Aviation Safety Inspector (Fire Support)

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Ogden (UT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Region 4, Fire & Aviation Management is seeking a highly experienced avionics specialist.

The role focuses on technical expertise in aircraft avionics, maintenance, and safety for wildland fire and disaster response programs, with responsibilities spanning audits, approvals, and cross-unit coordination. Candidates must meet federal requirements, hold an FAA Airframe Certificate, and maintain FCC GROL or NCATT certification, with potential travel and

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Background investigation and fingerprint check.
• Must pass E-Verify and be eligible for direct deposit.

Responsibilities

• Inspects and approves aviation avionics and UAVs across agency, contractor, and cooperator organizations.
• Monitors multiple aviation units with complexity comparable to a single large organization.
• Serves as primary contact regarding aircraft, avionics, and maintenance requirements.
• Evaluates maintenance and training programs for avionics personnel to ensure compliance.
• Participates in ASTAT, review teams, and QA field audits during operations.

Job description

Summary

This position is located at a Region 4 Forest Service Office, Fire & Aviation Management, Forest Service aviation program. This position serves as an expert in providing technical expertise and knowledge on all avionics issues regarding aircraft and aviation maintenance and works on projects for the National Airworthiness program. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Bradley Bugger at [e-mail].

Major Duties

Duties listed are at the full performance GS-13 grade level.Inspects and approves of agency, contractor, and cooperator aircraft avionics and unmanned aerial vehicles.Issues approvals to and monitors several smaller aviation organizations that, together, are comparable in complexity to one large one.Inspects organizations that perform a variety of novel and complex aviation operations including the protection of natural resources, the detection and suppression of wildland fires, and response to natural disasters and national emergencies.Serves as a primary contact point with the aviation organizations regarding aircraft, avionics, and maintenance requirements.Evaluates the adequacy of maintenance and training programs for avionics personnel.Reviews proposed and completed corrections to ensure continued compliance with agency policy, regulatory requirements, manufacturer’s limitations, contractual requirements, and interagency standards.Participates in Aviation Safety and Technical Assistance Teams (ASTAT), review teams, and Quality Assurance (QA) field audits during ongoing operations.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice. Must hold a current and valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe Certificate. A copy of the certificate is required. Must attend an annual Inspector Workshop. Must possess and maintain a current and valid FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) OR a ASTM NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician certificate with at least one endorsement. GS-12: Must obtain a FAC-COR Level 1 certification within one year of employment. GS-12: Must work towards obtaining a FAC-PPM Entry Level certification. GS-13: Must possess and maintain an AV3 designation on the Forest Service Authorized National Aircraft and Avionics Inspectors List. A copy of the certificate is required. GS-13: Must possess and maintain a FAC-COR Level 2 certification. A copy of the certificate is required. GS-13: Must possess and maintain a FAC-P/PM Entry Level certification. A copy of the certificate is required.

Evaluations

You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. You will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Individuals with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13056019

Other Information

The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply. The salary shown is for the Rest of the U.S. See OPM.gov for additional information on pay rates. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered. 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 not guaranteed. Physical Effort: Physical requirements of the position include the ability to lift, hold, and position light parts. Ability to climb, stoop, crawl in and around aircraft, and recognize color codes through normal color perception. Work Environment: Work is done in an office setting or in aircraft maintenance facilities with considerable time spent in field conditions and in areas of wildfire where the employee is exposed to discomforts and hazards, such as smoke, adverse weather and risks resulting from supporting fire related activities. Travel: Work requires frequent and extensive overnight travel away from home base to accomplish the surveillance, inspections, reviews and audits of Agency owned, operated, and contracted aircraft. Travel may be on short notice and over weekends and holidays. Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE. This position is not eligible for telework. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. This position is not eligible for telework. This position may be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Availability of government housing and federal day care facilities may be available. Availability as it relates to this be position may not be determined until time of selection. We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.