AIRCRAFT SURIVAL AND FLIGHT EQUIPMENT REPAIRER

Full Job Description

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.

In order to qualify, you must meet the quality level of experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook X-118C for WG-4800 - General Equipment Maintenance Family.

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 do the work of an Aircraft Survival and Flight Equipment Repairer without more than normal 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: 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.

Knowledge of pyrotechnic and explosive devices and aircraft egress systems.

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.

Knowledge of shop mathematics, e.g., fractions, equations, and plane measurements and tools and tool control procedures.

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.

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: 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 incumbent's regular assignments are ART duties; however, the incumbent may be assigned some non-ART duties, generally not to exceed 30 percent of total responsibilities.

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.

Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. The work may require the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate valid driver's license may be required.

May be required to fly in commercial and/or military aircraft to perform temporary duty (TDY) assignments.

This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968.

An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.

This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program.

Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing.

Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive 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 maybe 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. Major Duties:

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, layout, 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: DUTY 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.

DUTY 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.

Plans and schedules parachute and other fabric work when detailed specifications are not available.

Takes measurements for articles of various shapes; uses shop mathematics to calculate dimensions and lay out circles, angles, curves and irregular shapes; makes working sketches, and complicated cutting layouts; and draws patterns or adjusts standard patterns to fit special requirements.

Checks repaired and repacked survival equipment and determines serviceability based on required specifications and technical publications.

Evaluates problems and determines feasibility of repair or replacement of fabric, rubber equipment, and parachutes.

Evaluates work orders for local manufacturing, plans layout, and fabricates new items. Installs, removes, inspects, tests, and sets manual and automatic rip cord release opening devices.

Stores, handles, and inspects pyrotechnic items. Operates, maintains, and inspects survival equipment machinery, test equipment, and tools.

Performs operator maintenance and service inspections on shop equipment. Stores, handles, uses, and disposes of hazardous waste and materials based on environmental standards.

DUTY 3: Performs documentation and Quality Control Inspections (QCI) tasks. Updates inspection information in a variety of automated data management systems.

Maintains documentation on all work that is performed on equipment, reflecting inspection history, discrepancies, and corrective action taken.

Performs Quality Control Inspections (QCI) on 10% or more when directed on all personal flight gear and 100% on all parachutes and survival equipment.

Maintains accountability documentation on aircrew flight equipment issued. Conducts periodic inventories to ensure positive control of equipment and supply.

DUTY 4: Assists with aircrew flight equipment continuation and chemical/biological defense equipment training classes. Instructs aircrews on equipment use, operation, and capabilities.

Teaches aircrew techniques such as evasion procedures, emergency egress, combat survival procedures, environmental hazards, and other survival actions.

Instructs aircrew hanging harness post ejection and bail-out descent procedures and chemical/biological defense donning, doffing, and decontaminating procedures.

DUTY 5: Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintains a safe and clean work area.

Uses and assures proper fit of required safety equipment and clothing.

Follows federal and state rules when storing, using, handling, labeling, and disposing of hazardous materials and waste in accordance with environmental standards.

Performs clean-up duties such as cleaning equipment, sweeping, straightening, and lining up tools and other property in the assigned area.