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Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations)

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Flight Standards Service, Emerging Technologies Division, Evaluation Branch, AFS-700

Summary

Aviation Safety Inspector serving as an operations technical expert and advisor on assigned manufactured or modified Unmanned Aircraft, Advanced Air Mobility, Urban Air Mobility, Optionally Piloted Aircraft, and associated systems within the AFS-700 Division.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/08/2026 to 04/28/2026
Salary
$125,776 - $197,200 per year

Salary includes locality pay to be determined based upon location.

Pay scale & grade
FG 14
Location
3 vacancies in the following location:
May be filled in various FAA duty locations
3 vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Travel Required
50% or less - The job may require up to 50% travel.
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-26-0026-97890
Control number
864205900

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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Provides operations representation in all phases of developmental work involved during and prior to certification and subsequent to placing such unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft and associated systems into service. The work of this position has considerable impact on the level of safety for industry operation of these aircraft.

Operations consultant with respect to technical matters pertaining to airborne. Operational and performance requirements, equipment, maintenance, and standards used within area of responsibility. Reviews and evaluates the operational suitability of equipment used in assigned aircraft and associated systems. Participates in Type Certification Board in making decisions related to the operational suitability of aircraft produced by aircraft manufacturers. Serves as member on Flight Standards Boards (FSB) and Flight Operations Evaluation Boards (FOEB) evaluating and presenting Operational considerations/ impact or requirements. Evaluates the abilities of the unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft and associated processes, manuals, and documents to ensure they perform as expected.

Participates in the development and establishment of national and international standards, procedures and airworthiness criteria tailored especially to meet the requirements and conditions considered necessary to assure effectiveness of the design for assigned aircraft. Manages team efforts with respect to the development of operational criteria. Relates the assigned aircraft manufacturer's operational requirements for unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft and associated systems to the aviation industry with particular emphasis on assuring realistic, economically feasible, and technically practical programs which may be applied by the industry.

Establishes contacts at all levels in the FAA. Contacts involve industry representatives including pilots, operators and/or personnel in charge of flight-testing for aircraft manufacturers. Participates in industry and aviation meetings and represents the Flight Standards Service on assigned matters. Provides expert consultation in support of accident or incident investigations, analysis, and implementation of corrective actions related to unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft and associated systems.

Develops and implements special operations projects as required to accomplish program objectives. Provides technical assistance with respect to the initial development and approval of aircraft flight manuals.

Provides expert consultation in support of accident or incident investigations, analysis, and implementation of corrective actions related to unmanned aircraft, advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, and optionally piloted aircraft and associated systems.

FLIGHT PROGRAM

The ASI will participate in the FAA Flight Program and is therefore required to maintain qualifications 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. The ASI will evaluate 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).
  • Selectee will be required to report to an FAA Aviation Safety (AVS) Duty Location.

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
passengers in a variety of aircraft.
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

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.

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 providing oversight of designees. Please explain and provide examples.

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.

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

1. Valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate with single and multi-engine airplane and instrument airplane ratings. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in an aircraft.
2. Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a flight check to Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument rating;
3. Possession of Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating.
4. Minimum of 100 flight hours within the last 3 years.
5. Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours.
6. Possession of single and multi-engine land airplane ratings.
7. Not more than 2 flying accidents in the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved.
8. Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate.

Note - Recency is waived for applicants currently in the 1825 series.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
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 grade levels. Specialized experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Experience includes Mastery of, and skill in applying, laws and regulations to inspection, investigation, enforcement, and/or compliance work. Provide expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to agency management and other senior agents, officers, or inspectors on critical operations. Develop agencywide policies, procedures, and strategies. Knowledge of and extensive experience in General Aviation civil aircraft operations that includes familiarity with UAS Operations. Must be able to evaluate technical information and prepare technical investigative correspondence related to UAS operations.

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

This position will be filled within the AFS-700 Division.

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)and Technical 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.

Duty Location:

Selectee will be required to report to an FAA Aviation Safety (AVS) Duty Location.

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.

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

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

In-grade/downgrade application will be accepted.

This is a bargaining unit position, represented by the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (www.passnational.org).

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.

Federal Aviation Administration

At the FAA, the sky is not the limit—it is just the beginning. Exciting new opportunities are emerging in aviation and aerospace. Significant investments are advancing the research and development of autonomous vehicles, environmentally friendly electric aircraft, high-speed and long-endurance solar-powered aircraft, and new types of space vehicles. Success with these new technologies and vehicle types will introduce new ways to transport people and goods expanding aviation's footprint in transportation. People are our strength. We are a diverse workforce of over 44,000 located nationwide and spanning over 120 occupations to include air traffic control specialists, aviation safety inspectors, engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals. Join us in our mission to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

Agency contact information

alexis martinez
Phone
1 (847) 294-7156
Fax
1 (847) 294-7858
Email
alexis.d.martinez@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
AGL Regional HR Services Branch
2300 E. Devon Ave., Room 250
AHF-N310
Des Plaines, IL 60018
US

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