Summary Serves as an Aerospace Engineer for the Aircraft Certification Service (AIR). AIR develops safety standards, policies, and guidance that govern the design, production, and airworthiness of aircraft, engines, propellers, parts and appliances (hereafter referred to as aviation products). In addition, AIR issues approvals and provides oversight of FAA approval holders, designees, and delegated organizations. Responsibilities The incumbent has responsibility for regulatory oversight of aircraft certification programs and continuing operational safety in propulsion systems, airframe/structures, electrical systems, mechanical systems, cabin safety and environmental systems, or flight test; applying safety management principles using experience, advanced engineering knowledge, and risk management techniques; and, investigating and identifying safety of flight issues using risk assessment tools, and utilizing policies and procedures to mitigate unsafe conditions through the use of airworthiness directives or other continued operational safety processes. Responsibilities include the review and evaluation of regulatory compliance for aviation product certification projects and initiation of safety determinations for continuing airworthiness. Oversees Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs) for technical and procedural compliance to the regulations. As a member of an Organization Management Team (OMT), provides comprehensive oversight for Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) holders. In cooperation with other pertinent AIR organizations, participates in supervision of Safety Management System (SMS) of design approval holders. The incumbent may also work with applicants for design approvals related to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 23, 25, 27, 29, or 33 and other 14 CFR parts as assigned. Incumbent applies concepts applicable to the perspective discipline to accomplish assignments and to develop plans and techniques to improve programs and policies. Understands how his/her technical area interacts with or is affected by other disciplines and considers the objectives of the major subdivision and LOB/SO when developing, integrating, and implementing solutions to diverse, complex problems. Performs multiple, varying, and complex assignments and plans the implementation of projects/programs under limited direction of a manager, project/program manager, or more experienced engineer. May act as a contributing specialist on large work activities or as a team leader for single or small work activities. Work is reviewed periodically, typically at major milestones and at completion, for technical compliance and alignment with the requirements of the project or other work activity. Defines, plans, and organizes assigned resources to accomplish organizational objectives. Allocates resources to accomplish small work-activities within established schedules. Established policies/procedures provide guidance for most assignments, but allow considerable discretion to select the most appropriate approach or to recommend new approaches. Assignments typically require solutions that are to be derived by interpreting and extrapolating from situations that were faced in the past. Provides recommendations to improve work processes. Contacts are internal and external to the organizational unit. May act as a key technical point of contact for assigned activities. Contributes to the preparation of management/technical reports or contractual documents, and may be called upon to communicate the overall results of a project or work activity to FAA management, the aviation and aerospace industries, and other external parties. Work activities typically support and may be vital to the success of projects or activities of one or more organizational units, subdivisions, and LOB's/SO's. In some areas, the work may affect the safety and security of customers. Provides guidance to lower-level staff to solve difficult technical issues. Identifies and informs management of problems that require their attention. Often develops and recommends techniques to address problem situations. Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment We are not accepting applications from noncitizens. Qualifications Basic Requirements: Successful completion of a full four-year professional engineering curriculum leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in engineering in an accredited college or university. To be acceptable the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the ABET as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b)strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics; OR, ALTERNATIVE REQUIREMENTS: Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration: Current registration as a professional engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico; Written Test: Evidence of having successfully passed the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) examination, or the written test required for professional registration, which is administered by the Boards of Engineering Examiners in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico; Specified academic courses: Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum as described in paragraph A; Related curriculum: - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field, e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. For more information on the alternate methods, please refer to the OPM Qualification Standards for Engineering at: http://main.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs0800/0800.htm, Specialized Experience for I-Band: In addition to the basic/alternative qualification requirements identified above, all applicants must demonstrate one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (FV-H or FG/GS-11). Specialized experience is experience which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and that is typically in or directly related to work of the position to be filled. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE includes: Experience applying engineering concepts, principles and practices to the design, modification, and continued airworthiness in one of the following area: aircraft airframe structures, aircraft propulsion systems, aircraft electrical/avionics systems, aircraft mechanical systems, or aircraft cabin safety. Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job. 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 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. Education This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page). Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration. Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/accreditation. Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered. 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/financialdisclosure_requirements The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family. These vacant positions are located in AIR-762 and AIR-765. Please note, vacant position for AIR-762 is located in Fort Worth, Texas only. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill future vacancies in any of the other AIR-700 Division offices or duty locations. Applicants must apply on-line to receive consideration for this vacancy announcement. Faxed, mailed or emailed applications cannot be accepted. Some, none, or all candidates may be interviewed. This position has a positive education requirement. Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may result in you not being considered for the job. Please upload supporting documents into USAJOBS or [email protected] and reference the announcement number. Security Requirement: Selection and placement are contingent upon waiver or completion of satisfactory security requirements. Moderate Risk (5). The position requires completion and favorable adjudication of a background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained. Subject to a 5-year periodic reinvestigation. This is a bargaining unit position. This position is represented by NATCA: Regional AIR - ACE ANM ANE ASW. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay , COLA