AIRCRAFT SURVIVAL AND FLIGHT EQUIPMENT REPAIRER

Summary This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) position. ARTs are part of the regular career civil service and enjoy all the benefits granted to Federal employees in the competitive civil service. In addition, ARTs are required to maintain their active membership in the AF Reserve unit where assigned. ARTs receive on average one weekend of military training per month. Click on “Learn more about this agency” button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. Responsibilities The primary purpose of this position is: As an Air Reserve Technician (ART), to support all flying organizations and transient aircrews with aircrew flight equipment needed to fly safely. The incumbent inspects, fabricates, assembles, modifies, and repairs articles that are difficult to plan, lay out, construct, and fit because of figure irregularities, uncommon shapes and sizes, or unusual design, e.g., thermal radiation barriers, nose dock enclosure curtains, canopies, emergency evacuation systems, flotation equipment, protective clothing, and covers. Also, disassembles, repairs, tests, troubleshoots, examines, inspects, fits, modifies, maintains, installs, repacks, and determines serviceability of helmets, torso harness assemblies, preservers, parachutes, life rafts, chemical and biological protective devices, survival kits, oxygen masks, anti-G-suits, etc. Also performs operational and circuit checks of emergency signaling and communication devices such as survival radios and beacons. In addition incumbent participates in providing aircrew flight equipment, egress, and water and land survival training by demonstrating and explaining proper usage and operation of equipment and related procedures. Duties: 1. Inspects, tests, troubleshoots, maintains, disassembles, repairs, installs, modifies, stores, issues, fits, and adjusts aircrew flight equipment and chemical/biological defense equipment such as flight helmets, oxygen masks, helmet mounted devices, survival kits, night vision systems, various freefall, ejection, cargo, and extraction parachutes, anti-G suits, eye and respiratory protective equipment, anti-exposure suits, chemical and biological protective devices, single place and multi-place life rafts, emergency signaling and communication devices such as survival radios and beacons, and other types of aircrew survival systems. 2. Disassembles, assembles, inspects, fabricates, modifies, alters, cleans, repairs, and packs aerospace components such as protective clothing and covers, upholstery, thermal radiation barriers, flotation equipment, emergency evacuation systems, and parachutes. 3. Performs documentation and Quality Control Inspections (QCI) tasks. 4. Assists with aircrew flight equipment continuation and chemical/biological defense equipment training classes. 5. Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintains a safe and clean work area. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C for the WG-4800 GENERAL EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE FAMILY. Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most blue-collar positions, you must meet any screen-out element listed, and show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on the quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time. The screen out element for this position is the ability to perform the work of an AIRCRAFT SURVIVAL AND FLIGHT EQUIPMENT REPAIRER with little or no supervision. JOB ELEMENTS: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge of aircrew flight equipment and chemical/biological defense equipment inspections and maintenance procedures using, fitting, and caring for aircrew flight equipment and chemical/biological defense equipment; and related supply procedures; and aircrew flight equipment continuation and chemical/biological defense training classes. 2. Knowledge of pyrotechnic and explosive devices and aircraft egress systems. 3. Knowledge of parachute construction; temperature and humidity affects on parachutes and other fabrics; characteristics of rubberized items as well as the effects of solvent, heat, and pressure on rubber; and a variety of common fabrics, webbings, tapes, etc., to include their finishes, performance, and handling. 4. Knowledge of shop mathematics, e.g., fractions, equations, and plane measurements and tools and tool control procedures. 5. Knowledge of safety requirements, practices, and procedures including the proper handling, use, and disposal of hazardous waste, materials, and pyrotechnics as outlined in applicable standards, manuals, and directives. 6. Ability to demonstrate and explain proper usage and operation of aircrew flight and survival equipment; make working sketches and complicated cutting layouts; draw patterns or adjust standard patterns; fit items to spaces with unusual parameters or obstructions; input and extract data from a database using a keyboard (a qualified typist is not required); set up, operate, and perform minor maintenance of equipment used in performing duties. Other significant facts pertaining to this position are: 1. This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) position. The incumbent is required to meet and maintain Air Force Reserve requirements. Work schedule will be aligned to allow incumbent to fully participate in unit training assemblies. The incumbents regular assignments are ART duties; however, the incumbent may be assigned some non- ART duties, generally not to exceed 30 percent of total responsibilities. 2. May be required to work other than normal duty hours and tours of duties such as rotating shifts, overtime, weekends, call back, uncommon tours of duty, holidays, etc. 3. The work may require the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate, valid drivers license may be required. 4. May be required to fly in commercial and/or military aircraft to perform temporary duty (TDY) assignments. FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Requires prolonged standing, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, lifting, and working in cramped, strained and uncomfortable positions performing inspections and maintenance on AFE equipment. Requires considerable use of arms, hands, and fingers to use power tools and inspect a variety of AFE equipment. Frequently lifts and carries items that weigh 30 to 50 pounds independently and occasionally lifts heavier items up to 150 pounds with assistance. Will be required to work in hot, cold, and inclement environments. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: The majority of the work will be performed in a temperature controlled environment; however some tasks will require work on the flight line in hot, cold, and inclement weather. Subject to high noise levels while working on or around aircraft Possibility of bruises, punctures, scratches, and other injuries caused by handling sharp tools and materials treated with special finishes. They may work on ladders and scaffolds. Some danger involved in handling munitions and high pressure oxygen cylinders and working in and around ejection seat aircraft. May be exposed to ionizing radiation if broken compasses are mishandled. Workers are exposed to caustic fumes from adhesives and may be exposed to body fluids while cleaning oxygen equipment. The supervisor will provide personal protective equipment. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Additional Information Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected, and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement. Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here. Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 – the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017” suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.