Aviation Safety Inspector (ACM), Principal Maintenance Inspector

Federal Aviation Administration•Irving, TX

About The Position

The Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) for FAR Part 145 applies knowledge of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations to develop and implement standards, programs, and procedures for FAA field personnel and the public on maintenance safety issues. The PMI assists in establishing inspection and surveillance work programs and independently plans and carries out programs, projects, studies, and other work with broad administrative direction. The position provides policy assistance to regional and field Aviation Safety Inspectors on difficult or complex interpretations. Completed work is generally accepted without change and may be reviewed for adherence to FAA policy and project requirements. At the FG-13 level, the inspector issues certificates to and monitors complex aviation organizations or groups of smaller organizations of comparable complexity, serving as the primary contact. The inspector may decide whether to issue original certificates, evaluates and decides on proposals to change authorized programs, and continuously monitors compliance with authorized programs, federal regulations, and sound safety practices. Assignments may involve multi-engine turboprop or turbojet aircraft and complex avionics, diverse aircraft and operations, or novel and complex aviation operations. The inspector plans and conducts work with substantial technical independence, using administrative and policy guidance and seeking technical advice from higher-level experts as needed. Work programs may occasionally require assistance from other employees. The PMI applies mastery-level knowledge of the relevant specialization and broad knowledge of the line of business mission and goals. The role plans and directs the use of time and resources, analyzes program requirements and results, and adjusts activities to meet organizational needs. Guidelines may be inadequate for novel or complex operations, requiring the inspector to apply aviation safety principles and interpret regulatory intent. Contacts often involve owners and senior managers of aviation corporations, including negotiation and resolution of complex issues; some matters may be controversial and attract public interest. The inspector also participates extensively in certification inspections and surveillance of highly complex air carrier operations where primary program responsibility rests with a higher-grade inspector, and may negotiate with carrier management and make technical determinations within approved specifications and policy manuals. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959.
Submit an SF-50.
No more than two separate Federal Aviation Regulations violation incidents in the last five years.
Valid state driver's license.
Fluency in English.
No chemical dependency or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Physically able to perform the duties safely and efficiently, with or without reasonable accommodation, including the specified vision, hearing, and general physical fitness requirements.
For positions requiring participation in aircraft operation: valid FAA second-class medical certificate and recurrent FAA medical examinations.
For airworthiness positions where predominant work involves air carrier maintenance: experience maintaining and repairing airframes, power plants, and systems of multi-engine aircraft over 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight under an airworthiness maintenance and inspection program.
For airworthiness positions where predominant work involves air carrier maintenance: aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station, air carrier or airline repair facility, military repair facility, or local, state, or federal government agency.
For airworthiness positions where predominant work involves air carrier maintenance: experience maintaining and repairing aircraft with responsibility for certifying airworthiness.
For airworthiness positions where predominant work involves air carrier maintenance: aircraft maintenance work experience within the last three years.
For airworthiness positions where predominant work involves air carrier maintenance: FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings.
At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-H or FG/GS-12 as an Aviation Safety Inspector.
Specialized experience must include oversight of Part 145 repair station operations, including evaluating maintenance or avionics activities of complex aviation organizations and evaluating their program change proposals.
Current employees in the 1825 series are exempt from the recency-of-specialized-experience requirement and the requirement for a valid second-class FAA medical certificate.

Responsibilities

Apply 14 CFR knowledge to develop and implement maintenance safety standards, programs, and procedures for FAA personnel and the public.
Assist in establishing inspection and surveillance work programs.
Plan and carry out programs, projects, studies, and other work, generally with substantial technical independence.
Provide policy assistance to regional and field Aviation Safety Inspectors on difficult or complex interpretations.
Issue certificates to and monitor assigned aviation organizations; serve as their primary contact.
Evaluate and decide on proposals to change organizations’ authorized programs.
Continuously monitor organizations for compliance with authorized programs, federal regulations, and sound safety practices.
Plan and direct the use of time and resources to meet organizational objectives; analyze program requirements and accomplishments and make adjustments as needed.
Negotiate and resolve issues with aviation organization owners and senior managers.
Participate in certification inspections and surveillance of highly complex air carrier operations, and make technical determinations within approved specifications and policy manuals.
Perform other duties as assigned.