Aviation Safety Technician

Federal Aviation Administration•Miramar, FL

About The Position

The Aviation Safety Technician (AST) works in a Flight Standards Office, providing technical support to Aviation Safety Inspectors and the public. The role supports certification, surveillance, investigation, and enforcement activities by researching and evaluating information in accordance with current FAA safety directives and orders. Work follows established procedures and uses basic evaluative judgment to assist inspectors, investigators, and program officials with fact-finding and program administration. The position may involve inspections based on defined procedures and clear-cut criteria, including checking required documents or the physical condition of items or premises, conducting initial and follow-up inspections, obtaining samples, and performing established field tests where appropriate. It may also involve technical support for inspections and investigations, such as researching records, gathering and screening facts, conducting structured interviews or inquiries, explaining licensing and regulatory requirements, compiling reports and exhibits, and maintaining administrative case and workload information. The incumbent provides technical assistance on aviation topics to inspectors, the public, stakeholders, and airmen; extracts aviation safety information from FAA records to identify trends; and enters technical findings into agency-approved databases. Duties may include supporting operator and air agency certifications, reviewing airman and inspection authorization files, conducting Operational Color Vision Tests, assisting with aviation-event surveillance, drafting waivers and authorizations, preparing Enforcement Investigative Reports for an inspector's review and approval, and serving as the point of contact for personal protective equipment related to accident investigations. Enforcement support may include investigations involving violations, voluntary disclosures, suspected illegal charters, incidents, and navigation or altitude deviations. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-E, GS-/FG-8 level.
Demonstrated accomplishment in practical technical aviation operations.
Experience using computerized database systems.
Experience preparing technical reports.
Experience researching and analyzing information and providing recommendations.
Experience gathering and compiling aviation safety data.
Experience assisting with aviation investigations, such as complaints, occurrences, incidents, accidents, or violations.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
Must submit an SF-50 as specified in the announcement.
Must complete and receive favorable adjudication of a Tier 3 background investigation before appointment, unless an approved waiver is obtained.
Must undergo required pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening and designated or random drug and/or alcohol testing.
Qualifications must be met by the vacancy announcement closing date.
Education may not be substituted for experience at these grade levels.

Responsibilities

Provide technical knowledge and support to aviation safety inspectors, the general public, stakeholders, and airmen on aviation-related topics.
Extract aviation safety data from FAA records, identify trends affecting aviation safety, and enter technical findings in agency-approved databases.
Support Aviation Safety Inspectors during certification of operators and air agencies.
Review airmen certification files submitted by designees for accuracy.
Review inspection authorization files and designee management systems to determine renewal eligibility.
Conduct Operational Color Vision Tests.
Compile data for technical reports.
Assist inspectors with surveillance of aviation events.
Assist in drafting and issuing waivers and authorizations.
Draft Enforcement Investigative Reports for review and final approval by an Aviation Safety Inspector.
Act as the point of contact for safety assets, including personal protective equipment, related to accident investigations.
Support enforcement functions and investigations involving violations, voluntary disclosures, suspected illegal charters, incidents, and navigation or altitude deviations.
Research records, gather and screen factual information, and support inspection and investigation fact-finding.
Compile investigative reports and exhibits and maintain required administrative reports.