AIR ACCIDENTS INVESTIGATION BRANCH
DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
INSPECTOR OF AIR ACCIDENTS (OPERATIONS)
February 2016
Introduction
Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB)
Purpose
'To improve aviation safety by determining the causes of accidents and serious
incidents and making Safety Recommendations to prevent accidents in the future.'
The AAIB’s primary role is to investigate all civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents
which occur in the UK or its Overseas Territories and to participate in overseas
investigations when British registered or manufactured aircraft are involved. The AAIB
also participates in other foreign investigations when its expertise is requested.
In carrying out our purpose The AAIB strive to:

Respond quickly to air accidents and serious incidents and lead and manage the
accident investigation team while ensuring their safety at the accident location.

Conduct thorough, independent, impartial and timely investigations into air
accidents and serious incidents.
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Produce clearly written, thorough and concise reports with well founded analysis
and conclusions that explain the circumstances and causes of accidents and
serious incidents without apportioning blame or liability.

Ensure compliance with ICAO Annex 13 and UK and European statutory
obligations for the investigation of air accidents.

Provide assistance and expertise to the international air accident community to
improve aviation safety globally.

Improve aviation safety in general by education and promulgating the lessons
learnt from accident investigations.

Treat the survivors and the relatives of victims of air accidents sympathetically
and help them to understand ‘what happened’ and what is being done to prevent
similar accidents in the future.

Maintain and develop excellence in our people and provide a fulfilling
environment in which to work.
Further information can be found at www.aaib.gov.uk
Structure
The Chief Inspector of Air Accidents reports directly to the Secretary of State for
Transport on aviation safety matters. He leads a team of specialists covering a range
of disciplines. The diagram below sets out the structure of the Branch.
Chief Inspector
|
Deputy Chief Inspector
|
|
|
Principal
Inspector
Ops
|
|
5 Inspectors
|
|
Principal
Inspector
Ops
|
|
5 Inspectors
|
|
Principal
Inspector
Eng
|
|
4 Inspectors
|
|
Principal
Inspector
Eng
|
|
4 Inspectors
|
|
Principal
Inspector
Eng
|
|
5 Inspectors
|
Principal
Inspector
Flight
Recorder
Group
|
5 Inspectors
Inspector of Air Accidents (Operations)
An AAIB Operations Inspector’s work will be directed principally towards establishing
and analysing the operational factors in aircraft accidents and serious incidents. This
will include: interviewing crew members and witnesses; reviewing flight deck and ATC
procedures, reconstructing flight profiles, considering the meteorological aspects and
investigating the impact of human factors. This will often involve co-ordination with
other specialist investigators. You will be required to produce accurate, detailed and
timely technical reports and on occasion present evidence at Coroners Inquests and
Judicial Inquiries. For candidates who are enthusiastic about aviation, who work well
within a team and who would like to advance aviation safety, this career offers
intellectual challenges and exceptional job satisfaction.
Qualifications and Experience
You must hold a current Airline Transport Pilots Licence with a valid Class I medical
certificate. You must have approximately 5,000 hours or more total flying experience as
a pilot of which approximately 2,000 hours will be in command of a fixed or rotary wing
aircraft. Some of your experience must be on a fixed or rotary wing air transport aircraft
type operating in the civil environment. A broad based knowledge of aviation is
required.
You must be able to apply your professional and technical knowledge to aircraft safety
investigation, show integrity and tact, be reliable under pressure and accept
responsibility. Drive, determination and sound judgement are necessary.
You must be able to work on your own initiative, have a high degree of personal resolve
and motivation, as well as the ability to work in small multi-disciplinary teams.
Highly developed interpersonal skills able to deal with traumatic events are essential,
together with good oral and written communication skills. You will also be computer
literate.
You must also be able to write accurate, concise, logical and timely technical reports;
this ability will be tested during your assessment day.
You must have and maintain a full, valid UK driving licence.
Person Specification
As well as the qualifications and experience detailed above this role demands ability in
the following competency areas:

Applying Expertise & Technology
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
Making Effective Decisions
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
Managing information
Pragmatic decision making
Impartiality and objectivity
Delivering at Pace
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
Team player
Partnering
Challenging
Managing a Quality Service
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
Analysing and evaluating
Identification of complex issues
Reaching conclusions
Collaborating and Partnering
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
Using specialist experience
Building technical knowledge
Applying technology
Clarifying priorities
Performing effectively
Reviewing and Challenging
Written Communications
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Writing correctly
Expressing reasoned argument
Engaging style
Terms and Conditions
Salary
The starting salary is £72,944. The top of the pay range is £80,238. Increases in
salary, which are subject to annual review, are determined on your annual performance.
After approximately 2 years and subject to satisfactory progression, you will be awarded
a non-pensionable allowance of £4,000 and become a Senior Inspector. After a further
4 years you may be awarded an additional non-pensionable allowance of £2,000.
Additionally, a performance related pay bonus can be awarded annually.
This is a full-time permanent post.
Relocation Expenses
A contribution to assist you with your relocation expenses may be payable if you have
to move house.
Nationality
This is a reserved post and is open to UK nationals only. If you have any doubts about
whether you satisfy the nationality requirements please follow the link below and refer
to Section 3.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/307925/nationalit
y-rules_amendedjh101213.pdf
Hours
You will normally work a 5-day week of 42 hours (including lunch breaks). On
occasions however, you will be required to work longer hours investigating accidents ‘in
the field’, deploying at short notice to locations in the UK and sometimes overseas.
Time off in lieu is given in respect of work carried out at weekends and on public
holidays and overtime is paid.
Benefits

