Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness), Principal Avionics Inspector

Federal Aviation Administration • Watkins, CO

10h

About The Position

The Principal Avionics Inspector (PAI) applies knowledge of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) to develop and implement standards, programs, and procedures for FAA field personnel and the public regarding air carrier avionics safety. The PAI receives broad administrative direction and independently plans and carries out programs, projects, studies, and other work. The position provides policy assistance to regional and field-level Aviation Safety Inspectors on difficult or complex policy interpretations and technical issues. Completed work is generally accepted without change and may be reviewed for compliance with FAA policy and project requirements.

At the FG-13 level, inspectors certify and monitor large, complex aviation organizations or multiple smaller organizations comparable in complexity to one large organization. They serve as the primary contact for those organizations, may decide whether to issue original certificates, evaluate and decide on proposed changes to authorized programs, and continuously monitor compliance with authorized programs, federal regulations, and sound safety practices. Assignments may involve multiengine turboprop or turbojet aircraft and complex avionics, diverse aircraft and flight or maintenance operations, or novel and complex aviation operations. Inspectors plan and conduct assignments with substantial technical independence, while receiving administrative and policy guidance and technical advice as needed.

The PAI applies mastery-level knowledge of the relevant specialization and broad knowledge of the line-of-business mission and goals. The PAI plans and directs the use of time and resources, organizes work within established schedules, analyzes program requirements and accomplishments, and adjusts activities to meet organizational needs. The role requires interpreting regulations and applying aviation-safety principles when guidelines and precedents are inadequate for novel or complex operations. Contacts may include owners and senior managers of aviation corporations and may involve negotiating and resolving a broad range of issues, including occasionally controversial matters. The PAI participates extensively in certification inspections and surveillance of complex air carrier operations, negotiates with carrier management, makes technical determinations within approved specifications and policy manuals, and guides field staff in resolving difficult technical issues. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Selective Service registration for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Submit an SF-50.
• No more than two separate incidents involving Federal Aviation Regulations violations in the last five years.
• Valid state driver's license.
• Fluency in English.
• No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Physically able to perform the position’s duties safely and efficiently; have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read printed materials without strain (glasses and contact lenses permitted); be able to hear conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and have no physical condition that would create a hazard or interfere with flying as a passenger in a variety of aircraft.
• For positions requiring participation in aircraft operation, possess a valid second-class medical certificate under FAA regulations and pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.
• For applicants not requiring a valid second-class medical certificate, provide documentation from a board-certified physician certifying that minimum medical requirements are met, or undergo an individualized assessment if minimum requirements are not met but the applicant is otherwise qualified.
• Aircraft avionics experience maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting installed avionics systems on aircraft.
• Avionics maintenance experience on aircraft exceeding 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight.
• Within the last three years, aircraft avionics work experience—which may include supervision or auditing—in a repair station, air carrier repair facility, military repair facility, or local, state, or federal governmental agency.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-H, FG/GS-12 level, demonstrating technical functions related to certification, surveillance, investigation, and enforcement activities of FAR Part 125 air carriers or air operators. Recency of specialized experience is waived for current FAA employees in the 1825 series.
• Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
• Apply online; faxed or emailed applications and resumes are not accepted. Resume work history must include job titles, specialty, series, and grade level, with detailed examples supporting qualifications and questionnaire responses.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement standards, programs, and procedures governing air carrier avionics safety.
• Provide policy assistance to regional and field-level Aviation Safety Inspectors on difficult or complex policy interpretations.
• Certify and monitor assigned aviation organizations; serve as their primary contact.
• Evaluate proposals to change organizations’ authorized programs and decide on those proposals.
• Continuously monitor organizational activities for compliance with authorized programs, federal regulations, and good safety practices.
• Plan and conduct inspection and surveillance assignments with substantial technical independence.
• Plan and direct the use of time and resources to accomplish organizational objectives and adjust work as necessary.
• Interpret regulations and apply aviation-safety principles to novel or complex operations.
• Negotiate with carrier management and make technical determinations within approved specifications and policy manuals.
• Provide guidance to field-level staff in resolving difficult technical issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED