Aviation Safety Inspector (General Aviation Flight Oversight)

Summary

This position is in the General Aviation and Commercial Division, Training and Certification Branch, AFS-810. The Training and Certification Branch is responsible for developing and overseeing policy, standards, testing, and certification programs for airmen, under 14 CFR parts 61, 65, 141, and 147, to support airmen for safe operations in the National Airspace System (NAS).

Duties

Provides expert advice and guidance in the formulation, development and conduct of highly complex, controversial, and significant studies and projects at the national level. Provides recommendations involving the planning, conduct, gathering of requirements, and development of business model approaches including automation and tools to support the project and identification of risk areas/concerns. Works with teams of multiple disciplines that are involved in developing and implementing new business processes, automation, policy changes, and procedures, including program improvement designs for Flight Standards products with a specific focus and expertise in general aviation operations. Utilizes appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques to determine integration, work methods, practices, and procedures for Flight Standards products. Plans and conducts periodic in-depth evaluations and focused inspections involving the aviation and Air Transportation industry; evaluates Inspector Resources for the oversight of operators with high-risk profiles. Provides technical support and conducts research for internal stakeholders related to a variety of issues. Reviews Safety Assurance office requests to ensure all safety critical information is received from external stakeholders. Provides education, resources and support when Safety Assurance offices are resource constrained. Serves an aviation safety inspector responsible for reviewing and evaluating, on a continuing basis, established rules and regulations related to assigned technical programs to ensure that they have kept pace with the needs to which they were directed and that they are still reasonable, necessary, and adequate. Responsible for the preparation of Federal Register notices regarding assigned technical programs for original petitions for exemptions and analysis of technical input from other employees within Flight Standards. Also, the incumbent coordinates with other Aviation Safety and Flight Standards Organizations to develop a complete analysis and appropriate response. Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of division policy in assigned programs areas to include evaluation and analysis. Develops policies, including advisory circulars, inspector guidelines, and training standards related to certification, inspection, surveillance and operation of assigned program areas. Reviews and evaluates, on a continuing basis, established rules and regulations to assure they have kept pace with needs to which they were directed and that they are still reasonable, necessary, and adequate. Assures effective coordination of assigned programs and activities with Safety Assurance offices, other organizational segments of the Division, the Agency and organizations outside of the agency. Participates in national and international working groups and panels with other organization elements of the agency, or other government agencies, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and industry representatives for the purpose of resolving complex and controversial problems having a direct influence on the safety of assigned technical programs operations, facilities, and equipment. Provides expert technical leadership, instruction and oversight; assures timely and accurate work and on-the-job accomplishment; notifies supervisor on work accomplishments, milestones, program initiates, training needs and potential problems. Prepares a variety of correspondence to other organizations within Flight Standards, aviation industry, other governmental agencies, Members of Congress, and the general public, much of which is highly technical and of high priority. Assures that correspondence is properly coordinated and that it is technically and grammatically accurate, clear and concise, and that its tone and content reflect the philosophy, policies, and objectives of Flight Standards and the FAA.

Qualifications

FLIGHT OVERSIGHT: Flight Oversight ASIs do not conduct certification (pilot evaluating, testing, and checking) job functions as a required crewmember, including safety pilot. The incumbent will not, in any scenario, act as a required crewmember or safety pilot of an aircraft. Flight Oversight ASIs apply a broad knowledge of the aviation industry, aviation safety, and Federal aviation laws, regulations, and policies. Basic Requirements. All applicants must meet the following basic requirements: a. Not more than two separate incidents involving Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations violations in the last five years; b. Valid State driver's license; c. Fluency in the English language; d. No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and e. High school diploma or equivalent. Medical Requirements. Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the ASI position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following: a. Have good distance vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted); b. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and c. Not have any physical conditions that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or that would interfere with their ability to operate/occupy a flight deck observer's seat (jump seat) or a cabin passenger seat in a variety of aircraft. General Aviation (Flight Oversight) Aviation Safety Inspector Qualification Requirements. In addition to meeting the basic and medical requirements, applicants must meet the following additional qualification requirements: a. Must hold a valid or expired Flight Instructor Certificate with an aircraft category rating or have experience serving as an instructor as part of an approved program or course (e.g., Title 14 CFR Part 121, 135, 141, or 142, or Uniformed Services) which provided instruction in an aircraft or an approved flight simulation training device representing an aircraft. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in an aircraft, an approved flight simulation training device representing an aircraft, or a combination of both. b. Must hold a valid Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument airplane rating. c. Three years of experience working in an organization with an air carrier, commercial operator, or air agency certificate, an organization whose work has led to the certification of individual airmen, or an organization that operated aircraft. d. Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours. e. Possession of airplane category and single-engine and multi-engine land (airplane) ratings. f. Not more than two flying accidents in the last five years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved. 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-13 grade levels. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Experience includes advanced knowledge of General Aviation and Commercial division archive systems, associated goals, priorities, policies, and commitments of the assigned organization and their interrelationship with other internal and external programs and activities. Mastery of a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods for assessing or improving management processes and systems and for analyzi