This position serves as a Lead Foreign Affairs Specialist in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office (AUS). The incumbent supports the mission of the Office of UAS Integration focused on UAS-related international regulatory and policy activities, and the global leadership strategic initiative. Acts as team lead as well as principal policy and/or technical specialist. Performs multiple, varying, and complex assignments under the minimal direction of a manager.
Duties
The incumbent of this position is a recognized subject matter expert in international aviation affairs-related functional activities and provides team leadership for highly complex and challenging initiatives under minimal direction of a manager. Shares responsibility for the performance of programs/projects that frequently affect more than one LOB/SO or the FAA. Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of U.S. and foreign aviation policies and programs, as well as an understanding of new technologies and methodologies to solve complex problems and develop improved processes or systems.
Works in a team environment and must effectively collaborate, cooperate, and coordinate to meet program and project goals. Ensures open and effective communication, cooperation, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders. Leads project meetings involving a wide variety of stakeholders and prepares accurate and timely project status reports.
Leads and manages the team for all programmed activities within the assigned responsibilities to align with FAA objectives. Serves as the primary advisor to the manager/director to execute and validate all proposed foreign affairs activities. Applies experience to identify, interpret, and apply regulatory guidance and policy to assigned programs. Identifies and resolves challenging problems or issues that often cross organizational boundaries impacting the accomplishment of the organizations strategic objectives. Typical assignments include: providing guidance to less experienced professionals, defining and developing internal policies and procedures, and predicting potential issues and proposing preventive actions.
Resolves complex problems and issues, and establishes realistic schedules and milestones. Applies knowledge of FAAs policies and objectives to identify, define, and organize resources for large projects/programs/work activities. Acquires and allocates resources to accomplish activities within established schedules and budgetary requirements. Keeps the manager informed of team activities at all times.
Provides assistance to management through the coordination and preparation of programs to further the offices mission, focusing on the international aspects of UAS integration. This support includes, but is not limited to the following tasks: leads the coordination of a subset of UAS international work in technical/policy areas, research and reviews U.S. and foreign aviation policies and programs, attends meetings, prepares briefing materials, and supports the wider FAA team to work with key stakeholders both within the FAA and with foreign counterparts, and facilitates FAA involvement in projects, as well as official foreign delegation visits. The incumbent is the principal subject matter expert and assists in developing international standards and recommended practices across all aspects of UAS integration and global engagement.
Provides expert guidance on foreign affairs activities and coordinates within the FAA, other U.S. government agencies, and foreign organizations to implement an agenda, determining FAA participation and input. Evaluates the environment to decide what organization members and external stakeholders want to know, need to know, and how they prefer to receive information. Develops briefing materials for senior officials engaged in training and technical activities; collects and analyzes information about UAS-related policies, programs, and overall UAS ecosystems. Works on regional portfolios for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Western Hemisphere, Asia-Pacific as well as with organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), European Commission (E.C.), UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA), or Latin America Civil Aviation Commission (LACAC).
Develops briefings to convey strategic vision and/or organizational policies to internal and external audiences.