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Senior Aviation Safety Officer

Department of Energy
National Nuclear Security Administration
Office of Secure Transportation

Summary

This position is in the Office of Secure Transportation, Office of Program Integration, Aviation Operations Division, and is a non-secondary position. The primary purpose of the position is to support the Senior Aviation Management Official.



Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply in 3 days
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 12, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$157,980 - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
NQ 4
Promotion potential
4
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Q Access Authorization
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
26-NA-15-OST-XA-00487-NNSA
Control number
872079500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current NNSA Federal employees with competitive status only. NNSA employees with CTAP or RPL eligibility.

Duties

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As a Senior Aviation Safety Officer, you will:

  • Provide expert technical advice to AVM's and ASO's in developing Aviation Safety Reviews [ASR] and/or Aviation.
  • Provide expert guidance on the integrated safety management system as provided by the DOE P 450.4A, Safety Management System Policy appropriate to the scope of operations and on public Aircraft Operation determinations and Federal Aviation Regulations for civil operations.
  • Provide expert guidance on Public Aircraft Operation Determinations and Federal Aviation Regulations for civil operations.
  • Provide Department level safety and standardization assistance and support to the DOE and NNSA Aviation enterprise while serving as the Senior Aviation Safety Official.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Subject to Random Drug Testing
  • Must pass a pre-employment drug test.
  • Favorable suitability determination required.
  • Financial Disclosure is required.
  • Must be able to obtain/maintain a Q level Security Clearance.
  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
  • Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification.
  • May be required to successfully complete a one (1) year probationary or two (2) year trial period. Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
  • Must be able to obtain certification in the DOE's Technical Qualification Program (TQP) within 18 months of start date. This position is covered by the Technical Qualification Program (TQP), which requires the incumbent to acquire and demonstrate competencies identified in the TQP Functional Area Qualification and Field Office specific standards and requires certification of the competencies by NNSA supervision and TQP qualifying officials. https://ntc.doe.gov/student/stp/techqualprogram.
  • Please limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, you will be disqualified.
Probationary periods are required for new employees appointed to competitive service positions for the first time; or reinstated employees who return to Federal service after a break in service of 30-days or more and who have not completed a probationary period will need to complete the requirement. Trial periods are required for all excepted service employees. Trial periods served in the same position and agency with no break in service will satisfy the requirement.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA Demonstration Project pay band or GS grade level in the Federal service, i.e., NQ-03 pay band or GS-14 level. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Requires at least one year of experience demonstrating at the knowledge of and ability to apply FAA, DOE, and NNSA aviation laws, regulations, and guidelines to provide expert technical advice for inspection, investigation, and enforcement activities. Must have knowledge of requirements for manned and unmanned aircraft and helicopter operations conducted in the civil sector per 14 CFR Parts 91, 121, 133, and/or 135. Requires expert knowledge of regulations and laws pertaining to civil aircraft maintenance and operations. Must have comprehensive knowledge of aircraft use in diverse applications, including transportation, research and development projects, power line and pipeline construction using helicopters, remote sensing, atmospheric research, and surveillance/site protection systems.

Examples of Specialized Experience:

  • Developed Aviation Safety Review (ASR) and/or Aviation Safety Documentation (ASD).
  • Provided expert technical direction / guidance to organizations performing aviation-related services in accordance with the laws, rules, regulations, and/or contract statement of work and/or the CRD included in the contract, e.g., regulations, policies, and standards contractors are to follow.
  • Provided expert guidance on the integrated safety management system appropriate to the scope of operations and on public Aircraft Operation determinations, Federal Aviation Regulations for civil operations, and manned or unmanned aviation systems platforms.
  • Participated in aviation accident or incident investigations, assists in accident investigation boards during their investigations, identifies and reports safety concerns to senior management to ensure elimination of potential aviation hazards, and serves as a member of a General Services Administration (GSA)-led Flight Assessment Safety Assessment Team auditor and/or an Interagency Committee for Aviation Policy subcommittee member.
  • Developed required reports and information which may include reports required by OMB Circulars A-11 Section 300, Preparation, Submission and Execution of the Budget, A-76, Performance of Commercial Activities; OMB Circular A-126, Improving the Management and Use of Government Aircraft; and reports required by Aviation Management and Safety policies, processes, and procedures.


"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
  • More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
  • All positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
  • All males born after December 31,1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
  • In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
EEO Policy: Click HERE.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Click HERE.
Veterans Information: Click HERE.
Telework: Click HERE.
Selective Service Registration: Click HERE.

Information about the NNSA Demonstration project can be found by clicking HERE.

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.

THE APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS WILL BE IN TWO STAGES:

Minimum Qualifications:
Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Office will review the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.

Structured Resume Review: The Human Resources Office/Subject Matter Expert will review the first two pages of your resume to determine your technical qualifications.

Additional documentation (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) may not be considered.

A quality review will then be conducted by the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME). Your application is rated based on the extent and quality of your experience, education (if applicable to the job), and training described in your online resume/questionnaire as related to the duties of this position. The quality categories are usually defined as "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified" and "Qualified". Veterans Preference eligible candidates will be listed at the top of whichever category your score places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.

Your application and resume shall demonstrate that you possess the following Competencies. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the Competencies identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application.

  • Technical Competence
  • Project Management
  • Technical Documentation
If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified'.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the link below.
https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12976057

National Nuclear Security Administration


Would you like to play a key role in a critical mission? If so, then the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has a great opportunity. The OST provides safe and secure transportation of nuclear weapons, components and materials. This position is located in the Office of Secure Transportation (OST), Office of Program Integration (OPI), Aviation Operations Division. Serves as the Senior Aviation Safety Officer.

Agency contact information

Keith Ross
Email
keith.ross@nnsa.doe.gov
Address
NNSA - Office of Secure Transportation
24600 20th St SE
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5507
US

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