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The Principal Avionics Inspector (PAI) is responsible for recommending new and amended Title 14 Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for FAA field personnel and the public governing all matters to air carrier avionics safety issues.
01/03/2025 to 01/24/2025
$133,004 - $172,907 per year
Salary includes locality payment from 27.15%
FG 14
1 vacancy in the following location:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
25% or less - The job may require up to 25% travel.
No
Temporary - 2 YEARS
Full-time
Excepted
NA
No
No
Yes - The person selected for this position 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. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements
Yes - This position is represented by PASS: Flight Standards Services.
AEA-AFS-25-CCD-93920
826565600
FAA WIDE - Open to current permanent FAA employees
The PAI receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The PAI, mostly independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work. The PAI provides policy assistance to field level Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) on difficult or complex policy interpretations. The work is normally accepted without change. Completed work may be reviewed for adherence to Federal aviation Administration (FAA) policy and for assurance that project requirements have been fulfilled.
Some FG-14 assignments involve Service wide responsibility for application of expert knowledge of flight avionics for an advanced multiengine turbojet aircraft. Such employees are concerned with all aspects of the operational capabilities and limitations of the aircraft. Other FG-14 inspectors establish technical procedures and performance yardsticks. Additionally, the PAI may review complete flight operation or maintenance programs for major air carriers who are leaders in the aviation industry, or who have problems of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations. Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity; the organizations monitored are major factors in the industry.
ASIs at the FG-14 level establish technical procedures and performance indexes and review complete maintenance programs for major air carriers who are leaders in the aviation industry, or who have problems of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations. Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity.
The following assignments are illustrative:
1. As a Service wide expert on a particular type of sophisticated multiengine turbojet aircraft:
− Advises other inspectors of major changes in the operation of the aircraft;
− Standardizes procedures and judgments used by inspectors to evaluate the operation of the
aircraft;
− Evaluates new training methods and equipment (e.g., simulators) for initial certification;
− Serves on national boards that determine the minimum equipment necessary to operate a particular type of aircraft safely; and
− Serves on boards that evaluate incidents, accidents, complaints, and other serious problems relating to the aircraft. Develops plans to resolve problems.
2. As the principal representative in regulatory surveillance of air carrier activities, exercises certificate authority over a major air carrier with very extensive and complex avionics. Analyzes flight involving large fleets of turbojet aircraft engaged in large-scale passenger and freight service; or evaluates maintenance activities and complete aircraft overhaul facilities which are equipped and staffed to handle the latest and most sophisticated turbojet aircraft and associated systems. This level includes responsibility for nationally and internationally prominent carriers who operate the largest, most advanced fleets of turbojet aircraft in the industry. (By comparison,
FG-13 employees exercise certificate authority over less complex air carriers or perform major portions of the certification, inspection, and surveillance for major carriers under the direction of FG-14 inspectors.)
3. Exercises certificate authority and safety responsibility over a complex of broad and varied major air carriers in terms of size and complexity of aircraft fleet employed, scope and technical complexity of operations, management sophistication, industry leadership, and public impact. The magnitude, intensity, and scope of program responsibility are typically such as to require significant and regular assistance of lower graded inspectors.
General Requirements for All Positions:
Medical Requirements:
Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector (General Aviation Maintenance) position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The medical requirements include the following:
In addition, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of the aircraft must:
Applicants not requiring valid second-class medical certificates who are tentatively selected will be required to:
When the predominant work involves air carrier avionics, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements.
Specialized Experience Requirements:
To qualify for the FG-14 you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I, FG/GS-13 in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience may include experience providing technical guidance for certification, and oversight, interpreting a variety of data to identify methods, techniques and practices enhancing aviation safety, providing guidance regarding certification and surveillance for FAR Part 121 air carrier/operators.
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://my.faa.gov/org/linebusiness/avs/offices/afx/tools/qat.html.
Recency of specialized experience and the need for a valid second-class medical is waived for employees currently in the 1825 series.
