RPAS Standards Officer

The Role
As a member of CASA’s Aviation Technical (AT) job family, the RPAS Standards Officer, performs routine - complex tasks working under direct guidance from a manager and National Manager. The role sits within a team of regulations specialists and other related staff, who work collaboratively to coordinate CASA’s regulatory pipeline from the emergence of new aviation technologies.

This role is a member of the Emerging Technologies and Regulatory Change Branch, which is responsible for data analysis, problem identification, and policy development activities for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), the delivery of CASA’s regulatory change program, ensuring compliance with Government regulatory impact obligations, and coordinating CASA’s broader program of ensuring that CASA is prepared for emerging aviation technologies.

The RPAS Standards Officer is responsible for the following deliverables:

• Providing recommendations on a range of routine data analysis, problem identification, and policy and regulatory development tasks in compliance with CASA’s Corporate Plan, policies, practices and standards, and in accordance with CASA’s Regulatory Philosophy and assigned delegations.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues, by providing detailed, timely and constructive input, sharing knowledge and managing performance in accordance with CASA’s Values, policies and practices.
• Contributing to work programs that deliver the various elements of CASA’s strategies and priorities including but not limited to CASA’s preparation for the deployment of emerging aviation technologies and capabilities.
• Assessing and analysing industry information, engaging with stakeholders, monitoring other external influences, and investigating potential scenarios to develop compliance strategies and mitigate emerging or actual risks.
• Contribute to maintaining a positive health and safety culture at CASA, including psychosocial wellbeing in the workplace and providing input, where appropriate, into decisions that may impact upon personal health, safety and wellbeing in the workplace.
• Demonstrating awareness of the diverse histories, cultures, and experiences of First Nations Peoples and other cultural groups. Communicating with respect and understanding of balancing work, family and community responsibilities.
• Positively engaging in and respond to change.
• Other duties as required.

Ideal Candidate
Our ideal candidate must demonstrate the following:

• Demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience relating to assessment of new technologies, creation of regulatory change and legislative artefacts, and change management.
• Ability to work under direct guidance in accordance with established regulatory practices, operational needs, procedures, and assigned delegations.
• Ability to exercise initiative, analysis, problem solving, judgement, and decision-making and apply technical knowledge on matters where standards, policies and procedures may not always cover the circumstances.
• Negotiation, facilitation, influencing and communication skills (written and verbal), to manage disparate views amongst stakeholders, including at a senior level.
• Ability to assess emerging issues and trends which may impact on the achievement of outcomes, including developing work plans, allocating work and monitoring progress and outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to actively engage in effective stakeholder management, including with regulated entities, on sensitive issues requiring conflict resolution within constrained time limits.
• A proven ability to seek out diverse perspectives to identify opportunities and improvements.
• In-depth understanding of aviation industry, civil aviation legislation, and relevant national and international aviation standards.

Mandatory qualifications, licenses and experience

• Detailed understanding of the development of regulatory policy in a highly technical environment.

Desirable qualifications, licenses and experience

• Detailed understanding of Australia’s Civil Aviation Act 1988, and relevant CASRs and CARs, guidance materials and other legislation, or similar aviation regulatory regime.
• Formal tertiary qualifications in a field relevant to the operation and/or assurance of new and emerging aviation technologies, or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of best practice domestic and international RPAS standards or other emerging technologies gained through industry and other experience.
• Experience appropriate to the role in a field relevant to the operation and/or assurance of new and emerging aviation technologies, or equivalent.
• Experience applying qualitative and quantitative analysis and safety risk management principles in an aviation or aerospace context.
• Project management experience or qualification/s.
• An Australian Class C driver’s licence.

Eligibility Requirements
Employment with CASA is subject to conditions prescribed within the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (the Act) and the CASA Enterprise Agreement. The following eligibility requirements apply to this position:

• At a minimum, prospective CASA employees must undergo pre-employment screening and must be willing to provide the required information to successfully undergo a police record check.
• The position’s occupant must be an Australian citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain the required level of security clearance as required.
• Undertake and pass a pre-employment alcohol and drug test as part of CASA’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Directive and Procedure.

About our Division
National Operations and Standards Division is responsible for the development and maintenance of the civil aviation safety regulatory scheme, associated guidance and supporting materials. This includes the consideration of policy initiatives and engaging with stakeholders on international standards and recommended practices and their associated documents. The range of responsibilities includes personnel licensing, flight operations, airworthiness, air navigation, airspace, aerodromes, and remotely piloted aircraft systems. The Division is also responsible for provision of regulatory services and surveillance, including aircraft certification and production and simulator certification.

Contact Officer for enquiries: Jaclyn Smith | ************@casa.gov.au | 02 6217 1***

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