Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations), APOI, Rochester FSDO, EASD23A

The Assistant Principal Inspector (Operations) Commuter Part 135 serves as a full assistant to a Principal Inspector (Operations) performing the full range of certification, surveillance, and inspection duties for assigned air carriers, air operators, air agencies, airmen, and designees. Has program responsibility to assure that assigned organizations meet Federal Aviation Regulations with respect to operations programs. Assists in the establishment of work progress on and surveillance.

Qualifications:

Aviation Safety Series, 1825

General Requirements for All Positions:

1. Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years;

2. Valid State driver's license;

3. Fluency in the English language;

4. No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and

5. High school diploma or equivalent.

Medical Requirements for All Positions:

Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, and must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted) without strain;
2. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted);
3. Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft.

In addition, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of aircraft must:

1. Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) regulations; and
2. Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.

Applicants tentatively selected will be required to:

1. Provide documentation from a board-certified physician certifying that they meet the minimal medical requirements, with or without a reasonable accommodation; or
2. Individuals who do not meet the minimum medical requirements but who are otherwise qualified will receive an individualized assessment to determine whether they can perform the essential functions of the position with or without a reasonable accommodation.

To qualify for this position you must meet the Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards for the 1825 series, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS/FG-12 as an Aviation Safety Inspector (GAO). Specialized experience isexperience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience is assisting, conducting, or performing various technical functions related to certification, surveillance, investigation, and enforcement activities.

In addition, when the predominant work involves General Aviation Operations, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) positions must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate with single and multi-engine airplane and instrument airplane ratings. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in an aircraft.
2. Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a flight check to Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument rating;
3. Possession of Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating.
4. Minimum of 100 flight hours within the last 3 years.
5. Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours.
6. Possession of single and multi-engine land airplane ratings.
7. Not more than 2 flying accidents in the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved.
8. Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate.

For Lateral Movements Between 1825 Specialties: To assist in determining qualification requirements, applicants transferring between specialties at the same grade level are strongly encouraged to complete the appropriate Qualifications Assessment Tool (QAT) check sheet and upload it along with their resume. Check sheets are contained in Order 3410.26, Flight Standards Service Air Carrier and General Aviation Qualifications Assessment Tool for AFS Aviation Safety Inspectors. This order is located at: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/3410.26.pdf

The recency of specialized experience is waived for current FAA employees in the 1825 series.

Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their Work History.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Responsibilities:

Under the general direction of the Principal Inspector (Operations) or Supervisory Principal Inspector (Operations), Accomplishes the following duties:

Technical Administration

Assures on a continuing basis that assigned organizations are properly and adequately organized, staffed, and equipped; have and conduct an adequate training program, including an acceptable record keeping system; and have facilities and procedures that meet all regulatory requirements. Chairs joint FAA-industry meetings; maintains regular contact with organizations assigned; and coordinates with top management officials. Requires or directs correction of any deficiencies/discrepancies and refuses or withdraws approval if they cannot be resolved. Responsible for the conduct of enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition. Performs or supervises the emergency suspension of certificates or cancellations of operations specifications. Conducts or directs the reexamination of certificated airmen or recertification of an operator or agency. Conducts investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries and aircraft incidents and accidents. Provides verbal and/or written technical assistance to legal counsel, testifies at court trials and formal hearings, and gives depositions. Coordinates Minimum Equipment List (MEL) approvals with the principal airworthiness inspectors. Takes enforcement action in instances of noncompliance with the MEL. Coordinates with geographic inspectors for the accomplishment of nonroutine air carrier surveillance.

Certification

Approves/accepts or disapproves/rejects manuals, school curriculum, and revisions to such. May require amendments to previously approved documents to accomplish the following: correct any conflict with regulatory requirements; eliminate unsafe practices; and/or improve the specificity of instruction. Evaluates training programs to insure that they meet the requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Approves or disapproves these training programs including flight simulators, training devices, or other such equipment used in these programs. Approves/disapproves designation of check airmen and makes recommendations on the appointment of designees. Evaluates operations and facilities by on-site inspections and review of reports by geographic inspectors or others. Negotiates changes essential or desirable in their policies and procedures. Determines the appropriate methods and/or plans for securing corrective action and determines through on-site inspection or inspector reports the effectiveness of any action. Evaluates and approves/disapproves requests to operate under conditions not previously authorized and may prescribe additional conditions and limitations as appropriate. Approves the original issuance of operations specifications and issues original operating certificates. Approves amendments to operations specifications. Evaluates the safety of proposed changes in route or airport authorizations; prescribes any changes required before approval. Directs or participates in proving flight evaluations to determine compliance with FAR's. Recommends changes that will be required prior to approval.

Surveillance

Responsible for monitoring all phases of operations including: training programs and records; base and station facilities; and route systems. Coordinates with and reviews reports from geographic inspectors and others to identify trends which indicate deterioration in the safety of operations. Directs or suggests changes required to correct such trends. Is responsible for monitoring the activities of designated examiners, check airmen, and instructors.