Summary The incumbent of this position is assigned to the Flight Standards Service. The incumbent is 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) field personnel and the public governing all matters to air carrier operations safety issues. Responsibilities The Principal Operations Inspector (POI) receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The POI, mostly independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work. The POI provides policy assistance to divisional field level ASIs on difficult or complex policy inquiries. 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. Advises other inspectors of major changes in the operation of the aircraft; Standardizes procedures and judgments used by inspectors to evaluate the operation of the aircraft; Evaluates new training methods and equipment (e.g., simulators) for initial certification; Serves on national boards that determine the minimum equipment necessary to operate a particular type of aircraft safely; and Serves on boards that evaluate incidents, accidents, complaints, and other serious problems relating to the aircraft. Develops plans to resolve problems. As the principal representative in regulatory surveillance of air carrier activities, exercises certificate authority over a major air carrier with very extensive and complex operations. Analyzes flight operations involving large fleets of turbojet aircraft engaged in large-scale passenger and freight service Plans and directs the use of time and resources to accomplish organizational objectives. 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 division and field level staff to solve difficult technical issues. Resolves all but unique problems without the intervention of management or a more experienced technical specialist. Develop plans, techniques, and policies to address current and anticipated problems and issues. Works with management to solve problems. Assists in the preparation of a variety of highly technical and high priority correspondence to the aviation industry, other governmental agencies, members of Congress, and the general public. Assures that correspondence is properly coordinated, technically and grammatically accurate, clear and concise, and that it reflects the philosophy, policies, and objectives of the Branch, Division, Service, and the FAA. Participates in the FAA flight program to maintain qualification and currency requirements applicable to operations inspectors, for the purpose of supporting the FAA in a variety of flight-related functions to include training and evaluation of designated pilot examiners. Evaluates tasks contained in the FAA practical test standards and airman certification standards by participating as pilot in command or as a crew member. The inspector is required to maintain an FAA second class medical. Requirements Conditions of Employment We are not accepting applications from noncitizens. Qualifications Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements for an Aviation Safety Inspector in the 1825 series as outlined in the OPM qualification standards. The minimum eligibility requirements for this position are below or may be found on the following link: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1800/aviation-safety-series-1825/ 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 air carrier operations, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) positions must meet all of the following requirements: At least 1 year of pilot experience in multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight; Not more than 2 flying accidents during the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved; Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a simulator check to Airline Transport Pilot Standard. Minimum 100 flight hours during the last 3 years; Airline Transport Pilot Certificate Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate; and Minimum 1,500 total flight hours. 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. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Specialized experience includes. Operations experience with Part 121 conducting enforcement actions, investigations, inspections, certification and surveillance Determining the need for, then establishing, work programs for surveillance and inspection of air carriers operating large, turbojet-powered aircraft to assure adherence to the applicable regulations; Coordination with key management personnel of air carriers operating large, turbojet-powered aircraft; Approval/acceptance or disapproval/rejection of manuals and manual revisions for air carriers operating large, turbojet-powered aircraft based on regulatory and/or guidance requirements; Requiring/directing correction of deficiencies/discrepancies, or recommending withdrawal of approval of manuals, programs, or authorized personnel for air carriers operating large, turbojet-powered aircraft if a resolution is not reached; Analysis of reports and information submitted by air carriers operating large, turbojet-powered aircraft to ensure compliance and identify trends. AND Selective Placement Factors: Other Factors number 1 and 2 have been determined to be Selective Placement Factors for this position. This means possession of this criterion is part of the minimum qualifications and is essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position. Applicants who do not possess this criterion are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Oversight and certification experience with air carriers operating under Extended Twin Operations (ETOPS) domestically and internationally; and Being a qualified Air Carrier Safety Inspector Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. 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 found using this link https://my.faa.gov/org/linebusiness/avs/offices/afx/tools/qat.html Education High school diploma or equivalent. 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. All or none of the candidates may be interviewed. In-grade/downgrade applications will be accepted. Selectee must report to the advertised facility. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS: 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. Your application/resume must have your official title, grade, series and employment dates in your work history. 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)/Leadership and Management Dimension (LMD) 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/LMD. In lieu of providing a KSA NARRATIVE response in the text box listed below each KSA/LMD, in your work history on your resume/application, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA/LMD. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Please also ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job); Duties (be specific in describing your duties); Employer's name and address; Supervisor name and phone number; Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008); Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week); & Salary. Determining length of Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible due to an incomplete application. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA