Summary The Assistant Principal Maintenance Inspector (APMI), a full assistant to a Principal Inspector performing the full range of certification, establishment of work programs, surveillance, and inspection duties for assigned air carriers, air operators, air agencies, airmen, and designees. Has program responsibility to assure that assigned organizations meet Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) with respect to maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alteration programs. Responsibilities A. Technical Administration Ensures assigned organization is properly and adequately organized, staffed, and equipped. Establishes and conducts adequate training programs, maintains record keeping systems, and facilities and ensures procedures meet all regulatory requirements. Chairs joint FAA and industry meetings. Maintains regular contact with Southwest Airlines and coordinates with top management officials. Requires or directs correction of any deficiencies/discrepancies and refuses or withdraws approval if they cannot be resolved. Develops maintenance program requirements through participation on maintenance review boards. Coordinates minimum equipment list (MEL) approvals with the principal operations inspector. Responsible for conducting enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition. Performs or supervises emergency suspension of certificates or cancellation of operations specifications. Conducts investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries, and aircraft incidents and accidents. Coordinates with other inspectors for the accomplishment of non-routine air carrier surveillance. Assists Principal Inspector in the planning and implementation of certificate holders surveillance via usage of the appropriate safety system. B. Certification Responsible for initial and ongoing certification of air carriers, aircraft, airmen, and air agencies. Evaluates requests to operate under conditions not previously specified in the airworthiness portion of the operations specifications and approves/disapproves requests providing additional conditions and limitations as needed. Provides guidance to Southwest Airlines in the development of required maintenance manuals and record keeping systems. Reviews and determines adequacy of manual associated with Southwest Airlines airworthiness programs and revisions and ensures manuals and revisions comply with regulatory requirements, prescribe safe practices, and furnish clear and specific instructions governing airworthiness programs. Approves operations specifications and amendments. Determines if the maintenance facilities being established or contract arrangements entered into by Southwest Airlines for the purpose of overhaul work, major repairs, alterations, and other maintenance are satisfactory. Reviews changes and negotiates with air carrier management to resolve problems. Evaluates an operator’s proposed reliability programs for compliance with national policies. Advises operator of deficiencies and required changes. Approves/disapproves reliability programs. Determines if the air carrier’s training programs meet the requirements of 14 CFR, is compatible with the airworthiness program, is properly organized and effectively conducted, and results in trained and competent personnel. C. Surveillance Directs the inspection and surveillance of Southwest Airlines continuous airworthiness program. Monitors all phases of the carrier’s airworthiness operation, including the maintenance, engineering, quality control, production control, training, and reliability programs. Analyzes trends to detect deterioration in the airworthiness program. Analyzes reports submitted by Southwest Airlines to ensure compliance with airworthiness program and ensures the carrier has an effective continuing analysis and surveillance program to meet the requirements of 14 CFR. Requirements Conditions of Employment We are not accepting applications from noncitizens. Qualifications Applicants must meet the Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards: 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 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 systems of multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight maintained under an airworthiness maintenance and inspection program. Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness. Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years. FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings. 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 grade level as an Aviation Safety Inspector. 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, but is not limited to: 1) Monitoring activities of organizations to determine whether they are following authorized programs and evaluating proposals to change programs; 2) Planning and conducting inspections and surveillance of assigned areas of air carriers to assure compliance with Federal aviation regulations; 3) Conducting enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition; 4) Deciding whether facilities, equipment, materials, personnel, inspection methods and maintenance practices and techniques are satisfactory to assure airworthiness of aircraft; and approving manuals or requiring amendment thereto. For more information regarding the minimum eligibility requirements for Aviation Safety Inspector's please visit the following website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs1800/1825.htm 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. Note: Recency of specialized experience and the need for a valid second-class FAA medical certificate is waived for employees currently in the 1825 series. 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 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 choose 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. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resources 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. 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 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. 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. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Selection and placement are contingent upon waiver or completion of satisfactory security requirements. Work history must state job titles including specialty, series, and grade level held. No references will be made from your Official Personnel File, so information must be current and up to date. All or none of the applicants may be interviewed. Ingrade/downgrade applications will be accepted. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA