QUALITY ASSURANCE SPECIALIST (AIRCRAFT)

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Quality Assurance Specialist in the evaluation/audit areas of aircraft maintenance; to observe and determine quality of in-process and after-the-fact maintenance, ensure prescribed technical and management procedures are followed and quality maintenance is achieved; to provide current local maintenance guidance to managers, supervisors and technicians; and to manage other quality assurance programs per applicable guidance.

Qualifications: Conditions of Employment Continued: This is a KEY position. The duties of this position meet all requirements as a category 4 designation and shall not be vacated during a national emergency or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the parent Federal Agency or office to function effectively. This position must be removed from the Ready Reserve and CAN NOT become a member of the Ready Reserve. (IAW: DoDD 1200.7, "Screening the Ready Reserve"). Position Requirements: In order to qualify, you must meet the requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Administrative and Management Positions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems that demonstrated a practical knowledge in monitoring, controlling, or maintaining the quality of products or services in quality assurance, procurement, inspection, production, or related areas. Examples of specialized experience include: Reviewing production activities and capabilities in light of contract quality requirements; Reviewing written quality or inspection procedures for adequacy, and evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of quality/inspection systems, including sampling plans; Analyzing quality data to detect unsatisfactory trends or weaknesses in the quality/inspection system; Verifying by test or inspection, using sampling inspection or intensive product inspection techniques, that products comply with requirements prior to acceptance; Identifying inadequacies and requesting corrective action; Computing data, summarizing results, and preparing reports or charts depicting pertinent relationships using statistical methods; Investigating customer complaints and deficiency reports, and providing identification of causes to appropriate authorities; Reading, interpreting, and applying technical data such as blueprints, engineering drawings, product specifications, or technical manuals; Reviewing and evaluating supply systems operations and procedures through periodic audits and surveillance inspections; Comprehensive knowledge or quality assurance methods, principles, and practices to plan, direct, and/or accomplish a variety or work assignments involving all facets of a quality assurance program; Knowledge or aircraft, related equipment and supplies, including manufacturing and processing methods, testing and inspection techniques, and the interrelationship of functional parts and assemblies; Knowledge of Department of Defense operating policies and procedures and related functional/administrative activities such as procurement, engineering, production, and supply to effect appropriate interface/coordination of quality assurance plans and programs. OR EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., with a major study in quality assurance, statistics, mathematics, production management, industrial management, computer science, engineering, engineering technology, physical sciences, textiles, or other fields related to the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of Transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-­grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Comprehensive knowledge of quality assurance/control methods, principles, and practices, including statistical analysis and sampling techniques of assigned aeronautical systems and equipment. Broad knowledge of operating policies and procedures of both internal and external quality-related activities such as program management, contractors' production engineering, workload planning, procurement, or supply and skill to coordinate quality assurance plans and functions with these activities. Skill in applying this knowledge to the identification of quality problems and resolving the difficult and complex work assignments. Skill to plan and conduct studies, analyze performance and quality data and to develop sound recommendations for correction of quality system deficiencies. Skill in applying this knowledge to planning and developing quality systems for the facility. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships throughout the various departments and with using activities. Ability to conduct technical reviews, analyze findings and develop recommendations for corrections or improvements in the quality assurance program. Ability to prepare technical reports on quality levels, to identify specific problem areas and to recommend corrective action