Summary Serves as an Aviation Safety Inspector (General Aviation Operations) for the General Aviation and Commercial Division, AFS-800. Provides necessary guidance for aviation safety inspectors to ensure compliance with all general, special, and safety provisions of general aviation aircraft, unmanned aircraft, optionally piloted aircraft, and aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. Responsibilities Serves an Aviation Safety Inspector responsible for reviewing, drafting and evaluating, on a continuing basis, established rules and regulations related to assigned technical programs to assure that they have kept pace with the needs to which they were directed and that they are still reasonable, necessary, and adequate. Evaluates regulatory petitions or proposals from within or outside the agency, and recommends the development of new or amended rules, regulations, or other regulatory material, and the discontinuance of rules and regulations no longer considered necessary. Responsible for the preparation of Federal Register notices regarding assigned technical programs for original petitions for exemptions and analysis of technical input from other employees within Flight Standards. Coordinates with other Aviation Safety and Flight Standards Organizations to develop a complete analysis and appropriate response. Since exemptions are rulemaking documents, this review may include coordination with the Office of General Counsel so that the denial, grant or other disposition of petition for rulemaking will withstand a legal challenge. Technical input must be reviewed for completeness and ensure it responds to all aspects of an exemption petition. Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of division policy in assigned programs areas to include evaluation and analysis. Develops policies, including advisory circulars, inspector guidelines, and training standards related to certification, inspection, surveillance and operation of assigned program areas. Assures effective coordination of assigned programs and activities with Safety Assurance offices, other organizational segments of the Division, the Agency and organizations outside of the agency. Conducts or participates in group or team meetings which include representatives of other government agencies, the aviation industry, aviation organizations, state, municipal and foreign governments where assigned programs and responsibilities are involved. Develops operational policies, including advisory circulars, inspector guidelines, and training standards, and other applicable standards in support of assigned programs. Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of division policy in assigned program areas. Engages with internal and external stakeholders to promote safety, understanding, and compliance related to assigned programs. Represents the agency as a technical trainer/instructor delivering formal training for assigned technical programs. Review and analyze Enforcement Investigative Reports (EIR) packages received from Safety Assurance offices to ensure packages are complete, accurate and are in compliance with FAA and Flight Standards orders and policies. Coordinates with Safety Assurance offices and the Office of General Counsel so that EIR submissions contain sufficient proof to substantiate the action contemplated, the factors affecting sanction have been sufficiently discussed, and whether the qualifications of the apparent violator are at issue. Responsible for justifying and recommending new or amended Federal Aviation Regulations, and developing policies, standards, programs and procedures for general aviation and commercial operations. 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, and must meet all of the following requirements: Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted) without strain; Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or 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 aircraft must: Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) regulations; and Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA. When the predominant work involves general aviation operations, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) positions must meet all of the following requirements. Valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate with single and multi-engine airplane and instrument airplane ratings. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in an aircraft. Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a flight check to Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument rating; Possession of Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating. Minimum of 100 flight hours within the last 3 years. Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours. Possession of single and multi-engine land airplane ratings. Not more than 2 flying accidents in the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved. Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate. To qualify for this position at the FG-13 level you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-H, FG/GS-12 grade levels. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Experience includes Knowledge of, and skilled in applying and interpreting Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), and FAA policies, handbooks, advisory circulars, certification bulletins and technical procedures as they relate to the FAA's use of designees. Ability to compose a variety of written material including directives, policies, procedures, and sensitive/controversial documents. Ability to analyze various data using a System Safety Approach to problem solving, including risk analysis and root cause analysis. To qualify for this position at the FG-14 level you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I, FG/GS-13 grade levels. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Experience includes Mastery of, and skill in applying, laws and regulations to inspection, investigation, enforcement, and/or compliance work. 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. Solve problems demanding technologically advanced methods and innovative approaches. Qualification requirements 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 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. You may also be considered for this vacancy based on eligibility under the 30% or More Disabled Veteran Program, Veterans' Recruitment Appointment, and Persons with Disabilities/Persons with Targeted Disabilities. To be considered for one of these special hiring authorities, you must identify your eligibility in your questionnaire in the Applicant-Preferred Conditions of Employment section. In addition, you must submit documentation that provides evidence of eligibility as indicated in the Required Documents section of the 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, 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 External 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); Demonstrated Abilities; Leadership and Management Dimensions; or Other Factors listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or priority grouping and referred to the selecting official for consideration. Duty Location: Selectee will be required to report to an FAA Aviation Safety (AVS) Duty Location. Position is telework eligible in accordance with Agency Policy. 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. Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA