Supervisory Aircraft Pilot (Flight Test Section Manager) (Temp Opportunity)

Federal Aviation Administration•Des Plaines, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent serves as the Supervisory Aircraft Pilot (Flight Test) Section Manager, directly supervising multiple employees and/or organizational units and ensuring the organization’s work supports the mission of AIR and AVS. The role applies specialized pilot knowledge to FAA programs and functions, flight testing developmental and modified aircraft and components, and staff work involving planning, analyzing, or administering aviation programs. The Section Manager supports the Branch Manager in daily operations by aligning Section resources, activities, and stakeholders with AIR objectives; developing personnel and resources for future needs; and fostering employee engagement, risk-based decision-making, innovation, collaboration, communication, and accountability. The position requires comprehensive knowledge of the Section’s technical work and a detailed understanding of organizational objectives. The incumbent directs subordinate employees, monitors performance and organizational health, carries out personnel actions, establishes accountability and performance objectives, and advocates for team resources. The role also oversees office support programs, administrative processes, data systems, procurement, building operations and security, expenditures, time and attendance, labor distribution, and daily operations. The Section Manager coordinates with FAA organizations, the aviation industry, other civil aviation authorities, and union representatives. This is a temporary assignment not to exceed two years. It may be extended, terminated at any time, or become permanent without further competition. The position is not remote and is filled at an approved FAA AVS facility.

Requirements

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-J, FG/GS-14, in the specified aviation and flight-test work.
Possess a valid first- or second-class medical certificate; external candidates must obtain a first-class medical certificate before appointment.
Possess a current Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) rating with airplane single-engine and multi-engine land and instrument ratings, or appropriate military ratings.
Meet applicable FAA pilot certificate or military rating, flight-hour, knowledge, skill, and recency-of-flight requirements.
At least 1,750 total flight hours; pilot-in-command or second-in-command flight time in aircraft of any weight or category is creditable.
At least 1,150 pilot-in-command hours.
At least 75 hours of night flying, subject to the stated in-service waiver provision.
At least 100 hours of flying time in the last 12 months, with at least one-fourth in fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft, subject to the stated in-service waiver provision.
At least 500 hours in multi-engine airplanes; at least 50 percent of these hours must be in heavy airplanes with gross takeoff weight over 12,500 pounds. Up to 250 hours in heavy helicopters may be substituted as stated.
At least 75 instrument hours, including at least 10 hours logged in actual instrument weather.
Complete a flight test school, such as a military flight test school, or have at least one year of qualifying experience flight testing aircraft for engineering approval or analyzing aircraft performance data. Qualifying engineering flight-test experience must involve establishing basic airworthiness of prototype aircraft or components and include stability, controllability, and performance testing.
Successfully complete required training, including the FAA initial flight test training course, and obtain all required certificates.
May be required to demonstrate aircraft proficiency and flight-test techniques in a flight check.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
Must submit an SF-50.
Position is subject to designated or random drug testing and may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period may be required.
The selected candidate may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty.
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Responsibilities

Supervise multiple employees and/or organizational units and ensure their work supports AIR and AVS missions.
Support the Branch Manager in aligning Section resources, activities, and stakeholders with AIR objectives.
Develop Section personnel and resources to meet AIR’s future needs and foster employee engagement, risk-based decision-making, innovation, collaboration, communication, and accountability.
Apply technical knowledge of Section work and understanding of organizational objectives.
Monitor and evaluate employee performance; execute personnel actions and, when needed, corrective or disciplinary actions.
Monitor organizational health, seek employee input, and promote communication, collaboration, and innovation.
Connect subordinate employees’ work to the broader AIR mission and assign accountability for internal performance objectives.
Engage personnel in monitoring key performance indicators and adjusting work to achieve objectives; identify and advocate for team resource needs.
Oversee technical and administrative support programs and manage the planning and direction of programs.
Develop techniques and plans to improve programs and policies.
Manage data systems, administrative processes, and data entry supporting office and branch performance metrics and dashboards.
Oversee procurement and management of building operations and security.
Engage employees in documenting and refining processes and ensuring compliance; assess organizational productivity, quality, effectiveness, and efficiency.
Monitor and approve expenditures; review and approve time and attendance and ensure accurate labor distribution reporting.
Assign, communicate, and clarify tasks and responsibilities; oversee daily operations for timeliness, effectiveness, efficiency, productivity, and policy compliance.
Facilitate coordination and communication across FAA organizations, the aviation industry, other civil aviation authorities, and union representatives.
Pilot or co-pilot aircraft for FAA programs and functions and conduct flight testing of developmental and modified aircraft and components.
Perform aviation program staff work involving planning, analysis, or administration that primarily applies pilot knowledge and skills.