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Safety Management Systems Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Great Lakes Region, Airports Division, Safety & Standards Branch, AGL-620

Summary

This position serves as the regional coordinator for the Safety and Management System (SMS) program, in the Office of Airports (ARP), Airport District Office (ADO), Great Lakes Region (AGL). Is a recognized subject matter expert in a specialized area and provides leadership for highly complex and challenging activities under the minimal direction of a manager or executive.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/27/2026 to 04/09/2026
Salary
$124,957 to - $193,721 per year

Salary listed above includes a locality payment of 30.86%.

Pay scale & grade
FV J
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Des Plaines, IL
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - The job may require up to 25% travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes— - Fixed Rate PCS - Permanent Change of Station (Current Federal Employee) - In accordance with applicable FAA Travel regulations, a fixed relocation payment of $27,000 will be paid. Relocation expenses paid are subject to applicable taxes.
Appointment type
Permanent
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 ARP Except AEA.
Announcement number
AGL-ARP-26-0010-97754
Control number
862819400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent FAA employees

Duties

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As regional coordinator for the Safety Management Systems (SMS) program for AGL, will facilitate Airports Safety Risk Management (SRM) panels, serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) on SMS matters; train regional SMEs on SMS processes and represent AGL in national coordination of the SMS process. Applies knowledge of FAA's policies and objectives to identify, define, and organize resources for large projects/programs/work activities. Acquires and allocates resources to accomplish activities within established schedules and
budgetary requirements.

Works closely with the national Airports (ARP) SMS program manager, in reviewing the region's safety risk management documents, ensuring that the data developed through SMS is entered, tracked and analyzed as well as recommending improvements to SMS policies, procedures and/or guidance. As regional coordinator for the National Airspace System (NAS) for AGL, oversees coordination of AIP projects and related topics with the ADOs and other FAA organizations to ensure the projects are integrated in the NAS in a timely manner. Coordinates with ADO project managers, planners and other FAA organizations to ensure AIP funded projects are completed on time, including project pre-planning activities, procedure development, reviewing airspace cases, reimbursable agreements and minimizing operational impacts.

Contacts are internal and external. Often represents the major subdivision and LOB/SO as a principal point of contact to provide advice and guidance on the applications of policies and procedures. Formulates and recommends to senior management positions on major projects/ policies/issues. Develops briefings to convey strategic vision and/or organizational policies to internal and external audiences.

Provides leadership and advanced technical analysis in identifying and analyzing emerging issues, working both independently and collaboratively to develop and evaluate alternatives to resolve problems and improve existing processes. Often asked to develop new policies, procedures, and approaches that take into consideration FAA policies, Government-wide rules and regulations, and external concerns. May create new solutions and policy interpretations as situations require. Works with senior management to identify and resolve problems. Work typically is reviewed only at completion for success in achieving planned results. Has broad discretion to ensure the alignment of organizational goals and policies and the requirements of the projects and/or other work 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).
  • This position requires up to 25% travel.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I, FG/GS-13 grade level. 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:

• Expert knowledge of the External SMS program as it applies to and integrates with the requirements of 14 CFR Part 139.

• Extensive knowledge of the Internal SMS program as it applies to and integrates with FAA Order 5200.11.

• Advanced knowledge with various Airport programs, including but not limited to Airport Planning, Airport Improvement Program, and Airport Safety.

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


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

This position is located in Des Plaines, Illinois.

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.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and Leadership and Management 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 and referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Interviews will be conducted IAW applicable Collective Bargaining Unit Agreement and/or Agency Policy.

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

Alexis Martinez
Phone
1 (847) 294-7156
Fax
1 (847) 294-7858
Email
alexis.d.martinez@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
AGL Regional HR Services Branch
2300 E. Devon Ave., Room 250
AHF-N310
Des Plaines, IL 60018
US

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