25 days paid annual leave a year (excluding public holidays) increasing by one
day each year to a maximum of 30 days.

Discretionary bonuses will be awarded for exceptional performance.
Pension
When you start your new job, you are eligible to join the Civil Service pension scheme
called ‘Alpha’ (introduced on 1 April 2015).
‘Alpha’ provides a defined benefit worked out on a Career Average basis (a pension
based on a percentage of how much you earn each year). Retirement benefits are
based on your earnings and length of time you have been a member. On retirement
you will have the opportunity to exchange some of your pension for a one-off, tax free,
lump sum. Retirement age is the later of age 65, or your State Pension age.
Previous civil servants may have other pension options and can contact the DfT
pension helpline on 020 7944 8400. Visit the Civil Service Pensions website for more
information at: www.civilservice-pensions.gov.uk
Probation
You will be on probation for six months. This will not apply to successful candidates
who are already established Civil Servants and have successfully completed a
probationary period of one year.
Civil Servants
If you are already a civil servant, special rules will apply to the starting salary, annual
leave, pension and probation.
Training and Development
Training and personal development are very important. You may be required to attend
a six week or two week residential training course to equip you with the skills and
knowledge for the role. Course duration will depend on course availability.
You will be encouraged, and a provision will be made for you to keep in flying practice
and to maintain your ATPL. You will be required to keep abreast of new techniques and
develop your professional and investigative skills.
Health Standards
For appointment you must be able to give regular and effective service. You may be
required, from time to time, to operate in challenging and inhospitable environments in
locations world-wide. These could include operations in remote mountainous terrain or
at sea. Applicants invited to interview will therefore be asked to complete a health
declaration if necessary to attend a medical examination. Successful candidates will be
required to undertake a fitness assessment and health & safety training.
Pre-employment enquiries
If you are successful, enquiries will be carried out into your nationality, health and other
issues to ensure that you are qualified for appointment. When the enquiries have been
completed satisfactorily, which can take a few weeks, it will be for the DfT to make you
a formal offer of appointment.
Security
The successful candidate will be required to undergo national security vetting to
Security Check level.
You will on occasions be required to enter the USA. It is an essential requirement for
this appointment that you meet USA visa requirements for entry into the USA. Any
appointment is subject to meeting and continuing to meet this requirement.
Equal opportunities
DfT is an equal opportunities employer. Applications are welcome from all suitably
qualified people regardless of race, gender, religion, marital status, disability, age or
sexual orientation.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled persons
DfT is a signatory to the Department of Work and Pensions ‘two ticks’ disability scheme.
Applicants who meet the minimum criteria as described under eligibility and score the
minimum acceptable score in each of the competencies on the achievement record will
automatically be invited to interview.
If you wish to apply for consideration under this scheme complete the relevant form
attached.
Recruitment and Selection process
Please complete the on-line application and equal opportunities monitoring form by the
prescribed date. All monitoring data will be treated in the strictest confidence and will
not affect your application in any way.
Please ensure you include full contact details in your application, including home, work
and mobile telephone numbers. Please also indicate your current salary and your
salary expectations for this role.
You should also indicate two possible referees. References will not be taken up until
before the final interview panel and in all cases will be taken with the prior consent of
candidates.
The deadline for applications is Monday 7 March 2016.
Selection timetable
Short-listed applicants with the most appropriate combination of skills and experience
will be called to attend an assessment day at the AAIB, Farnborough. They will also be
given an opportunity to visit the Air Accidents Investigation Branch before the interview.
You will be required to present the following documents at interview:
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Passport
Driving Licence
Certificates/Licences/Log Books etc supporting your professional qualifications.
Utility bill to confirm your place of residence
Appointment will be subject to satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks
including references and medical clearance.
The Department does not reimburse the candidates’ costs of participating in any part of
the selection process
Unsuccessful candidates at interview will be provided feedback on their performance if
required.
The Department’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection
for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the
Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the principles and
you wish to make a complaint, you should contact [email protected] in the
first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the
Department, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners.