Aviation Safety Inspector (Air Carrier Avionics - APPM)

Summary

The Assistant Partial Program Manager (Avionics) Part 121 serves as full assistant to a Partial Program Manager (Avionics) Part 121 who is assigned a portion of the airworthiness program performing inspections, surveillance, and certification duties for air carriers, air operators, air agencies, airmen, and designees. The Inspector has program responsibility to assure that assigned organizations meet Federal Aviation Regulations with maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alteration programs.

Duties

Under the general direction of the Front Line Manager or Supervisory Principal Avionics Inspector, assists the Partial Program Manager (Avionics), in accomplishing the following duties: A. Technical Administration Within assigned technical program, assures on a continuing basis that organizations are properly and adequately organized, staffed, and equipped; have and conduct an adequate training program, including an acceptable record keeping system; and have facilities and procedures that meet all regulatory requirements. Regularly visits the organization's stations and other offices to maintain contact with their management officials; coordinates with the principal inspector for correction of any deficiencies/discrepancies. Develops maintenance program requirements through participation on Maintenance Review Boards. Coordinates Minimum Equipment List (MEL) approvals with the principal operations inspector. Takes enforcement action in instances of noncompliance with the MEL. Conducts enforcement investigations and prepares final reports and recommendations on disposition. Performs the emergency suspension of certificates or cancellations of operations specifications. Conducts or directs the reexamination of certificated airmen or recertification of an operator or agency. Conducts investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries, and aircraft incidents and accidents. Provides verbal and/or written technical assistance to legal counsel, testifies at court trials and formal hearings, and gives depositions. Coordinates with geographic inspectors for the accomplishment of nonroutine air carrier surveillance. B. Certification The inspector is responsible for initial and ongoing certification of air carriers, aircraft, airmen, and air agencies. Makes recommendations on the appointment of designees. Evaluates requests to operate under conditions not previously specified in the maintenance portion of the operations specifications and approves or disapproves requests and provides additional conditions and limitations as needed. Provides guidance to the assigned air carrier in the development of required maintenance manuals and record keeping systems. Reviews and determines adequacy of manuals associated with the air carrier's maintenance programs and revisions thereto. Assures that manuals and revisions comply with regulatory requirements, prescribe safe practices, and furnish clear and specific instructions governing maintenance programs. Approves operations specifications and amendments thereto. Determines if the maintenance facilities being established or contract arrangements entered into by air carriers for the purpose of overhaul work, major repairs, alterations, and other maintenance are satisfactory. Reviews changes and negotiates with air carrier management to resolve problems. Determines if overhaul and inspection time limitations warrant revision. Evaluates an operator's proposed reliability programs for compliance with national policies. Advises operator of deficiencies and required changes. Approves/disapproves reliability programs. Determines if the air carrier's training program meets the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), is compatible with the maintenance program, is properly organized and effectively conducted, and results in trained and competent personnel. Directs or participates in proving flight evaluations to determine compliance with the CFRs. Recommends changes that will be required prior to approval. C. Surveillance Directs and/or performs the inspection and surveillance of the air carrier's continuous airworthiness maintenance program. Monitors all phases of the air carrier's maintenance operation, including the following: maintenance, engineering, quality control, production control, training, and reliability programs. Analyzes trends to detect a deterioration in the maintenance program. May be assigned other duties and responsibilities

Qualifications

General Requirements for All Positions: Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years; Valid State driver's license; Fluency in the English language; No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and 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, and must meet all of the following requirements: Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted) without strain; Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or 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 aircraft must: Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) regulations; and 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: Provide documentation from a board-certified physician certifying that they meet the minimal medical requirements; or 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 air carrier avionics, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements. Aircraft avionics experience involving the maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of installed avionics systems on aircraft. Avionics maintenance experience on aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight. Aircraft avionics work experience (which could include supervision or auditing) in a repair station; air carrier repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency within the last 3 years. In addition to meeting the minimum requirements, applicants for the FG-13 level must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression (GS/FG-12 or Pay Band H), as an Aviation Safety Inspector, Air Carrier Avionics. Specialized experience includes: Monitoring, planning or conducting inspection programs; Assuring that assigned organizations are properly and adequately organized, staffed, and equipped; have and conduct an adequate training program, including an acceptable record keeping system; and have facilities and procedures that meet all regulatory requirements; Responsibility for the conduct of enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition. Part 121 Avionics experience For more information regarding the minimum eligibility requirements for Aviation Safety Inspector's please visit the following website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs1800/1825.htm. To assist in determining qualification requirements, applicants transferring between specialties at the same grade level are strongly encouraged to complete the appropriate Qualifica