Aviation Safety Inspector (ACM), Principal Maintenance Inspector

Federal Aviation Administration (DOT); Irving (TX); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Federal Aviation Administration (DOT) is seeking a Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) FG-13 in Irving, TX. The PMI will plan and conduct inspections of aviation organizations, provide policy guidance to regional ASIs, and ensure compliance with safety regulations under 14 CFR.

Occasional travel may be required and situational telework is permitted. The role requires strong knowledge of aviation safety programs and the ability to work independently to oversee complex maintenance operations.

Qualifications

• General Requirements for All Positions: Fluency in the English language.
• Medical Requirements for All Positions: (see minimum medical requirements)
• Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes and power plants is expected for Aviation Safety Inspector roles.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct inspections and surveillance of aviation organizations to ensure compliance with 14 CFR.
• Provide policy guidance to ASIs and monitor organizations for adherence to FAA programs and safety practices.
• Coordinate with management to address novel or complex operational concerns and ensure program objectives are met.

Skills

Fluency in English

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

Summary

The Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) FAR Part 145 is responsible for applying knowledge of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) field personnel and the public governing all maintenance safety issues. Assists in the establishment of work programs for inspection and surveillance.

Location

Irving, TX

Telework

Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Salary

$115,711 – $150,426 per year The salary range cited above includes a locality rate of 27.26%.

Pay scale & grade

FG 13

Promotion potential

NA

Work schedule

Full-time

Travel Required

Occasional travel – The job may require travel from time‑to‑time, but not on a regular basis. The travel may be for training or other work‑related duties.

Appointment type

Permanent

Occupations and job series

1825 Aviation Safety

Supervisory status

No

Federal service type

This job is in the Excepted Service

Represented by a union

Yes – This position is represented by PASS: Flight Standards Services.

Drug test

No

Security clearance

Other

Announcement number

600-AFS-27-SAG-101188

Control number

890772000

Duties

The PMI receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The PMI mostly independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work. The PMI provides policy assistance to regional and 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 FAA policy and for assurance that project requirements have been fulfilled.

ASIs at the FG-13 level issue certificates to and monitor (1) a large and complex aviation organization or (2) a number of smaller organizations, air organizations, or Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) holders that, together, are comparable in complexity to one large one. They are the primary contact point with the aviation organization(s). They may decide on issuance of the original certificates. They evaluate and decide upon proposals to change the authorized programs of the organizations. They continuously monitor the activities of organizations to determine whether they are following their authorized program, Federal regulations, and good safety practices. (By comparison GS-12 employees issue certificates to small and uncomplicated organizations.)

FG-13 assignments are characterized by one or more of the following:

1. Multi‑engine turboprop or turbojet aircraft or the complex avionics equipment associated with such aircraft;
2. A variety of flight or maintenance operations with diverse types of aircraft which may include turbine powered aircraft; or
3. Novel and complex aviation operations.

(By comparison, similar assignments at the GS‑12 level involve smaller turboprop or large piston‑engine aircraft.)

FG‑13 employees plan and conduct their assignments with substantial technical independence. They receive administrative and policy guidance from their supervisors and policy makers. They also obtain technical advice from higher‑level inspectors who are experts on a particular type of aircraft or who have overall program responsibility. They independently plan and carry out a work program to meet the needs and monitor the activities of the organizations for which they have certification responsibility. The scope and complexity of the work program may be such as to require the occasional assistance of other employees to conduct inspections and evaluate operations.

The PMI applies a mastery knowledge level of the appropriate specialization and a broad knowledge of the line of business mission and goals to assigned programs and areas of responsibility.

The PMI 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.

Guidelines and precedents are frequently inadequate for dealing with novel or complex operations. FG-13 employees understand and apply the basic principles of aviation safety and interpret the intent of the regulations.

At FG-13, contacts are frequently with owners and top managers of aviation corporations and involve negotiating and resolving the full range of issues and problems that confront large aviation organizations. Occasionally issues are controversial, arousing considerable public interest.

ASIs at the FG-13 level participate extensively in the certification inspection and surveillance of highly complex air carrier operations where principal program responsibility is vested in an aviation safety inspector of higher grade. These FG-13 employees have broad authority to negotiate with carrier management and make technical determinations within the coverage of approved specifications and policy manuals.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards:

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, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following requirements:

1. 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);
2. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and
3. 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 the aircraft must:

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

Applicants not requiring valid second‑class medical certificates who are tentatively selected will be required to:

1. Provide documentation from a board‑certified physician certifying that they meet the minimal medical requirements; 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.

When the predominant work involves air carrier 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 systems of multi‑engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight maintained under an airworthiness maintenance and inspection program.
2. Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency.
3. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness.
4. Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years.
5. FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings.

To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV‑H, FG/GS‑12 grade level as an Aviation Safety Inspector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. This experience must demonstrate oversight of Part 145 repair station operations, to include: 1) Evaluating maintenance or avionics activities of complex aviation organizations. 2) Evaluating program change proposals of complex aviation organizations.

For more information regarding the minimum eligibility requirements for Aviation Safety Inspector’s please visit the following website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs1800/1825.htm

Note: Recency of specialized experience and the need for a valid second‑class FAA medical certificate is waived for employees currently in the 1825 series.

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 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 choose 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. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resources Specialist as appropriate.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration.

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. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements

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.

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

Selection and placement are contingent upon waiver or completion of satisfactory security requirements.

Work history must state job titles including specialty, series, and grade level held.

No references will be made from your Official Personnel File, so information must be current and up to date.

All or none of the applicants may be interviewed.

In grade/downgrade applications will be accepted.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

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.

Review our 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.

Required documents

All Applicants MUST provide a copy of their FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings.

Applicants must apply online to receive consideration for this vacancy announcement. Faxed, mailed or e‑mailed applications cannot be accepted. If you need to submit additional documents to supplement your online application, e.g., transcripts, SF‑50, or veterans’ documentation, you may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS. Supplemental documents may be uploaded and attached to your application.

If you are an FAA employee, you MUST provide a copy of your SF‑50 (Notification of Personnel Action) containing information in Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 so it can be used to verify your position title, series, grade, tenure, and organization of record by the closing date of the announcement. You may fax your SF‑50 or upload it into the online application. If faxing the SF‑50, please ensure you include the vacancy announcement number on the faxed copy.

If you are an FAA employee, you can access and print your SF‑50 from the eOPF system https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/

Agency contact information

Susan Garnes

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Address: Federal Aviation Administration
AEA Regional HR Services Branch
1 Aviation Plaza, Room 207
AHF‑N610
Jamaica, NY 11434
US

Next steps

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.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability New employee probationary period
Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy
Selective Service Signature and false statements
Social security number request