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Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness)

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Aviation Safety (AVS) / Flight Standards Service, Air Carrier Safety Assurance, PHX CMO

Summary

The Partial Program Manager serves as a full assistant to a Principal Maintenance or Avionics Inspector performing the full range of certification, surveillance, inspection duties for assigned air carriers, air operators, air agencies, airmen, and designees. Assists in establishment of work programs for inspection and surveillance.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 06/25/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 25, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—As determined by Agency policy. This is not a 100% telework or remote position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$107,446 - $139,684 per year

Salary above includes base pay only. Locality will be added upon assigned duty station.

Pay scale & grade
FG 14
Promotion potential
14
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - The job may require up to 25% travel.
Appointment type
Temporary - 2 years can be made permanent.
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
Yes - This position is represented by PASS: Flight Standards Services.
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Announcement number
ACE-AFS-26-DLS-98709
Control number
871667000

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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Under the general direction of the Principal Inspector (Maintenance or Avionics) or Supervisory

Principal Inspector (Maintenance or Avionics) accomplishes the following duties:

A. Technical Administration

On a continuing basis, ensures assigned organizations are properly and adequately organized, staffed and equipped; establishes and conducts adequate training programs; maintains record keeping systems; and facilities and ensures procedures meet all regulatory requirements. 

Chairs joint Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and industry meetings. Maintains regular contact esolved.

with organizations assigned and coordinates with top management officials. Requires or directs correction of any deficiencies/discrepancies and refuses or withdraws approval if they cannot be Develops avionics program requirements through participation on maintenance review boards.

Coordinates minimum equipment list (MEL) approvals with the principal operations inspector. Takes enforcement action in instances of noncompliance with the MEL. Responsible for conducting enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition. Performs or supervises the emergency suspension of certificates or cancellation of operations specifications. Conducts or directs the reexamination of certificated airmen or recertification of an operator or agency.

Conducts investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries, and aircraft incidents and accidents. Provides verbal and/or written technical assistance to legal counsel, testifies at court trials and formal hearings, and gives dispositions.

Coordinates with geographic inspectors for the accomplishment of non-routine air carrier surveillance

B. Certification

Responsible for initial and ongoing certification of air carriers, aircraft, airmen, and air agencies. Makes recommendations on the appointment of designees.

Evaluates requests to operate under conditions not previously specified in the airworthiness portion of the operations specifications and approves/disapproves requests providing additional conditions and limitations as needed.

Provides guidance to the assigned air carrier in the development of required maintenance manuals and record keeping systems. Reviews and determines adequacy of manuals associated with the air carrier¿s airworthiness programs and revisions. Ensures manuals and revisions comply with regulatory requirements, prescribe safe practices, and furnish clear and specific instructions governing airworthiness programs. Approves operations specifications and amendments.

Determines if the maintenance facilities being established or contract arrangements entered into by air carrier for the purpose of overhaul work, major repairs, alterations, and other maintenance are satisfactory. Reviews changes and negotiates with air carrier management to resolve problems.

Determines if overhaul and inspection time limitations warrant revision.

Evaluates an operators proposed reliability programs for compliance with national policies. Advises operator of deficiencies and required changes. Approves/disapproves reliability programs.

Determines if the air carriers training program meets the requirements of 14 CFR, is compatible with the airworthiness program, is properly organized and effectively conducted, and results in trained and competent personnel.

Directs or participates in flight evaluations to determine compliance with 14 CFR. Recommends changes that will be required prior to approval.

C. Surveillance

Under guidance of the Principal Inspector, directs the inspection and surveillance of the air carriers continuous airworthiness program in regard to assigned aircraft fleet assignment(s). Monitors all phases of the air carriers airworthiness operation, including the maintenance, engineering, quality control, production control, training, and reliability programs.

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/AVS facility.

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, 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.

When the predominant work involves air carrier avionics applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector positions must meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Experience involving the avionics 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 avionics 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 avionics and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness.
  4. Aircraft avionics work experience within the last 3 years.
  5. FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings.

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 the FV-I, FG/GS-13 level. 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 may include: Avionics experience on 14 CFR part 121 aircraft and associated components; evaluates and decides upon proposals to change the authorized programs of organizations; monitors, plans or conducts inspection programs; assures that assigned organizations 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, responsible for the conduct of enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition.

For more information regarding the minimum eligibility requirements for Aviation Safety Inspector's please visit the following website: .https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs1800/1825.htm

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

NOTE: Recency of specialized experience is waived for current FAA employees in the FG-1825 series.

You must apply on-line to receive consideration for this position.

Faxed or emailed applications/resumes will not be accepted.

Work history must state job titles including specialty, series and grade level held. No references will be made from your Personnel File, so information must be current and up to date.

To assist in determining qualification requirements, applicants transferring between specialties at the same grade level are strongly encouraged to complete the appropriate Qualifications Assessment Tool (QAT) check sheet and upload it along with their resume. Check sheets are contained in Order 3410.26, Flight Standards Service Air Carrier and General Aviation Qualifications Assessment Tool for AFS Aviation Safety Inspectors. This order is located at: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/3410.26.pdf .

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.

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

DEVIN SLIMMER
Phone
1 (816) 329-2593
Fax
1 (816) 329-2656
Email
devin.l.slimmer@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
ACE Regional HR Services Division
901 Locust Street, Room 402
AHF-C100
Kansas City, MO 64106
US

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