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Director, Office of Safety Standards

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Aviation Safety

Summary

The Flight Standards Service mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world by setting standards, providing certification, and conducting oversight of airmen, air operators, air agencies, and designees. We also promote the safety of flight of civil aircraft and air commerce by conducting certification, inspection, surveillance, investigation, and enforcement; establishing regulations; and managing the system for registration of civil aircraft and airmen records.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/15/2026 to 05/28/2026
Salary
$153,700 - $216,400 per year

Base salary is set within the range based on qualifications and experience. Applicable locality pay will be added for a total salary up to $228,000

Pay scale & grade
EV 02
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
FAA Location Negotiable Upon Request - See Additional Info
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted according to agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - The job may require up to 25% travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes— - Fully-Paid PCS - Permanent Change of Station - In accordance with applicable FAA Travel regulations, full relocation will be paid (actual expenses). Relocation expenses paid are subject to applicable taxes.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Senior Executive
Promotion potential
NA
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
EXE-AVS-26-2-98720
Control number
869469500

Duties

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The Director, Office of Safety Standards, serves as a key executive leader within Aviation Safety's Flight Standards Service with responsibility for establishing and overseeing standards, policy, and guidance governing aircraft operations, maintenance, alterations, designee programs, flight technologies, safety promotion, and international operations. In the discharge of these duties and responsibilities, the Director exercises executive leadership and program direction over eight Flight Standards divisions. The Director administers a budget of approximately $238M and provides executive direction and oversight to over 1,300 employees, including direct supervision of two executives and 8 L-bands. 

Specific responsibilities include:

  • Oversees aviation safety programs, policies, and standards governing air carrier and air taxi operations, aircraft evaluation and operational suitability, and operational procedures to ensure compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, safety standards, and national operational objectives.
  • Provides executive oversight of international aviation agreements, foreign air carrier and foreign repair station activities, and coordination with international civil aviation authorities to promote global aviation safety harmonization and regulatory compliance.
  • Directs policy and standards development associated with airspace requirements, flight technologies, and operational procedures supporting safe and efficient use of the NAS.
  • Provides executive leadership in identifying emerging operational risks, evaluating safety data and trends, and implementing standards and policies that promote continuous improvement in aviation safety and operational effectiveness.
  • Creates and maintains a professional network of supporting leaders by collaborating extensively with senior FAA executives, government agencies, industry representatives, and international aviation partners to advance aviation safety objectives, support organizational transformation initiatives, and promote a proactive, data-driven safety culture throughout the National Airspace System.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
  • You will be required to serve a one-year FAA Executive System (FAAES) probationary period unless you have previously completed a probationary period in either the FAAES or the Senior Executive Service (SES).
  • You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications of this position, you must clearly articulate and describe within your two (2) page resume evidence that you possess the Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs) and Mandatory Technical Requirements (TRs) related to this position. Your resume should include examples of experience and accomplishments applicable to the qualifications. Applicants who do not possess these criteria are ineligible for further consideration.

Please do not submit separate documents addressing the Technical Requirements (TRs) and Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs), only your two (2) page resume will be accepted and considered.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS (TRs):

  • TR 1: Demonstrated leadership experience directing, controlling, and ensuring the adequacy of aviation safety goals, change initiatives, and priorities in a large, complex organization.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP DIMENSIONS (ELDs)

  • ELD 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This ELD requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
  • ELD 2: Driving Efficiency -This ELD involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
  • ELD 3: Merit and Competence - This ELD involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
  • ELD 4: Leading People - This ELD involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
  • ELD 5: Achieving Results - This ELD involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Note: Applicants who are current members of the FAA Executive System (FAAES), Career Senior Executive Service (SES), individuals certified through successful completion of an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or those with Career SES reinstatement eligibility are not required to address the Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs). Such applicants must provide documentation verifying eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the FAAES (e.g., SF-50, or certification from OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB).

Education

An education requirement has not been established for this occupational series.

Preview job questionnaire

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

Additional information

Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
Veterans preference does not apply to the FAA Executive System.

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 is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx)Designated or Random Drug Testing required.

The Hiring Official and selectee will negotiate the duty location (within the Continental U.S. only).

PCS entitlements will be paid if the agency requires relocation.

This is not a bargaining unit position.

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.



Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you possess the Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs) and Mandatory Technical Requirements (TRs) listed above, your application package may be further evaluated by an Executive Rating Panel. Additionally, Hiring Managers may choose to interview highly qualified candidates via one or more interviews.

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

Executive Resources
Phone
1 (609) 485-9932
Fax
1 (202) 267-5748
Email
shara.m.demarco@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
Executive Resources Division
800 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 523
AHR-200
Washington, DC 20591
US

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Learn more about what it's like to work at Federal Aviation Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.faa.gov/jobs

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