This position is located within the Emerging Technologies Division, AFS-700. Serves as an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Safety Specialist. Responsible for applying 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 FAA Field personnel and the public governing all matters to unmanned aircraft.
Duties
The incumbent will perform multiple, varying and complex assignments under the minimal direction of a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist. Acts as principal technical specialist or as a project manager or team leader for large work activities. The incumbent will apply experience and comprehensive technical knowledge of aviation safety standards associated with matters related to unmanned aircraft and will independently provide a full range of program support and analytical/investigative expertise.
Will research, develop, and evaluate all aspects of aviation safety systems data to effectively meet operational
requirements and program goals. Receives instruction in terms of the objectives of assignments and are expected to deal with problem and unusual situations on their own.
Defines, organizes and assigns resources to accomplish organization objectives. Allocates resources and works with team members or individually to accomplish large work activities within the established schedules. Leads activities associated with the analytical studies using investigative/research methodologies and techniques to identify emerging and changing performance, risks, and development of performance strategies and metrics.
Monitors operators’ complex maintenance facility and determine if it is adequately staffed and equipped to perform work in compliance with applicable UAS safety standards. (In comparison, FV-I employees interact with aviation organizations on a narrower, more specific assignment.)
Evaluates and issue certificates for UAS maintenance. Continually monitors the activities of UAS operators and their maintenance practices to ensure that they comply with their UAS programs as necessary.
Monitors UAS which have undergone major alterations and/or repairs, ensuring compliance with appropriate UAS safety standard, technical orders and bulletins, manufacturers specifications.
Investigates UAS operators accused of not following regulations and standards for safe operation or maintenance of their aircraft. Investigates complaints relating to Part 135 UAS, Part 137 UAS operations and any other UAS FARs that may be announced in the future. Inspects Part 135 (UAS Only) remote pilot operators and Part 137 (UAS Only) for compliance with regulatory requirements, limitations, and conditions imposed in grants or waivers.
Assists General Aviation Safety Assurance (GASA) Flight Standard District Offices (FSDOs) and Air Carrier Safety Assurance (ACSA) Certificate Management Offices (CMOs) with the investigation of UAS Complaints and to solve specialized issues resulting in decisions (In comparison, FV-I employees are involved in a broader, less specialized scope of activities.
Generates Enforcement action(s). Works closely with GASA and FAA Legal on UAS incidents and complaints.
Assists GASA FSDOs, Air Traffic Organization (ATO), and Security and Hazardous Materials Safety (ASH) with UAS surveillance matters involving special events.
Interprets the UAS regulations and apply their knowledge of precedent cases and good safety practices to carry out their assignments. Follow established laws, orders, policies, and regulations that provide general guidance for completing work objectives but is allowed considerable discretion to develop new or innovative approaches. The UAS uses resourcefulness, initiative, and judgment based on experience to develop and implement evaluation procedures to address problems where precedents are not applicable. Methods, practices, or decisions may be used as guidance in similar problem areas.
Issues UAS related certificates and approve proposals that modify the authority of UAS organizations. Recommendations result from inspections and investigations taken by the assigned office. Their decisions have substantial impact on the activities of UAS organizations for which they have responsibility. 