The Department of the Interior is devoted to protecting and preserving the natural resources of this great nation, including National Parks, Landmarks, and the well-being of communities, including those of Native American, Alaska Natives and affiliated Islanders.

Duties

This position is located within the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of the Secretary (OS), Office of Aviation Services (OAS), Western Region Office (WRO), located in Boise, ID. The employee will serve as Pilot in Command (PIC) on DOI fixed-wing aircraft, perform flight evaluations and surveillance of contracted fixed-wing pilots, and flight evaluations and training of DOI pilots. Through inspection and surveillance of ongoing aircraft operations, as well as contacts with user bureaus and the aircraft industry in general, the employee will provide safety oversight of pilots, aircraft, and equipment used in a wide range of resource missions, with authority to issue/withdraw authorization cards for mission specific applications, and provide technical support and advisory services for direct mission support activities. At the full performance level (GS-13) the major duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: Leads or conducts surveillance and inspections of diverse types of fixed wing pilots to ensure safety compliance with contract requirements and OAS policy, Federal Aviation Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and other Federal regulations. Conducts initial general inspections of a contractor's facility. Evaluates the contractor's operations and/or maintenance quality control procedures. Verifies that all applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approvals have been obtained and are documented for the pilots, aircraft, and for any modifications to such aircraft. Independently approves/disapproves contractor and DOI employed (fleet) pilots used in Government missions. When approved, issues a card authorizing use of the pilot in all requirements. When disapproved, provides a list of deficiencies and performs re-inspections as needed. Provides OAS management and bureau partners with expert technical guidance and advice in the development, implementation, and resolution of a wide range of flight operations, management, and/or aviation maintenance issues related to safety, operational practices, potential contractor capability, contract modifications, policy and procedure development, and special use operations for both DOI fleet and contracted fixed wing pilots and/or aircraft. For DOI fleet pilots, provides expert guidance and advisory services in flight operations, as well as supporting the development and technical evaluation of proposed aircraft modifications to assure compliance with safety standards and FAA certification requirements. Works with Bureau/Office personnel to study, evaluate and determine mission aviation requirements, types and numbers of equipment needed to support the program as well as their operational requirements for new and expanding aviation programs. Acts as a liaison and/or representative of DOI OAS to coordinate standards with governmental agencies outside of DOI and with appropriate aviation industry groups with whom DOI has interagency or cooperative agreements. Independently conducts periodic scheduled and unscheduled inspections to determine the contractor's continued compliance with the requirements of the contract. The inspector may unilaterally terminate authorization cards for any pilot, aircraft, or ancillary equipment, as applicable, if in their professional judgment the contract requirements were not met, or safety deficiencies were found. Prepares a written report of findings and recommendations. Salary Range Information: GS-12: $107,939-$140,317 per annum. GS-13: $128,354-$166,865 per annum. First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level. NOTE : A recruitment incentive may be authorized at the discretion of the bureau. Requirements: Travel - 25% or less, on average annually -- The travel requirement is generally higher from January through June and may require 10 or more nights per month. Travel is significantly less July through December. Primary area of responsibility for the OAS Western Region includes Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, and New Mexico. Occasional travel to other OAS regions may be required. Position is subject to medical requirements and incumbent must maintain medical requirements. This position is subject to pre-employment drug testing and is subject to future drug testing. This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available. This vacancy is also announced as OS-6054-24-ETA-142(DEU) for those applicants who wish to apply and be considered under Competitive Examining procedures.

Requirements

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the General Requirements, Medical Requirements, General Aviation Requirements, Specialized Experience, and Selective Placement Factor for the grade to which you are applying. General Requirements for All Positions: Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years; Valid State driver's license; Fluency in the English language; No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and 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: 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; Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); 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. In addition, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of aircraft must: Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) regulations; Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA. General Aviation Operations Requirements: In addition to the above, applicants must also possess the general aviation operations minimum qualification requirements: **You are required to submit proof of the certificates and ratings with your initial application. Failure to provide documentation may result in disqualification from consideration for this position. Valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate with single and multi-engine airplane and instrument airplane ratings. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in an aircraft. Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a flight check to Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument rating; Possession of Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating. Minimum of 100 flight hours within the last 3 years. Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours. Possession of single and multi-engine land airplane ratings. Not more than 2 flying accidents in the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved. Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate. Driver's License: You will be required to operate a government motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid U.S. driver's license. **You are required to submit proof of the driver's license with your initial application. Failure to provide documentation may result in disqualification from consideration for this position. Physical Demands: Must possess and renew at least a Second-Class FAA Medical Certificate on an annual basis. Employee is required to enter and exit confined areas of small resource aircraft, such as cockpits and cabins, to conduct flight evaluations. Employee is required to climb tall ladders to inspect aircraft, load and unload aircraft by lifting heavy objects, often greater than 50 pounds, and may be exposed to long hours in loud, confined spaces. Work also requires extensive overnight domestic travel with occasional international travel. Typical DOI natural resource missions require exposure to substantial hazards, including occasional operations that require waivers and exemptions from the FAA. Working Conditions: Position requireswork indoors and outdoors, in and around aircraft on active flightlines, with environmental conditions occasionally creating situations of significant cold, heat, and/or noise. Position requires long periods of work at a desk with numerous contacts to be made by telephone, interpretative review of significant amounts of manually written technical data, and scheduling and rescheduling of work activities. Position also requires exposure to high risks: Operating low level in aircraft over inhospitable terrain, in adverse weather, day and night, and flying in and around the wildland fire environment. Personal protective equipment is required. GS-12 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-12, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Instructing and evaluating pilots. Serving as a consultant and/or subject matter expert use of aviation in the natural resource environment. Providing advice and recommendations to management on new aviation policies, procedures, or challenges. MUST MEET ALL GS-13 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-13, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Instructing and evaluating pilots. Serving as a consultant and/or subject matter expert use of aviation in the natural resource environment. Providing advice and recommendations to management on new aviation policies, procedures, or challenges; Documented experience as an OAS or USFS approved PIC on Leadplane, Air Tactical, SEAT, Smokejumper, Large Airtanker, or other natural resource missions such as wildlife management, forestry management, reconnaissance, census, fire imaging, etc.; OR, Documented experience as a qualified pilot inspector for a state or federal government agency responsible for approving or disapproving pilots operating FAA certificated small (12,500 lbs. or below) aircraft performing any natural resource, air tactical, fire reconnaissance, or fire suppression missions. MUST MEET ALL Selective Placement Factors: To be eligible for this position, you must possess one of the combinations below. Possess a Commercial Single-Engine Land rating (CSEL), a Commercial Multi-Engine Land rating (CMEL), an instrument rating, and a Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFII) rating. Possess a Commercial Single-Engine Land rating (CSEL), an Airline Transport Pilot - Multi-Engine Land rating (ATP-MEL), and a Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFII) rating. Note: You are required to provide documentation in your resume that you meet all of the requirements outlined above and experience claimed in your application. Failure to provide support in your resume that you meet the requirements outlined above and claimed experience may result in disqualification from consideration for this position. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Merit Promotion candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Office of the Secretary 45600 Woodland Road Sterling, VA 20166 US
• Name: HR Assistant
• Phone: 703-787-1446
• Email: [email protected]