAA office(s) for coordination, follow-up, and completion of reports.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/27/2026 to 04/09/2026
Salary
$95,489 to - $148,037 per year

Salary with locality will be determined at time of job offer.

Pay scale & grade
FV J
Location
4 vacancies in the following location:
FAA Location Negotiable Upon Request - See Additional Info
4 vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Travel Required
50% or less - The job may require up to 50% travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary promotion - 2 years OR Temporary Reassignment NTE 2 years
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
NA
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes - This position is represented by NATCA: Regional AIR - ACE ANM ANE ASW.
Announcement number
ACT-AVS-26-AIR843-97632
Control number
862739500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to Current Permanent FAA Employees Only.

Duties

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Serves as a lead investigator responsible for duties in one or more assigned program areas (i.e., FAA Administrator and Aviation Safety Hotlines, Whistleblowers, and SUPs). The incumbent is responsible for the planning, evaluation, and administration of critical and complex aviation safety analysis and evaluation for these programs, which are designed to identify and address risks. The incumbent conducts interviews, research internal and external records, gather evidence, follow leads, clearly articulate findings, prepare reports and documents, and work under tight deadlines. Applies knowledge of FAA regulations and policies and interacts with personnel in various FAA offices and companies.

For these program areas, the incumbent plans, conducts, monitors, and leads complex, comprehensive investigations, inspections, and evaluations related to companies for which the FAA has regulatory and oversight responsibilities. The incumbent researches, reviews, and analyzes information obtained during the investigative process to evaluate if allegations are substantiated and prepares an investigation report, as well as assists in any follow-up activities and/or status reports. Work activities may be extremely fluid and subject to rapid and frequent change. The incumbent will manage assigned FAA programs and deadlines, perform assessments, document analysis, and work with AIR Branch personnel and appropriate oversight offices to plan investigations, determine compliance with regulatory requirements, and identify any violations to FAA standards, orders, or regulations. The incumbent will help evaluate and conduct an analysis of the associated program data to identify trends or risks, and assess system performance. This includes developing and analyzing metrics associated with the programs, relative to the FAA. Based on this analysis, the incumbent makes recommendations to management as appropriate.

The incumbent reviews new or proposed laws, regulations, policies, rulings, etc. to identify any impacts on the management of assigned programs and projects involving investigations, inspections, analysis, and enforcement activities. Based on the identified impacts, the incumbent may recommend alternatives, changes, revisions, etc. to assigned program processes, policies and regulations to eliminate program risks and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the program’s performance.

Demonstrates flexibility and leadership in the performance of work activities, which encourage cooperation and joint efforts of stakeholders. Establishes and maintains appropriate liaison with the FAA, aviation industry, government officials, and law enforcement agencies essential to the program's effectiveness. Explores alternatives when resolving issues, identifies program improvement opportunities to include evaluating feedback, and uses tact and diplomacy when communicating solutions. The incumbent works collaboratively with line of business personnel to educate those asked to assist with the investigative process. Additionally, the incumbent will serve as a mentor to guide, train, and transition program duties to the new special program investigators joining the section.

The incumbent exercises a high degree of personal initiative in the accomplishment of assigned duties within the established guidance and policies and receives direction related to the program goals and objectives from the section manager. The incumbent is independently responsible and accountable for planning, managing, implementing, evaluating, and coordinating work necessary to meet program goals and objectives. Work accomplished is thorough, complete, and objective, and recommendations and decisions are accepted as technically sound. Management is kept informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far-reaching implications concerning funding, management, personnel problems, solutions, and program activities.

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

To view the complete qualification standard, applicants should reference- U.S. Office of Personnel Group Coverage Qualification Standard for General Inspection Investigation Enforcement and Compliance Series, 1801:

General Inspection Investigation Enforcement and Compliance Series 1801

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 is:Experience supporting the planning, evaluation, or administration of aviation safety analyses or related work across oversight, certification, investigations, inspections, evaluations, or similar activities, applying relevant standards, regulations, or policies.

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

All, some or none will be interviewed.

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. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements

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 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. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA)s.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Managerial and Leadership Dimensions listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical order and referred to the selecting official for consideration.

This is a temporary position not-to-exceed two (2) years. If this position remains temporary, upon completion of this assignment, the selected employee shall return to his/her original permanent position or an equivalent position in the same commuting area.

This temporary position may be extended, terminated, or made permanent without further competition at any time, at management's discretion.

This announcement may be used to fill other similar positions.

Travel Required- The job may require up to 50% of travel.

This position will be filled at an approved FAA AVS Facility. This is not a remote position.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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

At the FAA, the sky is not the limit—it is just the beginning. Exciting new opportunities are emerging in aviation and aerospace. Significant investments are advancing the research and development of autonomous vehicles, environmentally friendly electric aircraft, high-speed and long-endurance solar-powered aircraft, and new types of space vehicles. Success with these new technologies and vehicle types will introduce new ways to transport people and goods expanding aviation's footprint in transportation. People are our strength. We are a diverse workforce of over 44,000 located nationwide and spanning over 120 occupations to include air traffic control specialists, aviation safety inspectors, engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals. Join us in our mission to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

Agency contact information

Danielle Dombecki
Phone
1 (609) 485-4323
Fax
1 (609) 485-8995
Email
Danielle.C.Dombecki@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
ACT Regional HR Services Branch
Atlantic City International Airport, Bldg. 300
AHF-N710
Atlantic City, NJ 08405
US

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