Job Details

Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft-Helicopter)

The Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft-Helicopter), Principal Operations Inspector (POI), functions as the primary interface between assigned air operators/agencies/airmen/designees and the Federal Aviation Administration. The inspector will have program responsibility to assure that assigned organizations meet Federal Aviation Regulations with respect to primarily helicopter operations programs.

Responsibilities:

• The Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft-Helicopter) functions as the primary interface between assigned air operators/agencies/airmen/designees and the Federal Aviation Administration.
• Has program responsibility to assure that assigned organizations meet Federal Aviation Regulations with respect to helicopter operations programs.
• Incumbent determines the need for, and then establishes work programs for surveillance and inspection of assigned organizations within manpower and budget limitations to assure adherence to the applicable regulations.
• 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.
• Resides as a member of FAA-Industry meetings; maintains regular contact with organizations assigned; and correction of any deficiencies/discrepancies and refuses or withdraws approval if they cannot be resolved.
• Is responsible for the conduct of enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition.
• Performs the emergency suspension of certificates or cancellations of rotorcraft-helicopter specifications.
• Conducts or directs the reexamination of certificated airmen or recertification of an operator or agency.
• Conducts investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries, and rotorcraft-helicopter 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.
• Approves/accepts or disapproves/rejects manuals and revisions to such manuals.
• May require amendments to previously approved manuals to accomplish the following: correct any conflict with the 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 and changes required before approval.
• Participates in proving flight evaluations to determine compliance with FARs. Recommends changes that will be required prior to approval.
• Is responsible for monitoring all phases of operations including: training programs and records; base and station facilities; and route systems.
• The incumbent will be required to participate in the flight program as an aircrew member and, FAA as such, must meet medical and flight currency requirements as set forth in agency orders governing the operation of rotorcraft-helicopter.
• May be assigned other duties and responsibilities which are non-grade controlling.

Requirements:

Conditions of Employment:

• We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

Qualifications:

FAA Specific Qualifications Guidance for 1825 Aviation Safety Inspectors - Rotorcraft-Helicopter:

• General Requirements for All Positions:
• Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years;
• Valid State driver's license;
• Fluency in the English language;
• No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance;
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Medical Requirements for Rotorcraft-Helicopter:
• Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• The minimum medical requirements include the following requirements:
• Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted);
• Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted);
• Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others 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:
• Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) regulations;
• Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.
• In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must meet the specialized experience requirements as outlined below:
• Must hold an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating or a Commercial Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating and Instrument-Helicopter rating.
• Must hold a valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating and Instrument Helicopter rating.
• Minimum 1,500 total flight hours in an aircraft as pilot-in-command or second-in-command, 1,000 hours of which must be in helicopters.
• Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in a helicopter.
• Minimum 100 flight hours in helicopters as pilot-in-command or second-in-command or 100 hours as pilot in a Level D Simulator that replicates a helicopter, or any combination thereof, during the last five (5) years.
• Not more than two (2) flying accidents in the last five (5) years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved.
• Specialized experience is: Work involves monitoring and issuing certificates to a large complex aviation organization or a number of smaller organizations that, in total, are comparable in complexity to one large aviation organization. Work at this grade level/pay band is generally reviewed from an overall standpoint for accuracy, consistency, and effectiveness in meeting requirements
• Additional Specialized Experience Requirement: You must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-H, FG/ GS-12 level.
• Specialized experience includes: Assisting, conducting, or performing various technical functions related to certification, surveillance, investigation, and enforcement activities of FAR Part 135 air carriers/air operators.

Education:

Education may not be substituted for experience.

Additional Information:

• 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 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.
• This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will