Summary Serves as developmental Aviation Safety Technician (AST) in a Flight Standards Office providing technical support to Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) and the public. Performs or assists with a wide range of certification, surveillance, and investigation duties requiring research and evaluation in accordance with current FAA safety directives/orders. Responsibilities Provides technical knowledge and support to aviation safety inspectors, the general public, stakeholders, and airmen regarding a wide variety of aviation-related topics. Extracts safety data and information from FAA records to identify trends for items that affect aviation safety and enters technical findings in agency approved databases. This individual will provide technical assistance and/or support with certification, surveillance, investigation, and/or enforcement, examples include, but are not limited to: Certification Support Provides technical support to ASIs during certification of operators and air agencies. Reviews airmen certification files, submitted by designees for accuracy. Reviews inspection authorization files for renewal eligibility. Conducts Operational Color Vision Tests. Reviews designee management system to determine renewal eligibility. Compiles data for technical reports. Surveillance Support Assists ASIs with surveillance of aviation events. Assists in drafting and issuing waivers and authorizations. Investigation Support Drafts Enforcement Investigative Reports (ETR) for review and final approval by an ASL Acts as the Point of Contact (POC) for safety assets (PPE) related to accident investigations. Enforcement Support Incumbent will be responsible for enforcement functions including conducting violations, voluntary disclosure, suspect illegal charters, incidents, navigation and altitude deviation investigations. Other May conduct meetings or portions of meetings in support of technical work functions. Prepares technical correspondence in support of assigned work functions. Provides administrative support and project tracking utilizing required computer software. Requirements Conditions of Employment We are not accepting applications from noncitizens. Qualifications FG -08: To qualify for this position at the FG-8 level, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FG/GS-7 level. Specialized experience is: demonstrated accomplishment in practical technical aviation operations, computer skills and knowledge of common software applications, analytical skill, interpersonal skills, and communication skills. Typically preferred candidates will show technical training and/or certification experience applicable to a regulatory aviation environment. FG -09: To qualify for this position at the FG-9 level, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FG/GS-8 level. Specialized experience is: demonstrated accomplishment in practical technical aviation operations; computer skills and knowledge of common software applications; analytical skill; interpersonal skills; and communication skills: experience gathering and compiling aviation safety data; experience analyzing aviation safety information for the purpose of identifying trends; experience preparing technical reports and documents; and experience assisting in aviation investigations such as complaints, occurrences, incidents, accidents and/or violations. Typically preferred candidates will show technical training and/or certification experience applicable to a regulatory aviation environment. Refer to OPM's Operating Manual Qualification Standard at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/group-stds/gs-cler.asp . Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the announcement. 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. Education Not applicable. Interviews: All or none of the candidates may be interviewed. If the Agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed. In-grade/downgrade applications will be accepted. Selectee must report to a FAA/AVS facility. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS: 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. Your application/resume must have your official title, grade, series and employment dates in your work history. 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)/Leadership and Management Dimension (LMD) NARRATIVES from the initial 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/LMD. In lieu of providing a KSA NARRATIVE response in the text box listed below each KSA/LMD, in your work history on your resume/application, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA/LMD. 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 based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate. Please also ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job); Duties (be specific in describing your duties); Employer's name and address; Supervisor name and phone number; Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008); Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week); & Salary. Determining length of Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible due to an incomplete application. 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. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. 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. 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 on-line application, e.g. SF-50, you may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS. Full promotion potential to the FG-9 Level: Identification of promotion in the vacancy announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon the selectee meeting training, qualification requirements, and recommendation by the supervisor. 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 U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA