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Aviation Safety Inspector

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Flight Standards Service, Aircraft Maintenance Division, Commercial Aviation Branch, AFS-330

Summary

This position is in the Aircraft Maintenance Division, Commercial Aviation Branch, AFS-330.

Responsible for applying expert knowledge of and experience with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulation (14 CFR) 121 or 125 for the development and implementation of standards governing all matters related to airworthiness issues.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/17/2025 to 01/06/2026
Salary
$124,531 to - $195,200 per year

Salary includes locality pay to be determined based upon location

Pay scale & grade
FG 14
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
FAA Flight Standards Duty Locations Nationwide
2 vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - The job may require travel from time-to-time, but not on a regular basis. The travel may be for training or other work-related duties.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
NA
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes - This position is represented by PASS: Flight Standards Services.
Announcement number
AGL-AFX-26-0002-96520
Control number
852596800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent AVS and AMA-200 Line of Business employees

Duties

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Serves as Flight Standards technical expert with responsibility for the planning, development, standardization, evaluation and effectiveness of assigned airworthiness programs nationwide.

Serves an Aviation Safety Inspector responsible for reviewing and evaluating, on a continuing basis, established rules and regulations related to assigned technical programs to assure that they have kept pace with the needs to which they were directed and that they are still reasonable, necessary, and adequate. Evaluates regulatory petitions or proposal from within or outside the agency, and recommends the development of new or amended rules, regulations, or other regulatory material, and the discontinuance of rules and regulations no longer considered necessary.

Responsible for the preparation of Federal Register notices regarding assigned technical programs for original petitions for exemptions and analysis of technical input from other employees within Flight Standards. Incumbent coordinates with other Aviation Safety and Flight Standards Organizations to develop a complete analysis and appropriate response. Since exemptions are rulemaking documents, this review may include coordination with the Office of General Counsel so that the denial, grant or disposition of petition for rulemaking will withstand a legal challenge. Technical input must be reviewed for completeness and ensure it responds to all aspects of an exemption petition. Policy Development and

Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of division policy in assigned programs areas to include evaluation and analysis. Develops policies, including advisory circulars, inspector guidelines, and training standards related to certification, inspection, surveillance and operation of assigned program areas. Assures effective coordination of assigned programs and activities with Safety Assurance offices, other organizational segments of the Division, the Agency and organizations outside of the agency.

Participates in national and international working groups and panels with other organization elements of the agency, or other government agencies, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and industry representatives for the purpose of resolving complex and controversial problems having a direct influence on the safety of assigned technical programs operations, facilities, and equipment. Develops operational policies, including advisory circulars, inspector guidelines, and training standards, and other applicable standards in support of assigned programs. Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of division policy in assigned program areas.

May represent the agency as a technical trainer/instructor delivering formal training for assigned technical programs.

Prepares, reviews, and drafts inputs on a variety of correspondence to other organizations within Flight Standards, aviation industry, other governmental agencies,

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).

Qualifications

General Requirements for All Positions:

1. Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years;
2. Valid State driver's license;
3. Fluency in the English language;
4. No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and
5. High school diploma or equivalent.

Medical Requirements for All Positions:

Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following requirements:

1. Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted);
2.Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and
3. Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft.

In addition, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of the aircraft must:

1. Possess a valid second – class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations; and
2. Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.

Applicants not requiring valid second-class medical certificates who are tentatively selected will be required to:

1. Provide documentation from a board-certified physician certifying that they meet the minimal medical requirements; or
2. Individuals who do not meet the minimum medical requirements but who are otherwise qualified will receive an individualized assessment to determine whether they can perform the essential functions of the position.

Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness)

When the predominant work involves air carrier avionics, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

1. Aircraft avionics experience involving the maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of installed avionics systems on aircraft.
2. Avionics maintenance experience on aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight.
3. Aircraft avionics work experience (which could include supervision or auditing) in a repair station; air carrier repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency within the last 3 years.

When the predominant work involves general aviation avionics, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

1. Aircraft avionics experience involving the maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of installed avionics systems on aircraft.
2. Aircraft avionics work experience (which could include supervision or auditing) in a repair station; air carrier repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency within the last 3 years.

When the predominant work involves air carrier maintenance, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

1. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and systems of multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight maintained under an airworthiness maintenance and inspection program.
2. Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency.
3. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness.
4. Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years.
5. FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings.

When the predominant work involves general aviation maintenance, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

1. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness.
2. Maintenance experience with aircraft 12,500 pounds or less maximum certificated takeoff weight.
3. Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state or Federal governmental agency.
4. Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years.
5. FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings.

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I, FG/GS-13. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Experience includes extensive participation in certification, inspection, and surveillance as it related to Air Carrier Avionics and Maintenance. Experience developing and interpreting FAA regulations, policy and guidance directly related to the operation, maintenance, inspection, alteration or repair of aircraft and aircraft systems. Specific examples are Regulations, Advisory Circulars, Orders, Policy Memorandums, Notices, Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFO), Legal Interpretations, Policy Interpretations that have broad, national or international application.

In addition to the above, this vacancy has a Quality Ranking Factor, listed below. Applicants who meet this factor will be placed in a Well Qualified category. This factor is also listed under the Other Factors section.

Experience in the Office of Safety Standards and/or Safety Assurance working cross-organizational policy issues as a team lead or subject matter expert that resulted in the publication of Regulations, Advisory Circulars, Orders, Policy Memorandums, Notices, Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFO), Legal Interpretations, Policy Interpretations, etc. that have broad, national or international application. The applicant must provide specifics to support this factor.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Preview job questionnaire

Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.

The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements

As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate.

How You Will Be Evaluated for Internal Announcements:

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA); Demonstrated Abilities; Leadership and Management Dimensions; or Other Factors listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Incomplete Applications:

Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.

Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA.

In-grade/downgrade applications will be accepted.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.



IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

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