The Office of Aviation Safety (AVS) manages the certification of aircraft and the people who fly and maintain those aircraft, as well as others working in safety-related positions. AVS also oversees civil flight operations and develops safety regulations with the help of more than 7,400 employees across the globe.
Duties
The Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety is the key advisor to the FAA Administrator on aviation safety. The incumbent sets, oversees, and enforces safety standards for all sectors of the aviation industry, impacting every facet of domestic and international civil aviation safety. The Associate Administrator executes the work of the Office of Aviation Safety through a geographically-dispersed workforce of approximately 7,400 employees and is responsible for an approximate $1.8B budget.
Principal Responsibilities:
Develops FAA safety strategic management initiatives, goals, and short and long term direction and implementation plans. Leads and communicates the status, safety strategies, critical issues, complex challenges and emerging developments, products, technologies, and innovations. Ensures that strategies are developed based on data-driven decision making that advances and improves the mission of FAA and AVS operations and stakeholder products and services.
Oversees the adequacy of substantive aspects of FAA rulemaking actions, directives/guidance, and responses relating to the safety of flight; certification and competence of airmen, air carriers, and air agencies; certification and airworthiness of aircraft; aircraft and airmen registry; physical fitness of airmen and other persons associated with safety in flight; airmen medical certification systems, aviation medical research, designated aviation medical examiner system, aeromedical education, and medical accident investigations; National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident and incident investigation, NTSB recommendations, reporting programs for accidents and incidents, and NTSB hearings.
Influences the development and harmonization of international safety standards, procedures and practices. Partners with other civil aviation authorities and regional organizations to promote and improve FAA’s position in global aviation leadership. Advocates compliance with international safety standards.
Champions unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) activities to enable the safe and efficient use and integration of UAS globally. Advocates for the development and alignment of UAS regulations and policy harmonization across the agency, broader U.S. Government, global aviation community, Air Navigation Service Provider counterparts and others on a bilateral, regional and global basis.
Provides global leadership for Aerospace Medicine in the 21st century. Manages a broad range of medical programs and services (e.g., pilot medical certification, aerospace medical training, medical clearance of air traffic control specialists, aviation industry drug and alcohol testing).
Ensures FAA serves as the industry leader in safety investigation, analysis, and information sharing. Prescribes procedures and responsibilities for aircraft accident and incident notification, investigation and reporting. Oversees the FAA’s accident, incident and occurrence response programs. Directs investigations and activities related to the NTSB.
Maintains close and continuous contact with representatives of Congress, national military establishment, other Federal agencies, State and local governments, aviation industry stakeholders, and the general public, as well as various other domestic and foreign public and private aviation organizations. Handles media inquiries related to, and develops communications strategy for, aviation safety matters. Presents and defends DOT/FAA positions with respect to Aviation Safety programs and policies.