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
Duties Continued:
FG-14 employees evaluate flight avionics programs for organizations which utilize complex aircraft, systems, and equipment. Because of organizational complexity or the advanced technology incorporated in the aircraft, systems, and equipment, employees must exercise originality to resolve unique problems. They frequently rely on engineers and designers for specific technical guidance although much of their work is carried out under very broad policy guidelines. Supervisors give FG-14 employees a wide leeway for independent action. Other inspectors seek their advice on problems relating to aircraft and their operation and maintenance. Because of the precedent-setting
nature or substantial effect on the aviation industry or public safety, their decisions may be reviewed and approved at a higher policy-setting level.
The PAI plans and directs the use of time and resources to accomplish organizational objectives. He or she defines, organizes, and uses resources to accomplish work activities within established schedules, analyzes program requirements and accomplishments, and makes or directs adjustments as necessary to address organizational needs.
Decisions typically have broad impact on the operation or maintenance of a particular type of advanced aircraft, major air carriers, or a geographic area containing a variety of novel and/or complex aviation operations. Decisions also have a significant effect on the safety of the flying public.
FG-14 employees have critically important and frequently controversial contacts with key officials of major manufacturers, major carriers, and general aviation organizations. Contacts are made to resolve issues which affect the initial certification and major modifications of aircraft, maintenance programs, and their effect on safety and compliance with regulations. The PAI provides guidance to field level staff to solve difficult technical issues. Resolves problems with the intervention of management or a more experienced technical specialist. Develop
plans, techniques, and policies to address current and anticipated problems and issues. Works with management to solve problems.
Contacts are internal and external to the agency. The PAI occasionally represents the agency as a point of contact for policy development, inspection activities or as a technical trainer/instructor delivering formal training. Contacts vary significantly depending upon the purpose of the contacts, the level of authority required to resolve issues, and the nature of the technical problem at hand. Typical contacts involve dealings with members of senior management staffs, representatives of professional organizations, staff members of industry groups, representatives of other government agencies, and representatives of other civil aviation authorities.
The PAI is expected to follow established laws, orders, policies, and regulations that provide general guidance for completing work objectives but is allowed considerable discretion to develop new or innovative approaches. The PAI uses resourcefulness, initiative, and judgment based on experience to develop and implement evaluation procedures to address problems where precedents are not applicable. Methods, practices, or decisions may be used as guidance in similar problem areas. The PAI keeps management informed of the status of all programs and projects and is held accountable for the technical accuracy, proper coordination, and timeliness of completed staff
work. Provides staff assistance and serves as advisor to the manager on all matters pertaining to assigned tasking. Assists Safety Assurance ASIs, aviation safety technicians, and others on queries that are technical, or guidance related.
Assists in the preparation of a variety of highly technical and high priority correspondence to the aviation industry, other governmental agencies, members of Congress, and the general public. Assures that correspondence is properly coordinated, technically and grammatically accurate, clear and concise, and that it reflects the philosophy, policies, and objectives of the Branch, Division, Service, and the FAA.
Education not applicable.
Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.
We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family.
As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.
In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate.
Incomplete Applications:
Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.
Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA
Temporary Positions: This is a temporary position not-to-exceed two year; it may be extended, terminated or may become permanent without further competition.
Upon completion of this assignment, the selected employee shall return to his/her original permanent position or an equivalent position in the same commuting area.
All or none of the applicants may be interviewed.
Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.
Only supplemental documentation will be accepted in combination with your on-line application. These documents must be uploaded to your USAJOBS profile on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number.
No references will be made from your Official Personnel File, so information must be current and up to date.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Faxed, mailed or e-mailed applications cannot be accepted.
Once we receive your complete application, the Human Resources Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Eligible and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.
For instructions on how to check the status of your application, please go to: USAJOBS Help Guide.
Important - If you make any changes to your application, you must resubmit it. If you make changes to your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and only your previously submitted application will be evaluated.
All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/826565600. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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