Aviation Safety Inspector (General Aviation - Maintenance)

Summary

The Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) is responsible for applying substantial 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) field personnel and the public governing all matters to general aviation maintenance safety issues.

Help

Duties

The PMI receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The PMI, mostly independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work. The PMI provides policy assistance to field level Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) on difficult or complex policy interpretations. The work is normally accepted without change. Completed work may be reviewed for adherence to FAA policy and for assurance that project requirements have been fulfilled.

Some FG-14 assignments involve Service wide responsibility for application of expert knowledge of general aviation maintenance. Other FG-14 inspectors establish technical procedures and performance yardsticks and review maintenance programs, or who have problems of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations. Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity and the organizations monitored are major factors in the industry.

ASIs at the FG-14 level establish technical procedures and performance indexes and review complete maintenance programs for general aviation organizations who are leaders in the aviation industry, or who have problems of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations. Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity.

The following assignments are illustrative:

• As a Service wide expert on a particular type of aircraft:
• Advises other inspectors of major changes;
• Evaluates new training methods and equipment;
• Serves on boards that evaluate incidents, accidents, complaints, and other serious problems relating to the aircraft.
• As the principal representative in regulatory surveillance of general aviation activities, exercises certificate authority; or evaluates maintenance activities and complete aircraft overhaul facilities (By comparison, FG-13 employees exercise certificate authority over less complex air carriers or perform major portions of the certification, inspection, and surveillance for major carriers under the direction of FG-14 inspectors.)
• Exercises certificate authority and safety responsibility over a complex of broad and varied general aviation organizations such as air taxis, executive and/or industrial operators, repair stations, and flight and mechanic schools when the activities monitored equate collectively to a major air carrier in terms of size and complexity of aircraft fleet employed, scope and technical complexity of operations, management sophistication, industry leadership, and public impact. The magnitude, intensity, and scope of program responsibility are typically such as to require significant and regular assistance of lower graded inspectors.
  
  
  

FG-14 employees evaluate maintenance programs for organizations which utilize complex aircraft, systems, and equipment. They frequently rely on engineers and designers for specific technical guidance. Supervisors give FG-14 employees a wide leeway for independent action. Other inspectors seek their advice on problems relating to aircraft and their operation and maintenance. Because of the precedent-setting nature or substantial effect on the aviation industry or public safety, their decisions may be reviewed and approved at a higher policy-setting level.

The PMI plans and directs the use of time and resources to accomplish organizational objectives. He or she defines, organizes, and uses resources to accomplish work activities within established schedules, analyzes program requirements and accomplishments, and makes or directs adjustments as necessary to address organizational needs.

Provides guidance to field level staff to solve difficult technical issues.

Contacts are internal and external to the agency. Occasionally represents the agency as a point of contact for policy development, inspection activities or as a technical trainer/instructor delivering formal.

Performs Other Duties As Required.

Help

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
• Ingrade/Downgrade applications will be accepted.
• If the agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed.
• Position is designated as Moderate Risk; Background investigation may be required.
  
  
  

Qualifications

General Requirements for All 1825 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, withor 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 general aviation maintenance, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

• Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness.
• Maintenance experience with aircraft 12,500 pounds or less maximum certificated takeoff weight.
• Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state or Federal governmental agency.
• Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years.
• FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings.
  
  
  

In addition, applicants must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I/FG-13 level. 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 is: Assisting, conducting, or performing various technical functions related to certification, surveillance, investigation and compliance recommendation of maintenance activities for FAR Part 135 air carriers/air operators.

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.

The recency of hours is waived for current FAA employees in the 1825 series.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.

Education

Education is not qualifying and may not be substituted for experience.

Preview Job Questionnaire

Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

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/financial-disclosure-requirements

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

Read more

• Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  
  

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.