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Aviation Safety Inspector, Principal Oversight Inspector

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Aviation Safety, Flight Standards Service, Air Carrier Safety Assurance (AFC) Great Atlantic CMO

Summary

The incumbent of this position is assigned to the Flight Standards Service. The incumbent is responsible for applying expert knowledge of and experience with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) field personnel and the public governing all matters to air carrier operations safety issues.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/02/2026 to 02/23/2026
Salary
$107,446 to - $139,684 per year

Salary above is basic pay. Locality rate added based on location.

Pay scale & grade
FG 14
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Miami, FL
Belleville, MI
Charlotte, NC
Greensboro, NC
Telework eligible
Yes—As determined by Agency policy. This is not a 100% telework or remote position. Situational telework may be available based on the needs of the office.
Travel Required
25% or less - The job may require up to 25% travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes - This position is represented by PASS: Flight Standards Services.
Announcement number
ACE-AFS-26-DLS-97140
Control number
856047600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent FAA employees, FAA-Wide

Duties

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The Principal Operations Inspector (POI) receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The POI, mostly independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work. The POI provides policy assistance to divisional field level ASIs on difficult or complex policy inquiries. The work is normally accepted without change. Completed work may be reviewed for adherence to FAA policy and for assurance that project requirements have been fulfilled.

Some FG-14 assignments involve office, and/or division responsibility for application of expert knowledge of flight operations for an advanced multiengine turboprop and/or turbojet aircraft. Such employees are concerned with all aspects of the operational capabilities and limitations of the aircraft. ASIs at the FG-14 level establish technical procedures and performance indexes and review complete flight operation or maintenance programs for major air carriers who are leaders in the aviation industry, or who have problems of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations. Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity and the organizations monitored are major factors in the industry.

The following assignments are illustrative:
1.As an expert on a particular type of sophisticated multiengine turbojet aircraft:
-- Advises other inspectors of major changes in the operation of the aircraft;
-- Standardizes procedures and judgments used by inspectors to evaluate the operation of the aircraft;
-- Evaluates new training methods and equipment (e.g., simulators) for initial certification;
-- Serves on national boards that determine the minimum equipment necessary to operate a particular type of aircraft safely; and
-- Serves on boards that evaluate incidents, accidents, complaints, and other serious problems relating to the aircraft. Develops plans to resolve problems.

2.As the principal representative in regulatory surveillance of air carrier activities, exercises certificate authority over a major air carrier with very extensive and complex operations. Analyzes flight operations involving large fleets of turbojet aircraft engaged in large-scale passenger and freight service. This level includes responsibility for nationally and internationally prominent carriers who operate the largest, most advanced fleets of turbojet aircraft in the industry. (By comparison, FG-13 employees exercise certificate authority over less complex air carriers or perform major portions of the certification, inspection, and surveillance for major carriers under the direction of FG-14 inspectors.)

FG-14 employees develop and evaluate flight operations programs for organizations which utilize the newest, most complex aircraft, systems, and equipment. Because of organizational complexity or the advanced technology incorporated in the aircraft, systems, and equipment, employees must exercise originality to resolve unique problems. They frequently rely on engineers and designers for specific technical guidance although much of their work is carried out under very broad policy guidelines. Supervisors give FG-14 employees a wide leeway for independent action. Other inspectors seek their advice on problems relating to aircraft and their operation. Because of the precedent-setting nature or substantial effect on the aviation industry or public safety, their decisions may be reviewed and approved at a higher policy- setting level.

The POI plans and directs the use of time and resources to accomplish organizational objectives. He or she defines, organizes, and uses resources to accomplish work activities within established schedules, analyzes program requirements and accomplishments, and makes or directs adjustments as necessary to address organizational needs.

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).
  • Selectee will be required to report to an AVS/FAA Flight Standards Facility

Qualifications

1.Knowledge Required for the Position Level 1 - 8

Mastery of, and skill in applying, laws and regulations to inspection, investigation, enforcement, and/or compliance work. Work at this level involves developing new techniques, legal processes and approaches, and requires mastery of advanced principles and concepts of a field sufficient to:

¿develop agency wide policies, procedures, and strategies;
¿provide expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to agency management and other senior agents, officers, or inspectors on critical operations;
¿make recommendations which change the interpretation of laws, lead to new case law decisions, or influence the development and modification of significant policies or programs;
¿plan the requirements for, set up, and manage large-scale and/or multi-jurisdictional investigations where methods are subject to changing legal admissibility;
¿collect and analyze operational and strategic intelligence from wide-ranging sources including Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, military departments, foreign governments, financial institutions, and technology companies;
¿develop new approaches in response to identified weaknesses and vulnerabilities of ongoing operations; or
¿solve problems demanding technologically advanced methods and innovative approaches.

2.Supervisory Controls Level 2 - 5

How Work Is Assigned – The supervisor provides general administrative direction for assignments in terms of broad program objectives and resources of the agency.
Employee Responsibility – The employee:

¿is responsible for a significant program, project, or investigation;
¿independently plans, organizes, and carries out the work to be done; and
¿analyzes objectives or interprets policy promulgated by senior authorities and determines their effect onthe agency’s program.

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

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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