Summary Join the Federal Aviation Administration as an Aviation Safety Inspector - Manufacturing. The FAA work environment is rich in opportunity, diversity, teamwork and worklife balance. Enjoy benefits such as weekends off, paid holidays, steady work hours, sick/annual leave, health insurance and more! Begin a rewarding career with the FAA and be part of a select group of individual whose mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world. Responsibilities The Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI), when assigned as a Principal Inspector (PI), has certificate management responsibility for one or more aerospace organizations. The inspector is involved in the planning and implementation of a full range of manufacturing inspection, type, production, and airworthiness certification programs at one or more aerospace organizations within a Certificate Management Sections (CM), geographic area of responsibility. Duties at the FG-12 grade level include but are not limited to the following: Verifies assigned aerospace organizations comply with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14CFR) with respect to production, original airworthiness, and certification programs. Determines certificate management actions for audits of assigned aerospace organizations within personnel and budget limitations. Establishes certificate management actions in terms of kind and areas of audit, location, and frequency that will be most productive to assure adherence to the aerospace organization's quality system and conducts audits in accordance with FAA Orders 8120.22 Production Approval Procedures, 8120.23 Certificate Management of Production Approval Holders, and other established policies. Serves as manufacturing expert in the investigation of violations, accidents, incidents, and malfunctions/defects that may be attributable to items manufactured in assigned organizations. Duties as the FG-11 grade level include but are not limited to the following: Assists in the planning and implementation of a full range of manufacturing inspection, continued operational safety, certificate management activities, safety management system activities, and designee and/or delegation oversight, as well as provides input on regulatory development and type and production certification projects. Under the guidance of a more experienced ASI, may review proposals for new or revised manufacturing processes and specifications and discuss approval with the principle ASI to determine compliance to applicable FAA policy and guidance. With moderate guidance provided by the CM Sections Manager, SASI, or other journeyman ASIs, the ASI determines if quality management systems implemented at aerospace organizations are adequate. Requirements Conditions of Employment We are not accepting applications from noncitizens. Qualifications All applicants must meet the following requirements: Not more than 2 separate incidents involving Federal Aviation Regulations violations in the last 5 years; Have a valid state driver's license; Be fluent in the English language; Have no chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and Be a high school graduate or equivalent. MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: 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. Applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Manufacturing) positions must meet one of the following requirements: A. Experience in the area of quality systems, methods, and techniques in the manufacture of products and/or articles that demonstrates the ability to determine whether aircraft and related products meet the approved design criteria, or the design criteria on which approval is being sought and is in condition for safe operations; or B. Experience involving either the actual issuance of airworthiness certificates or having responsibility for managing programs leading to the issuance of original airworthiness certificates or original export airworthiness approvals for products and/or articles; or C. Experience involving a combination of paragraph A and paragraph B. Acceptable specialized experience for paragraph A includes actual experience in a majority of the following areas: First article, in process and final assembly inspection; Quality assurance provisions of special processes (e.g. heat treating, brazing, welding, carburizing, plating, CAD-CAM, robotics, software quality control, etc.,) Destructive and non-destructive inspection; Manufacturing processes; Airworthiness assurance; Developing and implementing quality systems and procedures; Testing procedures; and Use of improved design data. The experience in paragraph A or B is typically acquired in such positions as: Quality engineer; Quality systems supervisor/manager; Quality systems auditor; Service representative with technical quality experience; FAA designee such as a designated manufacturing inspection representative (DMIR); or Designated airworthiness representative (DAR) authorized to perform manufacturing inspection functions on behalf of the FAA. To qualify for this position at the FG/GS-11 level - All candidates must demonstrate one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level grade (FG/GS-9) that is typically in or related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in this position. Specialized experience is defined as knowledge and experience of aerospace quality assurance systems, and having the ability to make decisions independently, as it relates to an aerospace manufacturing environment in the areas of assembly, test and final inspection, and airworthiness determination as evidenced by practical experience working in this environment. To qualify for this position at the FG/GS-12 level -All candidates must demonstrate one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (FG/GS-11). Specialized experience is defined as knowledge and experience of aerospace quality assurance systems in a position of leadership, or having the ability to make decisions independently, as it relates to an aerospace manufacturing environment in the areas of assembly, test and final inspection, and airworthiness determination as evidenced by practical experience working in this environment. THE FULL PERFORMANCE POTENTIAL TO THE FG-13 GRADE LEVEL: Identification of promotion in the vacancy announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon the selectee meeting all training, qualification requirements, and recommendation by the supervisor. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Education No education substitution for qualifications for this position. 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. Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. On-the-Spot will be used to fill this position. The 'Rule of Three', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy. Incomplete Applications: Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Interviews: Aircraft Certification utilizes a National Centralized Hiring Process (NCHP) for standardized interviewing, screening, and verification of qualifications and experience of Aviation Safety Inspector applicants. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom to determine whether they possess the necessary qualifications, competencies and personal qualities to successfully perform Aviation Safety Inspector duties. Applicants will be questioned about information on their applications and will be required to show appropriate airman certificates or other appropriate documents. Requirement for Security Clearance: Selection and placement are contingent upon waiver or completion of satisfactory security requirements. For Moderate Risk (Level 5), this position requires completion and favorable adjudication of a National Agency Check with Inquiry (NACI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained. These positions are represented by Bargaining Unit: 0104 - PASS: Certificate Management Sections Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA