Office of the Secretary of the Interior Logo
Position Title
Aircraft Mechanic Inspector
Agency
Office of the Secretary of the Interior
Announcement Number
OS-6054-25-ETA-099(MP) Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 to Monday, June 9, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2.

Do you wish to be considered as a 30% or more disabled veteran?
Under this authority, an agency may appoint, without competition, an eligible disabled veteran to a term or temporary appointment in the Federal service.  In appropriate circumstances, a person receiving a temporary or term appointment under this authority may be converted to a permanent competitive service appointment.When using this authority to appoint on a permanent basis, you are first placed on a time limited appointment of at least 60 days and then converted to a permanent appointment at management's discretion.

To be eligible for a 30% or more disabled appointment, you must be the following:

  • Retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more; or
  • Rated by the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) as having a compensable, service-connected disability of 30 percent or more.

To claim eligibility under 30% or more disabled, you must submit the following documentation with your application:

  • If you are claiming eligibility based on 30% or more service connected disability, you are required to submit documentation that is indicated on the SF-15 as acceptable proof of verification of your preference (i.e., official document, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying that the veterans total combined serviced-connected disability rating is 30% or more.

For more information on veteran hiring authorities, please click here

(limit characters)
3.

Do you wish to be considered under CTAP?
To be eligible for Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), a person must:

Be a current or former permanent competitive status DOI federal employee displaced from a position in the same local commuting area of the vacancy with a current (or last) performance rating of record of at least fully successful or the equivalent.

To claim eligibility under CTAP, you must submit the following documentation with your application:

Copies of the appropriate documentation which includes:

  • Reduction in force (RIF) separation notice;
  • SF-50 reflecting your RIF separation, or a notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function to another commuting area;
  • You MUST also submit documentation to reflect your current (or last) performance rating of record.
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4. Were you employed overseas as an Appropriated Fund employee AND did you:

• complete 52 weeks of creditable overseas service in an appropriated fund position(s) as a family member during the time you accompanied a sponsor officially assigned to an overseas area; AND,
• receive a fully successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating;
AND,
• return to the United States to resume residence less than 3 years ago?

For more information, review USAJOBS Former Overseas Employees resources. USAJOBS Former Overseas Employees resources

 To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50, and performance appraisal.
(limit characters)
5.

Do you wish to be considered under Merit Promotion?
To be eligible under competitive merit promotion, you must be:

A current or former (reinstatement eligible) permanent Federal civilian employee under a competitive career or career-conditional appointment.

To claim eligibility under competitive merit promotion, you must submit the following documentation with your application:

  • A copy of your most recent SF-50 reflecting current position information and competitive status (SF-50 box #24 - 1 or 2, box #34 - 1), AND if the most recent SF-50 does not show your highest grade held, then you MUST also submit a copy of an SF-50 that reflects your highest grade held on a permanent basis (No award 50's will be accepted).
(limit characters)
6.

Do you wish to be considered under ICTAP?
To be eligible for Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), a person must:

Be a current or former permanent competitive status federal employee displaced from a position in a non-DOI federal agency (e.g., IRS, VA, Department of Labor, etc.) in the same local commuting area of the vacancy with a current (or last) performance rating of record of at least fully successful or the equivalent.

To claim eligibility under ICTAP, you must submit the following documentation with your application:

Copies of the appropriate documentation which includes:

  • Reduction in force (RIF) separation notice;
  • SF-50 reflecting your RIF separation, or a notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function to another commuting area;
  • You MUST also submit documentation to reflect your current (or last) performance rating of record.
(limit characters)
7.

Do you wish to be considered under an OPM Interchange Agreement or a Miscellaneous Authority not regulated by OPM?
Are you a current Excepted Service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management?

To be eligible for career or career-conditional appointment under an OPM Interchange Agreement, a person must:

  • Be currently serving under an appointment without time limit in another merit system or have been involuntarily separated from such appointment without personal cause within the preceding year; AND
  • Be currently serving in or have been involuntarily separated from a position covered by an interchange agreement (some agreements do not cover all positions of the other merit systems); AND
  • Have served continuously for at least 1 year in the other merit system prior to appointment under the interchange agreement.

To claim eligibility under an Interchange Agreement, you must submit the following documentation with your application:

  • A copy of your most recent SF-50 reflecting current position information and type of appointment; AND
  • Documentation that you have served in the other merit system for at least one year.

For more information on Interchange Agreements, please click here

-OR- 
Are you a current or former Foreign Service employee?
-OR-
Are you a current:
• Postal Career Service Employee;
• Postal Rate Commission Employee;
• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or
• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee

For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.

(limit characters)
8.

Do you wish to be considered under Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA)?
If you're a current or former Land Management employee (Land management agencies include The Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, The Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Reclamation), who worked in a term or temporary job, you may be eligible to apply to merit promotion jobs at any federal agency.

Two groups of individuals are potentially eligible for appointment, including current and/or former employees serving or served under time-limited competitive appointments at land management agencies (as defined above). Land Management Eligibles (LME's) must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Current land management agency appointees:

  1. must have initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to the time-limited appointment,
  2. must have served under one (1) or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two (2) or more years, and
  3. must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.
  4. must meet time in grade requirements.

• Former land management agency appointees:

  1. must have initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to the time-limited appointment,
  2. must have served under one (1) or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two (2) or more years,
  3. must have performed at an acceptable level throughout the service period(s),
  4. must apply for a position covered by these provisions within two (2) years after their most recent date of separation, and
  5. must have been separated, with respect to their most recent separation, for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
  6. must meet time in grade requirements.

Note: A former employee, who otherwise meets the requirements for eligibility, shall be deemed an employee of the agency from which the former employee was most recently separated.

To claim eligibility under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA), you must submit the following documentation with your application:

  • SF-50(s) showing the above criteria
  • Employee Performance Appraisal (Employee Performance Ratings or equivalent)

For more information the LMWFA, please click here

(limit characters)
9.

Do you wish to be considered as a Military Spouse?
To be eligible for appointment under this authority, you must be the spouse of one of the following:

Active Duty Spouse:

  • Includes all spouses of members of the armed forces on active duty
  • Spouses do not have to relocate with active duty spouse

Based on 100% Disability: As a military spouse, you may be eligible to be considered under this authority if:

  • The military member was retired under Chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code with a 100% disability rating from the military; or
  • Was released from active duty and has a disability rating of 100% from the Department of Veterans' Affairs or the military department.

Note: There is no geographic limitation under this category. You will be required to provide documentation of your spouse's disability.

Based on Service Member's Death: As the military spouse, you may be eligible if the military member was killed while on active duty (it does not have to be combat related), and you have not remarried.

Note: There is no geographic limitation in this category. You will be required to provide documentation on the death of the spouse and your marital status at the time of death.

Documentation Required: To confirm eligibility the hiring agency must verify the individual has a valid marriage certificate or other documentation verifying marriage (such as any official documentation verifying a recognized common law marriage). In addition, the service member's spouse must be authorized on the military orders assigning the service member to a certain post.  To verify this, please submit a copy of your marriage license, the military orders regarding the PCS move, documentation of disability as outlined above (if applicable), or documentation that the service member was killed while on active duty (and you are not remarried) (if applicable).

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10.

Do you wish to be considered under National Service (Peace Corps and VISTA)?
Former Peace Corps Volunteers:  Under this authority, a former Peace Corps volunteer who recently completed his/her volunteer service may be appointed without competition to a permanent position in the Federal competitive service.

  • To be eligible for appointment under this authority, you must have satisfactorily completed your volunteer service in the Peace Corps within the past year.
  • To claim eligibility, you must provide a letter from the Peace Corps indicating the beginning and end dates of your volunteer service, certifying that you served satisfactorily.

Former Peace Corps Employees:  Under this authority, a former Peace Corps employee (other than a volunteer) who recently completed at least 36 months of continuous service with the Peace Corps may be appointed without competition to a permanent appointment in the Federal competitive service.

  • To be eligible for appointment under this authority, you must have satisfactorily completed no less than 36 months of continuous service in the Peace Corps within the past three years.
  • To claim eligibility, you must provide a letter from the Peace Corps indicating the beginning and end dates of your service as an employee of the Peace Corps, certifying that you served satisfactorily.
(limit characters)
11.

Do you wish to be considered under Non-Competitive Merit Promotion?

To be eligible under non-competitive merit promotion, you must be:

A Current or former (reinstatement eligible) competitive, career/career-conditional Federal employee who has previously competed for, held, or currently holds, the full performance level of the position you are applying.

To claim eligibility under non-competitive merit promotion, you must submit the following documentation with your application:

  • A copy of your most recent or past SF-50 in order to verify your claim for non-competitive eligibility. If the most recent SF-50 does not show your highest grade competed for or held, then you MUST also submit a copy of an SF-50 that reflects your highest grade held on a permanent basis.
(limit characters)
12.

Are you eligible for conversion from a Pathways Internship?
This authority allows for current Pathways Interns that have completed all Pathways program requirements to be non-competitively converted to a permanent or Term position in the competitive service.

To be eligible for non-competitive conversion from a Pathways Intern position, a person must:

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Be within the 180-day conversion time-frame from the date their degree, career, or technical education program requirements are conferred;
  • Completed at least 480 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program while enrolled full-time or part-time;
  • Completed their degree, career, or technical education program requirements;
  • Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Intern will be converted;
  • Meet agency-specific requirements as specified in the Participant's Agreement; and,
  • Maintain acceptable performance under the agency's approved performance management system.
  • Receive favorable recommendation for conversion from supervisor.
  • Indefinite Interns must have a completed IDP.
 

To claim eligibility for non-competitive conversion under a Pathways Intern appointment, you must submit the following documentation with your application:

Copies of the appropriate documentation including:

  • Transcripts with degree date, unofficial will be accepted, however official transcripts will be required prior to a final job offer;
  • Current pathways agreement;
  • a favorable recommendation for conversion from the work experience supervisor;
  • Current SF-50 showing Pathways status.
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13.

Do you wish to be considered under Schedule A?
To be eligible under Schedule A, you must be:

A candidate with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.  Under this authority, a person with severe physical or mental disabilities may be appointed without competition to an excepted service position on a temporary or non-temporary basis. Upon completion of two years of satisfactory service under a non-temporary Schedule A appointment, the appointee may be converted to a permanent appointment in the competitive service. *** Please note: This authority cannot be used for Pathways positions.

To claim eligibility under Schedule A, you must submit the following documentation with your application:

  • A certification statement/proof of disability from a state Vocational Rehabilitation Service (state or private), Department of Veterans Affairs, a licensed medical professional, or any Federal agency, State agency or agency of the District of Columbia or U. S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits.  Note: Certification Statement/Proof of disability (i.e., a record, statement, or other appropriate documentation confirming a severe physical, mental, or psychiatric disability) issued by a licensed medical professional, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or any Federal or State agency that issues or provides disability benefits.
(limit characters)
14.

Do you wish to be considered under Public Land Corp (PLC)?
To be eligible for a Public Land Corp (PLC) appointment:

The candidate must have completed his/her most recent Corp service, which provided him/her with a total of 640 hours, inclusive of 120 hours on a PLC project as defined in 16 USC 1723(d), within the last two (2) years.  The candidate must between the ages of 16-30 (inclusive).

To claim eligibility under Public Land Corp (PLC), you must submit the following documentation with your application:

A copy of the "Certificate of Eligibility for Non-competitive Hiring Status (PLC), signed by a bureau PLC Coordinator.

(limit characters)
15.

Do you wish to be considered under VEOA?
The VEOA allows veterans' preference eligibles and other veterans who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions to apply and be considered for certain vacancies that are otherwise open only to status or reinstatement-eligible applicants outside of DOI.

To be eligible under VEOA, you must be one of the following:

  • A veterans' preference eligible; or
  • A veteran who was separated from the armed forces after substantially completing three or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge).

To claim eligibility under VEOA, you must submit the following documentation with your application:

  • A copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," preferably the Member 4 copy, showing the dates of active duty, type of discharge, and character of service (must be honorable; (this means an honorable or general discharge).

Note for Active duty service members expecting to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days: you may be granted tentative preference by submitting a "certification" document in lieu of a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD 214.  A "certification" is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant.

  • If you are claiming eligibility based on 10-point veterans' preference (CPS, CP, XP), you are required to submit documentation that is indicated on the SF-15 as acceptable proof of verification of your preference (i.e., official document, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying that the veterans total combined serviced-connected disability rating is 10% or more.
(limit characters)
16.

Do you wish to be considered under VRA?
Under VRA, an agency may hire eligible veterans without competition up to the GS-11 grade level. Upon satisfactory completion of two years of service in a VRA appointment, the appointee must be converted to a permanent appointment in the Federal competitive service.To be eligible for a VRA appointment, you must have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge) and be one of the following:

  • A Disabled veteran;
  • A Veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized;
  • A Veteran who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces Service Medal was awarded; or
  • A recently separated veterans (within 3 years).

To claim eligibility under VRA, you must submit the following documentation with your application:

  • Your DD-214(s) (reflecting character of service and type of discharge).
  • If you are claiming eligibility based on 10-point veterans' preference (CPS, CP), you are required to submit documentation that is indicated on the SF-15 as acceptable proof of verification of your preference (i.e., official document, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying that the veterans total combined serviced-connected disability rating is 10% or more.
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Preferences
1. It is your responsibility to ensure that your resume and correct documents are uploaded and received. Please, verify during the application process on the "application review page" that you have uploaded the appropriate documentation as stated in the required documents section of the vacancy announcement. No documentation will be accepted after the closing date of the announcement. I understand that it is my responsibility that I must submit a resume and all required supporting documentation prior to the closing date of the announcement. (limit characters)
2. What attracted you to this position? (limit characters)
3. If you have ever held a Federal position please indicate your pay plan, highest grade held, and dates held below (e.g. GS-13; 08/15/11 - 08/15/12). If applying based on noncompetitive eligibility and if you do not have prior Federal service, please type "N/A" in the text box below. (limit 100 characters)
4. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement have the option to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) that have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, promotion potential and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration. If you select "yes", your information could potentially be shared with other bureaus if there is a need to fill another position. If you select "no", your information will NOT be shared with other bureaus. Do you agree to have your information shared with other bureaus? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Please note that you will only be considered for the eligibility option(s) for which you select. You may select more than one option of consideration, if applicable. If the required documentation is not received by the closing date of the announcement, you will be found ineligible for the position and will be removed from further review. A resume is required for ALL consideration options. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
1. I certify that I have read each of the referral eligibilities identified in this announcement and I have selected the eligibility or eligibilities that I wish to be considered. I understand that failure to identify an eligibility or eligibilities will result in loss of consideration for this announcement. I understand that I must submit all required documentation to verify my eligibility by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. (limit characters)
Thank you for your interest in this vacancy. Please select the response that best reflects how you meet the qualification requirements for this position. (limit characters)
Please read all of the statements below, and then select the response that best describes your current certification/ licensure. This job has a selective placement factor element which will be used to determine minimum eligibility for this job. Applicants who do not possess the certification and/or licensure or qualified, or willing and able to obtain one will be ineligible.
Your resume and responses to the self-assessment questions are an integral part of the process for determining your qualifications for this position. Therefore, it is important that your resume supports your responses to the assessment questions.
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2. Do you possess a current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Mechanic Certificate with Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Rating with current Inspection Authorization (IA) privileges; OR, Qualified, and willing to obtain an IA within 6 months of employment?
Note: Inspection Authorization must be obtained within 6 months of employment or candidate will be found ineligible for position and terminated.
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3. Have you been actively engaged, for at least the preceding three-year period, in maintaining light piston powered aircraft certificated and maintained, in accordance with the Federal Aviation Regulations?
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4. Do you currently hold an effective mechanic certificate with both an airframe and a powerplant rating, each of which is currently effective and has been in effect for a total of at least three years? (limit characters)
Please read all of the statements below, and then select the response that best describes your current ability to meet the conditions of employment. This job has conditions of employment which will be used to determine minimum eligibility for this job. Applicants who answer "no" to any of the questions below will be found ineligible. (limit characters)
5. Do you possess a valid state Driver's license? (limit characters)
6. Are you physically able to independently lift and carry parts and equipment up to 20 pounds and lift and carry items up to 50 pounds as a routine job function?
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7. Are you able to perform work inside a heated hanger on concrete floors or on work stands/ ladders and also outside in adverse weather conditions while subject to extremely loud noises during maintenance operations and engine run-up tests?
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8. Do you possess sufficient hearing, vision, and physical dexterity to fulfill the position of a journeyman Airframe and Powerplant technician with Inspectors Authorization?
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9. Do you have the ability to do the work of an aircraft mechanic inspector without more than normal supervision such as: perform inspection, maintenance, repair, and/or alteration to certificated light piston powered aircraft and associated components and systems and complete the return to service of certificated light piston powered aircraft? (limit characters)
10. Are you able to work independently or as part of a team after receiving daily work assignments in order to make airworthiness determinations and effect repairs on deficient aircraft/aircraft components and release aircraft from maintenance for return to service?
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11. When assistance is needed on complex situations, are you able to be an effective participant in decision making and provide insight to work leaders and management.
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12. Inspects incoming aircraft and aircraft components to verify discrepancies found during operational use and determine type and extent of repair required. Inspects proposed and completed maintenance actions performed by other mechanics to determine eligibility, applicability, and airworthiness of the repairs. Conducts and completes, to include release from maintenance for return to service, annual inspections, 100-hour inspections or phase inspections (all phases) on certificated light piston powered aircraft maintained in accordance with the Federal Aviation Regulations.
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For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training. Only select one response for each item. Read all responses before making your selection. You are required to answer every question in the questionnaire. YOUR RESUME MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWERS YOU CLAIM IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE IN ORDER TO BE FOUND QUALIFIED AND CONSIDERED FOR THE POSITION. (limit characters)
13. Ensures all parts and materials used on certified light piston powered aircraft are approved, correct, serviceable, and eligible for installation.
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14. Identifies and applies new technologies that support aviation mission safety, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
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15. Conducts or assists others in the completion of Major Repairs or Major Alterations and executes FAA form 337 as defined by the Federal Aviation Regulations on certificated light piston powered civil aircraft.
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16. Inspects incoming aircraft and aircraft components, and verifies discrepancies found during operational use to determine type and extent of repair required.
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17. Inspects proposed and completed maintenance actions performed by other mechanics to determine eligibility and applicability and airworthiness of the repairs.
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18. Conducts and completes, to include release from maintenance for return to service, Annual inspections, or 100-hour inspections or phase inspections (all phases) on certificated light piston powered aircraft maintained in accordance with the Federal Aviation Regulations.
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19. Conducted control system rigging or inspected completed rigging maintenance actions on light general aviation helicopters.
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20. Conducts maintenance, and releases from maintenance for return to service, certified general aviation helicopters in accordance with the Federal Aviation Regulations.
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21. Briefly and accurately expresses, orally or in writing, complex technical problems in terms that permit the listener to make a valid decision.
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22. Conducts maintenance, and releases from maintenance for return to service, certified light single engine piston aircraft in accordance with the Federal Aviation Regulations.
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23. Develops and maintains good working relationships with customers, coworkers, and stakeholders.
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24. Cooperates in a professional manner with team members to identify and discuss problems and collaborate within a team environment to achieve desired outcomes.
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25. Have you been in an environment where you effectively projected a positive attitude supportive to the objectives of the organization in achieving customer service excellence? NOTE: If you answer yes to this question you may be asked to elaborate if you are brought in for an interview.
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26. Locates and scrutinizes a Type Certificate Data Sheet and Supplemental Type Certificates to determine what equipment may be installed or is required to be installed on an aircraft. (limit characters)
27. Understands how to utilize Material Safety Data Sheets for protection of self and the environment. (limit characters)
28. Conducts landing gear changes (I.E. unserviceable gear to serviceable gear, wheels to floats, wheels to ski's) on certificated light piston powered aircraft. (limit characters)
29. Utilizes precision measuring equipment, calibrated equipment, and affect its proper care. (limit characters)
30. Accomplish track and balance on light general aviation helicopter rotor systems. (limit characters)
31. Interprets and applies Federal Aviation Regulations, Repair Station Manual Guidelines and manufacturers manuals when conducting or evaluating maintenance to ensure regulatory compliance in support of producing Airworthy aircraft.
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32. Evaluates for suitability initial installation of various supplemental type certificates STC (i.e., floats, skis, and other alterations) and execute installation.
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33. Adjusts, troubleshoots, and repairs aircraft piston engines to include fuel, ignition and indicating systems.
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34. Prevents, controls, identifies, treats, and repairs damage caused by various types of corrosion.
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35. Applies effective risk management strategies to mitigate present or potential problems.
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Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
36. This position is designated as a Non-Sensitive/Moderate Risk position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated Public Trust Suitability Background Investigation (T2S or T2RS or equivalent) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment.
Are you willing to undergo a comprehensive background investigation which includes, but is not limited to, contact with all references, employers, co-workers, personal associates, and a review of your driving record, credit history, criminal history, and military service?
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37. During the last 7 years, have you been under any investigations?
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