Summary This position serves as an Airport Certification Safety Inspector (ACSI) responsible for 14 CFR Part 139 compliance for the Office of Airports (ARP), Central Regional Airports Division. Responsibilities Performs multiple, varying and complex assignments as an Airport Certification Safety Inspector (ACSI) under the limited direction of the manager. Applies experience and comprehensive technical knowledge as he/she conducts periodic and surveillance inspections at Part 139 certified airports including medium to large hub airports to ensure compliance with standards for 14 CFR Part 139 in the areas of records, personnel, paved areas, unpaved areas, safety areas, marking signs, and lighting, snow and ice control, aircraft rescue and firefighting, handling and storing of hazardous substances and materials, traffic and wind direction indicators, airport emergency plan, self-inspection program, pedestrians and ground vehicles, obstructions, protection of NAVAIDS, public protection, wildlife hazard management, airport condition reporting, and identifying, marking and lighting construction and other unserviceable areas. Reviews and recommends approval of Airport Certification Manuals and emergency plans required by regulation to ensure current and adequate airport operating procedures. Recommends approval or denial of applications for Airport Operating Certificates. Investigates known or alleged violations of the regulations in accordance with current agency directives. Reviews and evaluates petitions from airport owners for exemptions of any or all of 14 CFR Part 139 directives. Conducts investigation of vehicle/pedestrian deviations at airports and evaluate results for closure or enforcement (administrative or legal). Conducts reviews of Construction Safety Phasing Plans and conducts inspections of airports to ensure operational safety during construction meets current standards. Reviews and recommends approval of wildlife hazard assessments and wildlife hazard management plans at Part 139 airports and works closely with the airports, wildlife biologists, other technical experts and stakeholders to reduce hazardous wildlife and attractants on and in the vicinity of airports. Investigates potential regulatory violations and initiates administrative or legal enforcement actions, as appropriate. Coordinates recommendations with the Lead Inspector and management as to sanctions, including civil penalties, certificate suspension or revocation. Supports investigations of an aircraft accident or incident on or near an airport, as a subject matter expert. May be called up to serve as a member of an Accident Investigation Board. Works in collaboration with division staff and other FAA organizations to improve surface safety at airports by reviewing or investigating the factors leading to surface incidents, runway incursions, and aircraft excursions. Collaborates with Regional and Local Runway Safety Action Teams by providing 14 CFR Part 139 expertise and assisting in the development of airport runway safety action plans. Reviews and provides comments on policies, procedures, standards, guidance, and other instructions issued by Headquarters. Conducts Runway Safety Area inventories, which may include physical inspection of a safety area to determine what is installed and if it meets agency standards. Reviews and verifies individual airport layout plans, obstruction charts, safety equipment descriptions, construction drawings and documents related to certification requirements. Supports various safety training outreach efforts with various stakeholders to include out of region and international training initiatives. Established policies/procedures provide guidance for most assignments, but allow considerable discretion to select the most appropriate approach or to recommend new approaches. Resolves all but unique technical problems without the intervention of management or a more experienced technical specialist. Identifies and informs management of problems that require their attention. Work is reviewed periodically, typically at major milestones and at completion, for technical compliance and alignment with the requirements of the project. Requirements Conditions of Employment We are not accepting applications from noncitizens. Qualifications To qualify for this position all applicants must demonstrate in their application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Specialized experience is experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must be at least equivalent to the next lower grade or band level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. FV-G (FG/GS 5-9): To qualify at this level, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least three years of progressively responsible general experience that demonstrates the ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, recognize solutions, plan and organize work, and communicate effectively, with at least one year equivalent to the FG/GS-4 level. OR Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree, in an accredited college or university. FV-H (FG/GS 10-12): To qualify at this level, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-G (FG/GS 5-9) 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 includes: Conducting inspections at airports to ensure operational safety and/or compliance with FAA standards and regulations; reviewing Airport Certification Manuals and emergency plans required by regulation to ensure current and adequate airport operating procedures; reviewing individual airport layout plans, obstruction charts, safety equipment descriptions, construction drawing and documents related to certification requirements; and conducting reviews of wildlife hazard assessments and wildlife hazard management plans. OR Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such degree OR LL.M, if related. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. 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 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. 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. Applicants must apply on-line for employment consideration. Education FV-G (FG/GS 5-9): Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree, in an accredited college or university FV-H (FG/GS 10-12): Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such degree OR LL.M, if related. 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/admins/finaid/accred/index.html To qualify based on education, you must upload your college transcripts at time of application. Your transcripts MUST be received by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to employment. Foreign Education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited US educational institution in terms of equivalency 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. Documents must be uploaded and received by the closing date of this announcement. 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 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. Work Environment: This position requires up to 75% travel. A valid driver’s license is required. This position may require the inspector to drive significant distances and requires the inspector to walk considerable distances to inspect airfield pavement, safety areas, lighting, markings, signage, and fueling systems. Frequently this requires working around the hazards of moving aircraft (taxiing, landing, and takeoff) and ground vehicles. The candidate may also be required to lift and/or carry objects of about 20 to 50 pounds, as well as climb ladders and/or work in unusual environmental/weather conditions. Physical Requirement: Candidates must successfully complete a Basic Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Training Course which places the candidate in a strenuous physical heat controlled environment with fire protection suits and self-contained breathing apparatus that could be heavy and awkward. If the Agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA