Summary This is an Aviation Safety Inspector position for Aircraft Evaluation Division, Rotorcraft Branch, AFS-140. Leads Flight Standardization Boards (FSB) and Flight Operation Evaluation Boards (FOEB) for assigned aircraft. In this capacity, the individual will be responsible for board activities, team dynamics, and will foster an environment of inclusion and teamwork to produce the FSB and FOEB Reports. May also serve as a member of Type Certification Boards for assigned aircraft. Responsibilities Responsible for applying expert knowledge of and experience with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for FAA field personnel and the public governing all matters to general aviation rotorcraft safety issues. Provides the flight operations emphasis and crew representation in all phases of developmental work involved prior to certification and subsequent to placing such aircraft into service regarding modifications, upgrades, and operational issues. The work of this position has considerable impact on the level of safety achieved during the training of pilots and initial industry operation of the aircraft. Evaluates detailed flight characteristics of the aircraft in order to establish training requirements, which will be used as standards and guidelines for operations inspectors in evaluating and approving training programs. Must develop a detailed knowledge of the aircraft's instrument and component systems in order to develop a sound and reasonable list of minimum instruments and equipment to be required for initial dispatch of the aircraft to ensure operational safety of the aircraft. Responsible for providing information to aviation safety inspectors on all modification and procedural changes to the aircraft in order to attain optimum safety and efficiency in its operation. Has contacts at all levels within Flight Standards Service and Aircraft Certification Service. Contacts involve industry representatives including pilots, operators and/or personnel in charge of flight-testing for aircraft manufacturers. Contacts are also with foreign government aviation officials and manufacturers on an international basis. These contacts will be for the purpose of coordinating and resolving problems imposed by certification and operations requirements, coordinating equipment and training requirements, and for the exchange of essential information. Serves as a member of the Type Certification Board, Flight Test Group and as advisor to the aircraft certification on flight operation problems involved in the certification processes of newly designed aircraft preparatory to the aircraft being type certificated and introduced into service. Prepare recommendations for amendments to the regulations or proposed special crew training requirements or procedures for aircraft when needed, participate in the development of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved aircraft flight manuals, and represent the Flight Standards Service in the flight tests leading to type certification and service evaluation of the aircraft. Serve as a representative of the Flight Standards Service and leader of the Flight Standardization Board, recommend to the appropriate Flight Standards division the appropriate pilot certificate type rating and specific training program standards to be used for training of flight crews or FAA inspectors receiving training in aircraft. Determines safe limits of required maneuvers based on flight test results, and reviews flight test evaluations for possible unsafe characteristics of the aircraft. Serves as Flight Standards Service representative and leader of the Flight Operations Evaluation Board to determine minimum aircraft instruments and equipment required for dispatch or continuance of flight. Keeps abreast of all modifications, changes, and technical advances for assigned aircraft to assure continued safe operation. Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates problem areas and initiates action to correct technical deficiencies associated with the operation and pilot training of the assigned aircraft. Works with operators introducing new aircraft into service to assure that FAA keeps abreast of current operational problems. Participates in the flight program as an aircrew member and, as such, must meet the medical and flight currency requirements in accordance with FAA policies and guidance. Requirements Conditions of Employment We are not accepting applications from noncitizens. 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 for All Positions: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following requirements: Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted); Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others 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 the aircraft must: Possess a valid second – class medical certificate in accordance with 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 Rotorcraft-Helicopter, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft-Helicopter,) positions must meet all of the following requirements. Minimum 100 flight hours in Rotorcraft-Helicopter in the last three years. Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating with Instrument or Airline Transport Pilot with Helicopter Rating. Flight Instructor Certificate Rotorcraft-Helicopter, Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter Rating. 1,200 hours of total time requirements (1,000 in actual flight conditions, 250 hours of night flight in which 15 hours are in a helicopter). Flight time requirement in helicopters of 250 hours, which includes at least 75 hours as a pilot-in- command, or as second-in- command performing duties of a pilot-in-command under the supervision of a pilot- in-command, or any combination thereof. Cross-country flight time requirement of 500 hours. Instrument flight time requirement of 75 hours in actual or simulated instrument meteorological conditions, of which at least 50 hours are obtained in flight with at least 25 hours in helicopters as pilot-in-command, or as second-in-command performing the duties of a pilot-in-command under the supervision of a pilot-in- command, or any combination thereof. 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/GS-13. 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 experience as an ASI (Rotorcraft-Helicopter). Extensive knowledge and experience in general aviation civil aircraft operations to include, flight instruction, and one or more of the following: air transportation, corporate operations, air ambulance, agricultural operations, and banner towing or law enforcement. Knowledge and extensive experience in rotorcraft operations; regulations, operator practices, and research to assure compliance with established policies, precedents, standards, procedures, practices, methods, and techniques. Mastery of, and skill in applying, laws and regulations to inspection, investigation, enforcement, and/or compliance work. Developing new techniques, legal processes and approaches, requiring mastery of advanced principles and concepts of a field sufficient to develop agency-wide policies, procedures, and strategies; provide expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to agency management and other senior agents, officers, or inspectors on critical operations; make recommendations which change the interpretation of laws, lead to new case law decisions, or influence the development and modification of significant policies or programs; plan the requirements for, set up, and manage large-scale and/or multi-jurisdictional investigations where methods are subject to changing legal admissibility; collect and analyze operational and strategic intelligence from wide-ranging sources including Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, military departments, foreign governments, financial institutions, and technology companies; develop new approaches in response to identified weaknesses and vulnerabilities of ongoing operations; or solve problems demanding technologically advanced methods and innovative approaches. Perform certification activities, pilot evaluations, and enroute inspections. Provide expert consultation in support of accident or incident investigations. Recency of experience (minimum flight hours in the last three years) is waived for applicants currently in the position of Aviation Safety Inspector, FG-1825. For Lateral Movements Between 1825 Specialties: To assist in determining qualification requirements, applicants transferring between specialties at the same grade level are strongly encouraged to complete the appropriate Qualifications Assessment Tool (QAT) check sheet and upload it along with their resume. Check sheets are contained in Order 3410.26, Flight Standards Service Air Carrier and General Aviation Qualifications Assessment Tool for AFS Aviation Safety Inspectors. This order is located at: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/3410.26.pdf. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Education 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. This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing. 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. How You Will Be Evaluated for Internal Announcements: Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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. In-grade/downgrade applications will be accepted. Duty Location: Selectee will be required to report to an FAA Flight Standards Duty Location which may be discussed at selection. Position is telework eligible in accordance with Agency Policy. Applicants MUST submit a copy of their certificates/licenses/FAA Form 3330-47-3 unless they are currently occupying an Operations 1825 series position. If the back side of the license contains the ratings, be sure to copy both sides. All forms/certificates/licenses must be submitted by closing date of announcement to receive consideration. Failure to do so will result in your application being rated incomplete. This is a bargaining unit position. This position is represented by PASS: Flight Standards Services. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay , COLA