Aviation Safety Inspector Airworthiness

Summary This position is that of Aviation Airworthiness Officer (AAO) for the USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Wildlife Services (WS) Aviation Safety Center (ASC). As the AAO you will function as the AAO for aviation functions within the WS program and oversees airworthiness activities that fall within the WS aviation management program. Three position types are included: Fixed Wing (Western US), Fixed/Rotor Wing (Central US), and Rotor Wing (Eastern US). Learn more about this agency Duties The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Develop airworthiness safety program requirements for WS aviation activities. Assists the WS Aviation Management Officer (AMO) in conducting 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 as directed by WS leadership. Assure that agency contractors are properly and adequately organized, staffed, and equipped. Conduct inspections to verify certification requirements (both fixed-wing and helicopter) for all agency and contract aircraft. Evaluate requests from agency and contract pilots/mechanics to make alterations to aircraft and approve or disapprove these requests. Provide guidance to agency and contract pilots and designated maintenance professionals regarding maintenance procedures and record keeping. Review and determine adequacy of manuals associated with the WS airworthiness safety and maintenance programs and revisions. Analyze trends to detect a deterioration in the airworthiness safety and maintenance program. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a US Citizen or US National. Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information. Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/ Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use. Selectee will be subject to a pre-employment medical statement and/or exam. Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application. Current Airframe and Powerplant (AP) mechanic with Inspection Authorization (IA) Certificate All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions. May be required to successfully complete a probationary and a trial period. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information. Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Minimum Eligibility Requirements 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. When the predominant work involves general aviation maintenance, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements. 1. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness; 2. Maintenance experience with aircraft 12,500 pounds or less maximum certificated takeoff weight; 3. Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state or Federal governmental agency; 4. Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years; 5. FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings with current Inspection Authorization endorsement; and In addition to meeting the above criteria you must also meet the following qualifications: FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Fixed Wing (Western US): Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station, air carrier or airline repair facility, military repair facility or local, state or federal government agency with responsibility for certifying airworthiness. Must have experience in the maintenance, repair and modification of steel tube and fabric Piper PA18 type aircraft. Experience obtaining FAA approval for manuals, inspection programs, major repairs, major alterations or other documentation related to aircraft continued airworthiness. Fixed/Rotor Wing (Central US) Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station, air carrier or airline repair facility, military repair facility or local, state or federal government agency with responsibility for certifying airworthiness. Must have experience in the maintenance, repair and modification of steel tube and fabric Piper PA18 type aircraft. Must have experience in the maintenance, repair and modification of single engine turbine powered helicopters such as Bell 206B and Hughes/MD 500 series. Experience obtaining FAA approval for manuals, inspection programs, major repairs, major alterations or other documentation related to aircraft continued airworthiness. Rotor Wing (Eastern US): Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station, air carrier or airline repair facility, military repair facility or local, state or federal government agency with responsibility for certifying airworthiness Must have experience in the maintenance, repair and modification of single engine turbine powered helicopters such as Bell 206B and Hughes/MD 500 series. Experience obtaining FAA approval for manuals, inspection programs, major repairs, major alterations or other documentation related to aircraft continued airworthiness. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: Transcripts are not required. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education This position does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. Looking to fill Rotor Wing in SC, Rotor/Fixed wing in OK, and Fixed wing in one of the western locations as listed. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.