Aviation Safety Manager

Duties
Serves as principal aviation safety advisor to the Region in the development and implementation of policies, programs, and standard practices for aviation programs, and specialized projects, including policy, objectives, budget, and work priorities.

Develops and implements a Regional Aviation Safety Management Systems Program.

Plans, formulates, and implements major aviation safety policies and procedures on a Regional basis. Develops procedures and criteria and recommends policy for National, Regional, and Forest guidance in the execution of the aviation safety programs.

Plans and coordinates special studies with the Washington Office (WO) to determine the degree of hazards involved in various highly hazardous activities such as aerial firefighting, smokejumping, and helicopter operations. Formulates and develops training courses and programs to reduce accidents.

Provides safety assurance through inspections and program reviews of aviation activities to determine compliance with standards and guidelines. Plans, develops, and advises the field on enforcement of safety regulations and practices specifically applicable to agency aviation programs.

Provides oversight of the regional aviation training program. Serves as an aviation subject matter expert by providing interagency national level training to managers, line officers, and aviation specialists.

Plans Regional Aviation Safety Program to ensure oversight of regulations and standards concerning aviation safety and management, including (1) airworthiness of aircraft and aircraft systems; (2) the competence of pilots, mechanics and other airmen; (3) safety aspects of aviation facilities, equipment procedures; and (4) aviation operations management are met.

Provides oversight and expertise in contract specifications regarding SMS and in evaluating vendor proposals.

Monitors and reviews flight proficiency checks for all Regional pilots, and ensures that pilots maintain currency.

Serves as primary point of contact for notification to the WO regarding accidents and incidents.

Prepares comprehensive technical reports with details documenting analysis of aircraft accidents. Reviews, investigates, and analyzes data from accident reports to determine trends as a basis for developing plans for their prevention and as a basis for modifying the National and Regional safety program.

Monitors and reviews flight proficiency checks for all Regional pilots, and ensures that pilots maintain currency.

Performs wildfire suppression support as directed within training and physical capabilities and other duties as assigned.

Duties listed are at the full performance level.

Qualifications
You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements.

GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11. Examples include: Independently planning and carrying out a full range of regulatory enforcement duties of a recurring nature, such as compliance inspections of aviation related activities; conducting field inspections and in-depth investigations for specific aviation related enforcement cases, such as transportation of hazardous materials; assisting in developing new or proposed aviation policies, procedures, and guidelines; assisting in aviation safety operations, including researching of data, policy, procedures and requirements as they pertain to aviation; performing basic systems inspection on light single – or twin-engine airplanes and/or helicopters to confirm aircraft readiness for flight operations according to prescribed preflight checks.

GS-13: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12. Examples include: Serving as a technical consultant in aviation safety operations and providing interpretation of data, policy, procedures and requirements as they pertain to aviation; providing technical advice and assistance to individuals and organizations both inside and outside the immediate organization and the agency concerning legislation and regulations in aviation safety operations; developing and implementing all policies, standards, and procedures to guide and control the whole range of complex, often unique and hazardous aviation activities supporting resource management and protection programs; serving as a qualified technical investigator on aviation accident investigations, reviews, and follow-up actions; assisting in planning and coordinating special safety studies to determine the degree of hazard involved in various highly hazardous activities such as aerial firefighting, smokejumping, and/or helicopter night operations.

Selective Placement Factors:

• A minimum 90 days experience performing on-the-line (Primary/Rigorous) wildland fire suppression duties as a member of an organized fire suppression crew or comparable unit that utilized knowledge of wildland fire suppression, containment or control techniques and practices under various conditions. This experience must be documented with specific dates in the online application or resume.
• At a minimum, must possess a current and valid Private Pilot Certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

To receive consideration for this position, you must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.