Aviation Technical Specialist I

About the role

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Aeronautics Division is seeking two (2) positions. One position is in the Planning and Environmental Section, and the other is in the Grants, Compliance and Inspection Section.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science Degree from an accredited college or university
• No experience is required
• If candidate has Aviation experience, additional compensation may be desired.

Responsibilities - Planning and Environmental Track

• Assist the development and update of Capital Improvements Plans (CIPs) for each airport annually including programming phase;
• Assisting communities on technical aspects of terminal and visual navigational aids and Global Positioning System (GPS) approaches;
• Assisting communities on compatible land use planning on and off airport property;
• Cordination and review the Federal 7460-1 forms (Notice of Proposed Construction) for on-airport development;
• Review preliminary studies or surveys and cost estimates for project feasibility and funding;
• Aid airport sponsors with development, coordination, and review of airport master plans, airport layout plan sets, and the airport Capital Improvement Plan;
• Aid with property acquisition preparation and relocation assistance;
• Review and approve environmental documentation, as required under applicable State and Federal laws or regulations, in accordance with FAA Advisory Circular 150/5100-21, FAA Orders 1050.1and 5050.4;
• Cookordination with FAA reporting all comments to the State Historic Preservation Officer or the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Organize an investigation, if required, to meet the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966;
• Work to identify aviation infrastructure issues for maintenance, repair, safety, environmental, and operational needs;
• Work to ensure project selection and continuity through collaboration and effective communication with the internal/external stakeholders and project team;
• Understand and apply techniques, procedures, and design criteria in accordance with technical manuals (i.e. FAA Advisory Circular) to develop and/or implement detailed specifications for aviation projects;
• Review Independent Fee Estimate results associated to planning projects to confirm consultant fees are acceptable;
• Learn to become proficient in different funding components and project selection scoring processes for Federal and State funded projects;
• Learn key components of technical disciplines within a matrix organization to ensure project successfulness by engaging the proper individuals for project needs;
• Utilize various software platforms to review and sketching/comment on documents.

Responsibilities - Grants, Compliance and Inspection Track

• Annually inspect assigned General Aviation Airports associated to State licensing to ensure safety requirements are fulfilled to Federal and State standards;
• Conduct Federal inspections (5010’s) annually for required airports and input data into the FAA’s Airport Data and Information Portal (ADIP);
• Gain and apply technical knowledge of approach categories, lighting systems, airfield markings and pavement conditions and deformations;
• Gain and apply working level knowledge of Airport Layout Plans to determine design standards of runway categories;
• Gain and apply technical knowledge of airport environment and design as well as understanding of FAA Advisory Circulars to identify potential safety hazards;
• Gain and apply technical knowledge of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes and Standards for operational safety at the airport;
• Gain extensive knowledge on Federal Grant Assurances. Responsible for conducting Part 13.1 investigations and issuing a recommendation to FAA for determination. Also responsible for conducting State Compliance investigations. This involves coordination with FAA, State and local government officials, and citizens;
• Required to obtain, after gaining employment within a required timeframe, a UAS (Uncrewed Aerial Systems) FAA Part 107 Drone License to fly on behalf of TDOT to collect obstruction data at airports;
• Enter airport correction action plan(s) as needed;