Summary

The mission of the Office of Commercial Space Transportation is to ensure protection of the public, property, and the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States during commercial launch or reentry activities, and to encourage, facilitate, and promote U.S. commercial space transportation.

This job is open to

• The public
  
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which FAA has a severe shortage of candidates.

Duties

Plans and accomplishes highly complex and challenging projects/programs and other work activities under the minimal direction of a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced engineer. May act as a principal technical specialist or as a project/program manager or team leader for large work activities. Supports the analyses and conducts of safety evaluations for proposed space transportation activities that involve the launch or reentry of expendable and reusable launch vehicles and operation of launch and reentry sites. Conducts safety inspections of commercial launch, reentry, and site operations to ensure that systems and processes do not pose unacceptable risks to the public and can operate in compliance with established safety, environmental and regulatory requirements.

Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of engineering principles, theories, and concepts applicable to his/ her discipline, as well as an understanding of new technologies and methodologies, to solve complex problems and to develop improved technical processes for the organization. Typical assignments may include: evaluating data, system design and integration; extensive research; and direct responsibility for project/program management.

The analyses and evaluations include those aspects of the launch operations that may affect public safety such as reliability of critical systems and components, safety policies and procedures, and safety personnel and organization. Provides technical reviews and regarding the adequacy of technical documents, analyses, procedures, or policies submitted by an applicant seeking a license, permit or safety approval.

Contacts are internal and external. Often represents FAA as a senior technical point of contact on projects, programs and other work activities. Communicates results to all levels internally (within an LOB/SO or across LOB's/SO's) and externally. Plays a lead role in drafting, reviewing and editing reports or contractual documents for final approval prior to external distribution. Presents briefings to obtain consensus/approval on policies. Coordinates significant technical matters with representatives of external organizations.

Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for addressing issues, but allow considerable discretion to develop new and innovative approaches. Provides support in enabling licensed and permitted operations to be safely and efficiently integrated into the National Airspace System. Supports the development of regulatory requirements for new and existing technologies and concepts for commercial space transportation involving expendable and reusable launch vehicles. Serves as the initial interface for government and industry stakeholders as well as new commercial space transportation applicants requiring FAA licensing.

Work is reviewed rarely, typically through status reports and at project completion, to ensure technical compliance and alignment with the requirements of the project or other work activity.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
• This position has a positive education requirement. Transcript(s) required.
• Travel Required: 25% (Domestic)

Qualifications

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS BELOW:

To qualify for this position at the FV-J level: Candidates must have one year (52 weeks) of SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (FV-I or FG/GS-13) that is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE at the next lower level- FV-I/GS-13:

Experience related to the design, development, and evaluation of launch vehicles.

-OR-

Conducting various safety analyses related to commercial space flight systems and operations.

-OR-

Applying investigative techniques and procedures related to launch/reentry operations.

You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or

omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered.

Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the

application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can

result in disqualification.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; (3) alphabetical; or (4) priority grouping, and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.

*Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.*

**All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.**

Education

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page).

Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration.

Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/accreditation.

Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered.

Basic Requirements:

Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a

school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and

integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the

following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of

materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e)

electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and

aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering

science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience college-level education, training, and/or technical

experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences

underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the

engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.

The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration or licensure Current registration as an Engineer Intern (El),

Engineer in Training (EIT) or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District

of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those

applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather

or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the

specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a

State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only

for manufacturing engineering positions.

2. Written Test Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)

2examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering

licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

3. Specified academic courses Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in

the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the

basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the

requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.

4. Related curriculum Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an

appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture,

computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's

degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering

experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there

should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering

competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in

interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)

Note: An applicant who meets the basic requirements as specified in A or B above, except as noted

under B.1., may qualify for positions in any branch of engineering unless selective factors

indicate otherwise.

Preview Job Questionnaire

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

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.

This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. On-the-Spot will be used to fill this position. The 'Rule of Three', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about Core Compensation is available at: https://www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/benefits

As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA section, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. 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.

This is a Level 2 (Non-Critical; Secret) position requires favorable adjudication of a Access

National Agency Check and Inquiries (ANACI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a

waiver is obtained.

Some, all, or none of the applicants may be interviewed.

