Summary

The Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) is responsible for applying substantial knowledge of and experience with 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 matters to general aviation maintenance safety issues.

Duties

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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 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 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.General aviation aircraft or the complex systems associated with such aircraft;

2.A variety of 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 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. (By comparison, GS-12 employees deal with highly complex

aviation organizations on narrower, more specific assignments.)

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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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).
• Ingrade/Downgrade applications will be accepted.
• If the agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed.
• Position is designated as Moderate Risk; Background investigation may be required.

Qualifications

General Requirements for All 1825 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 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.

In addition, applicants must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the level FV-H or GS/FG-12 level. 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 is: Assisting, conducting, or performing various technical functions related to certification, surveillance, investigation and compliance recommendation of maintenance activities for FAR Part 135 air carriers/air operators.

The recency of hours is waived for current FAA employees in the 1825 series.

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

Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history.

Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.

Education

Education is not qualifying and may not be substituted for experience.

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Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

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

Current or Former Federal employee (including a current FAA employee): You MUST submit a copy of your most recent (non-award) SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or equivalent document that verifies tenure (block 24, code 1 or 2). Failure to provide the required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in non-consideration for this position.

As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative, 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 response, please include WORK HISTORY IN YOUR RESUME THAT DESCRIBES HOW YOU MEET THE ANSWER YOU CHOSE FOR EACH SECTION. Please include specific examples and details which illustrate your knowledge, skills, and abilities. Please include applicable date ranges.

Security Requirement: This position requires completion and favorable adjudication of a Moderate Risk (5) Background Investigation (Tier 2) unless waiver is obtained.

This is a bargaining unit position, represented by the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (www.passnational.org).

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

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Benefits

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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.

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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.