Aviation Safety Inspector (General Aviation - Operations)

Federal Aviation Administration • Louisville, KY

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Aviation Safety Inspector (General Aviation – Operations) serves as a Principal Operations Inspector, with a duty location in Louisville, Kentucky. The inspector receives broad administrative direction and independently plans, develops, and carries out programs, projects, studies, and other work. Completed work is generally accepted without change, though it may be reviewed for compliance with FAA policy and project requirements.

At the FG-14 level, the inspector may establish technical procedures and performance indexes and review flight operations programs for aviation organizations, including uniquely complex general aviation organizations. The work may involve organizations using complex aircraft, systems, and equipment, and requires resolving unusual problems with considerable independent judgment. The inspector develops plans, techniques, and policies to address current and anticipated issues, keeps management informed of program and project status, and is accountable for the technical accuracy, coordination, and timeliness of completed work.

The inspector advises managers on assigned matters; provides technical and guidance assistance to Safety Assurance inspectors, aviation safety technicians, and others; and helps prepare and coordinate technical and high-priority correspondence. The inspector also participates in the FAA flight program to maintain qualifications and currency, support flight-related functions, and train and evaluate designated pilot examiners. This includes evaluating practical test and airman certification standard tasks as pilot in command or a crewmember. The position requires maintaining an FAA second-class medical certificate.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• For males born after December 31, 1959, Selective Service registration is required.
• Submit an SF-50.
• Not 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 dependency or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance.
• High school diploma or equivalent; education is not qualifying and cannot substitute for experience.
• Physically able to perform the duties safely and efficiently, with or without reasonable accommodation; must meet stated vision, hearing, and flight-safety medical requirements.
• For duties requiring aircraft operation, possess a valid second-class FAA medical certificate and pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.
• For predominant general aviation operations work: valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate with single- and multi-engine airplane and instrument airplane ratings.
• For predominant general aviation operations work: at least 200 hours of flight instruction given in an aircraft.
• Demonstrate professional flying skill in a flight check to Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument rating.
• Possess an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or a Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating.
• At least 100 flight hours within the last three years.
• At least 1,500 total flight hours.
• Possess single- and multi-engine land airplane ratings.
• No more than two flying accidents in the last five years in which applicant pilot error was involved.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I/FG-13 level, assisting, conducting, or performing technical functions related to certification, surveillance, investigation, and compliance recommendation of operational activities for FAR Part 135 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 vacancy announcement closing date.
• Designated or random drug testing is required; selected applicants are subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening.
• A background investigation may be required; the position is designated Moderate Risk.
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• The selected employee may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty.
• FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies.

Responsibilities

• Independently plan, design, and carry out programs, projects, studies, and other assigned work.
• Establish technical procedures and performance indexes and review flight operations programs for aviation organizations.
• Develop and evaluate flight operations programs involving complex aircraft, systems, and equipment.
• Develop plans, techniques, and policies to address current and anticipated problems and issues.
• Use judgment and initiative to develop and implement evaluation procedures when applicable precedents do not exist.
• Keep management informed about program and project status and ensure completed work is technically accurate, properly coordinated, and timely.
• Provide staff assistance and advise the manager on matters related to assigned tasking.
• Assist Safety Assurance ASIs, aviation safety technicians, and others with technical or guidance queries.
• Prepare and coordinate technical and high-priority correspondence for other FAA offices, the aviation industry, government agencies, Congress, and the public.
• Participate in the FAA flight program to maintain required qualifications and currency and support flight-related functions, including training and evaluation of designated pilot examiners.
• Evaluate FAA practical test standards and airman certification standards tasks as pilot in command or as a crewmember.
• Maintain a valid FAA second-class medical certificate.
• Perform other duties as required.

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