This is a bargaining unit position. This position is represented by AFSCME Local 1653.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay , COLA

• Benefits
  
  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.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

• Benefits
  
  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.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  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.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  Only supplemental documentation (e.g. transcript, certifications, and/or veterans' documentation) will be accepted in combination with your on-line application or faxed to 202-267-7032. These documents must be uploaded or faxed on or before the closing date of the announcement. All submitted documents must reference the announcement number.
  
  If you want consideration for one or more of the Special Hiring Authorities, documentation that must be submitted at the time of application can be found at Direct Hiring Authorities | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov).
  
  For guidance on how to create a Federal resume, visit http://www.archives.gov/careers/jobs/forms/resume-guide.pdf.
  
  Failure to submit all required documents by the closing date will result in a finding of ineligible. We are not responsible for incomplete, illegible or missing documents.
  
  Please DO NOT email your application documents. We cannot accept documents received via the email system. Documents sent via email will NOT receive consideration.
  
  This position has a positive education requirement; college transcripts are required for ALL candidates newly appointed to the FAA in the 0800 (Engineering) series.
  
  College transcripts must be submitted from current FAA employees applying for internal vacancies if they have never held a position in the 0800 (Engineering) series with the FAA.
  
  College transcripts are not required from current FAA employees who are currently occupying an 0800 (Engineering) series.
  
  If selected, official transcripts are required prior to employment.
  
  Forms:
  • SF-15 : Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference
  
  
  
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
  schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to Apply
  
  You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register.
  
  IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE OR EDUCATION.
  
  We strongly encourage applicants to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder in the creation of resumes.
  
  Please 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 General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible.
  
  You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies. Please see this guide, Document Upload Guide, for more information on uploading and re-using the documents in your applications.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  
  
  Sequoia LeBlanc
  
  Phone
  
  1 (202) 267-7552
  
  Fax
  
  1 (202) 267-8330
  
  Email
  
  sequoia.r.leblanc@faa.gov
  
  Address
  
  Federal Aviation Administration
  
  HQ Employment Services Branch
  
  800 Independence Ave, SW, Room 523
  
  AHF-110
  
  Washington, DC 20591
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  Once we receive your complete application, the Human Resources Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Eligible and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.
  
  For instructions on how to check the status of your application, please go to: USAJOBS Help Guide.
  
  Important - If you make any changes to your application, you must resubmit it. If you make changes to your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and only your previously submitted application will be evaluated.
  
  All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Only supplemental documentation (e.g. transcript, certifications, and/or veterans' documentation) will be accepted in combination with your on-line application or faxed to 202-267-7032. These documents must be uploaded or faxed on or before the closing date of the announcement. All submitted documents must reference the announcement number.

If you want consideration for one or more of the Special Hiring Authorities, documentation that must be submitted at the time of application can be found at Direct Hiring Authorities | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov).

For guidance on how to create a Federal resume, visit http://www.archives.gov/careers/jobs/forms/resume-guide.pdf.

Failure to submit all required documents by the closing date will result in a finding of ineligible. We are not responsible for incomplete, illegible or missing documents.

Please DO NOT email your application documents. We cannot accept documents received via the email system. Documents sent via email will NOT receive consideration.

This position has a positive education requirement; college transcripts are required for ALL candidates newly appointed to the FAA in the 0800 (Engineering) series.

College transcripts must be submitted from current FAA employees applying for internal vacancies if they have never held a position in the 0800 (Engineering) series with the FAA.

College transcripts are not required from current FAA employees who are currently occupying an 0800 (Engineering) series.

If selected, official transcripts are required prior to employment.

Forms:

• SF-15 : Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE OR EDUCATION.

We strongly encourage applicants to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder in the creation of resumes.

Please 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 General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible.

You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies. Please see this guide, Document Upload Guide, for more information on uploading and re-using the documents in your applications.

Agency contact information



Sequoia LeBlanc

Phone

1 (202) 267-7552

Fax

1 (202) 267-8330

Email

sequoia.r.leblanc@faa.gov

Address

Federal Aviation Administration

HQ Employment Services Branch

800 Independence Ave, SW, Room 523

AHF-110

Washington, DC 20591

US

Next steps

Once we receive your complete application, the Human Resources Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Eligible and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

For instructions on how to check the status of your application, please go to: USAJOBS Help Guide.

Important - If you make any changes to your application, you must resubmit it. If you make changes to your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and only your previously submitted application will be evaluated.

All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Financial suitability
• Selective Service
• New employee probationary period
• Signature and false statements
• Privacy Act
• Social security number request