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Aviation Safety Inspector (Air Carrier Operations)

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA, Flight Standards Services, Office of Air Carrier Safety Assurance, SkyWest CMO

Summary

The Geographic Program Inspector is responsible for the performance of assigned technical administration, surveillance, and certification duties of air carriers/air operators within a geographical area. The incumbent is responsible for applying knowledge of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for FAA field personnel and the public governing all matters related to Air Carrier Operations safety issues.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/17/2025 to 01/06/2026
Salary
$90,025 to - $117,034 per year

The salary shown reflects the basic pay only. Locality pay will be added for the respective location.

Pay scale & grade
FG 13
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Phoenix, AZ
Denver, CO
Salt Lake City, UT
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
AEA-AFS-26-DYM-96708
Control number
852618200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to AVS and AMA Employees Only

Duties

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Responsible for the geographic operations program for the office. Assures, on a continuing basis, that the
operators within their jurisdiction are properly and adequately organized, staffed and equipped; have and
conduct an adequate training program, including an acceptable record keeping system; and have facilities
and procedures that meet all regulatory requirements. Regularly visits the air carrier's/air operator's
stations and other offices to maintain contact with their local top management officials and coordinates
with the principal inspector for correction of any deficiencies or discrepancies.

Reviews manuals and determines the adequacy of operations manuals for compliance with 14 CFR.
Makes recommendations to the principal inspector for amendments to previously approved manuals to
accomplish the following: correct any conflict with regulatory requirements; eliminate unsafe practices;
and/or improve the specificity of instruction.

Monitors all surveillance phases of the operations on behalf of the Principal Inspector including the
following: training programs and records; base and station facilities; and enroute operations (including
routes, areas, and/or airports). Evaluates trends which may indicate deterioration in the safety of operations and then personally, or through assistance of other inspectors, coordinates with the Principal Inspector, and suggests changes required to correct such trends.

Participates in the FAA flight program to maintain qualification and currency requirements applicable to
operations inspectors, for the purpose of supporting the FAA in a variety of flight-related functions to
include training and evaluation of designated pilot examiners. Evaluates tasks contained in the FAA
practical test standards and airman certification standards by participating as pilot in command or as a
crewmember. The inspector is required to maintain an FAA second class medical.

Performs other duties as assigned.

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).
  • Ingrade/downgrade applications will be accepted.

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: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, and must meet all of the following requirements:

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

  1. Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency (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 (Air Carrier Operations):

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

  1. At least 1 year of pilot experience in multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight;
  2. Not more than 2 flying accidents during the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved;
  3. Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a simulator check to Airline Transport Pilot Standard.
  4. Minimum 100 flight hours during the last 3 years;
  5. Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating (Department of Navy positions require pilot experience as demonstrated by previous ATP level performance in large multi-engine airplanes and helicopters);
  6. Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate (For positions within the Department of Navy, applicants must also be physically qualified to ride as an observer aboard squadron aircraft. In addition, must also meet physical requirements to travel and lift heavy objects while performing mishap investigations); and
  7. Minimum 1,500 total flight hours.

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-H, FG/GS-12. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of specialized experience include: inspection, surveillance, and monitoring of air carriers through all phases of operations, including training programs and records; provide guidance in the development of required operations manuals and record keeping systems; analyze reports to ensure compliance with operations programs; prepares final reports and recommendations on disposition and enforcement activities for FAR Part 121 air carriers/air operators.

The recency of specialized experience is waived for current FAA employees in the 1825 series.

Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history.

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.

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

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

Selectee will be required to report to an FAA Flight Standards Duty Location which may be discussed at selection. This is not a remote position; position is telework eligible in accordance with Agency Policy.

Applicants must apply on-line to receive consideration for this vacancy announcement. Faxed, mailed or e-mailed applications cannot be accepted. If you need to submit additional documents to supplement your on-line application, e.g. transcripts, SF-50, or veterans' documentation, you may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS.

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 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 choose 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. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resources Specialist as appropriate.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) 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.

Interviews: If the agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed.

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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