Aerodromes Expert / Ground Handling Expert

Job Overview

As Aerodromes Expert you will lead standardisation inspections as standardisation team leader, evaluate regulatory compliance, identify deficiencies, and oversee Member State safety performance per Regulation (EU) 139/2014 and 628/2013.

As Ground Handling Expert you will lead regulatory developments, support implementation and develop new standardisation activities in the domain of ground handling.

General Accountabilities

• Provide domain expertise on aviation safety and regulatory compliance
• Monitor technological developments and emerging trends in the domain
• Prepare technical reports and documentation
• Represent EASA at events and international fora.
• Provide implementation feedback and expert input for relevant EASA activities (e.g. standardisation, rulemaking, flexibility provisions and safety risk management

Specific Accountabilities

As Aerodromes Expert you will:

• Lead standardisation teams and act as the team’s spokesperson vis-à-vis Member States.*
• Evaluate Member States’ regulatory compliance, identifying deficiencies, reporting, and documenting progress on corrective actions.
• Prepare, conduct, report, and follow-up standardisation inspections in accordance with the relevant procedures and work instructions.

As Ground Handling Expert you will:

• Provide expert advice on ground handling to industry and Member State stakeholders.
• Lead the development and implementation of standardisation activities in the domain of ground handling to monitor continuously how Member States discharge their safety oversight obligations in accordance with the relevant procedures and work instructions.
• Manage rulemaking or implementation support tasks stipulated in the European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS) in line with the applicable EASA procedures and related work instructions.

*Note: frequent travel in EASA Member States is required to perform standardisation activities.

Admission Criteria

The following constitute eligibility and essential criteria for the role and for being admitted to the selection process. Candidates not fulfilling these criteria by the deadline for applications, will be excluded from the selection:

• Have a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the European Union (at least level C1) and a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the EU to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties (at least level B2). One of the required languages shall be English*.
• Be a national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
• Completed university studies of at least three (3) years attested by a diploma in relevant subjects in scope of the profile.
• After obtaining the university degree, at least two (2) years of professional experience acquired in relevant areas of aerodromes or ground handling activities substantiated with examples of tasks related to the relevant domain.

The following constitute advantageous criteria for the role. Candidates not fulfilling these criteria will not be excluded from the selection process:

• Experience in writing technical documents and reports
• For candidates applying as Aerdromes Expert: applied knowledge of the aerodrome operational environment including aerodrome equipment, auditing techniques and working with national competent authorities or in safety oversight within these authorities or with international aviation organisations.
• For candidates applying as Ground Handling Expert: applied knowledge of the ground handling operational environment, auditing techniques, industry standards related to ground handling or oversight of ground handling.

* English oral and written skills will be assessed throughout the assessment phase. Further language assessment may be organised, where necessary, to verify compliance with the requirement to demonstrate knowledge of two EU languages.

This vacancy is open as well to Temporary Agents (2f) employed at EASA, in the grade bracket AD5-AD9

Selection Criteria

The selection process is based on the assessment of the Professional Skills and Behavioural Competences listed below. While these are considered critical to perform the role effectively, candidates who do not meet all criteria may still be considered.

Behavioural Competences for both roles

Professional Skills for Aerodromes Expert

Professional Skills for Groundhandling Expert

Mandatory Pre-Employment Requirements

Prior to recruitment, you will be requested to demonstrate that you:

• Are entitled to the full rights as a citizen
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws on military service
• Meet the character requirements for the duties involved (you will be asked to provide a police certificate confirming the absence of any criminal record)
• Are physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post (you will be asked to undergo a medical examination in a centre indicated by EASA)

Conditions of employment

Contract: 5 years contract as Temporary Agent 2 (f) with possibility of extension
Working hours: 40 hrs per week (on a full-time working pattern). Flexible working arrangements
Salary: Step in grade upon recruitment based on years of work experience. Additional allowances depending on personal situation
Location: Cologne, Germany (relocation is required)