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Airport Certification and Safety Inspector

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Northwest Mountain Region, Airports Division, Safety and Standards Branch, ANM-620

Summary

This position serves as the Lead Airport Certification Safety Inspector (ACSI) responsible for 14 CFR Part 139 compliance for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Airports (ARP) Northwest Mountain Region.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 07/09/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 9, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$125,635 - $194,772 per year

The salary listed above includes locality for Des Moines, WA.

Pay scale & grade
FV J
Promotion potential
NA
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
75% or less - The job may require up to 75% travel.
Appointment type
Temporary - Not to Exceed 2 years, May be Made Permanent
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
Yes - This position is represented by NATCA: Regional ARP Except AEA.
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Announcement number
ANM-ARP-26-1528304-99312
Control number
874146200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent FAA employees within ANM Office of Airports (ARP) only.

Duties

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Performs multiple, varying and complex assignments under the minimal direction of a manager as the Lead Airport Certification Safety Inspector (ACSI). This position applies experience and a comprehensive technical knowledge to serve as a Regional primary point of contact in the area of airport certification and safety.

Advises airport management on new requirements and developments in the airport certification program.

Conducts periodic and surveillance inspections at Part 139 certified airports including medium to large hub airports to ensure compliance with standards for 14 CFR Part 139 in the areas of records, personnel, paved areas, unpaved areas, safety areas, marking signs, and lighting, snow and ice control, aircraft rescue and firefighting, handling and storing of hazardous substances and materials, traffic and wind direction indicators, airport emergency plan, self-inspection program, pedestrians and ground vehicles, obstructions, protection of NAVAIDS, public protection, wildlife hazard management, airport condition reporting, and identifying, marking and lighting construction and other unserviceable areas.

Reviews and approves Airport Certification Manuals and emergency plans required by regulation to ensure current and adequate airport operating procedures.

Recommends approval or denial of applications for Airport Operating Certificates (AOC).

Investigates known or alleged violations of the regulations in accordance with current agency directives.

Coordinates directly with management to initiate revocation or suspension of AOC in accordance with agency guidelines.

Coordinates recommended exemption requests with regional Division Manager and FAA Headquarters.

Conducts investigations of vehicle/pedestrian deviations at airports and evaluate results for closure or enforcement (administrative or legal).

Conducts reviews of Construction Safety Phasing Plans and conducts inspections of airports to ensure operational safety during construction meets current standards.

Reviews and approves wildlife hazard assessments and wildlife hazard management plans at Part 139 airports and works closely with the airports, wildlife biologists, other technical experts and stakeholders to reduce hazardous wildlife and attractants on and in the vicinity of airports.

Investigates potential regulatory violations and initiates administrative or legal enforcement actions, as appropriate. Works cooperatively with FAA management and legal counsel in processing legal enforcement cases.

Collaborates with Regional and Local Runway Safety Action Teams by providing 14 CFR Part 139 expertise and assisting in the development of airport runway safety action plans.

In coordination with management ensures the regional Airport Certification Program is carried out in accordance with the Airport Certification Program Handbook, and the FAA¿s Compliance and Enforcement Program.

Reviews and verifies individual airport layout plans, obstruction charts, safety equipment descriptions, construction drawings and documents related to certification requirements.

Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for addressing issues, but allow considerable discretion to develop new and innovative approaches. Draws on experience to solve unusual problems and may create new solutions and policy interpretations as the situation requires. Provides policy guidance and instruction to others, both internally and externally.

Provides guidance to lower-level staff on how to solve difficult technical issues. Resolves all but unique technical problems without the intervention of management or technical support. Coordinates the efforts of project teams, which may include contractors and/or vendors, during network upgrades. Work is reviewed rarely, typically though status reports and at project completion, to ensure technical compliance and alignment with the requirements of the project or other work activity.

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).
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
  • Please review the Additional Information Section.
  • Only current Office of Airports (ARP) employees within Northwest Mountain Region will be considered.
  • A valid drivers license is required.

Qualifications

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. This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE IS DEFINED AS:

  • Experience with conducting inspections at airports to ensure operational safety and/or compliance with FAA standards and regulations.
  • Experience with reviewing and approving Airport Certification Manuals and emergency plans required by regulation to ensure current and adequate airport operating procedures.
  • Experience in reviewing and verifying individual airport layout plans, obstruction charts, safety equipment descriptions, construction drawings and documents related to certification requirements.
  • Experience in conducting reviews and approvals of wildlife hazard assessments and wildlife hazard management plans.
  • Experience with investigating potential regulatory violations and initiating administrative or legal enforcement actions, as appropriate.

Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.

Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position. 

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

**All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. ** 

Work Environment: This position requires up to 60% travel. A valid driver's license is required.

Physical Requirement: Candidates must successfully complete a Basic Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting
(ARFF) Training Course which places the candidate in a strenuous physical heat-controlled environment with
fire protection suits and self-contained breathing apparatus that could be heavy and awkward.

Level 5 (Moderate Risk) position requires favorable adjudication of a Minimum Background Investigation (MBI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.

Current FAA employee: You MUST submit a copy of your most recent (non-award) SF-50 including Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 so it can be used to verify your position title, series, grade, tenure, and organization of record by the closing date of the announcement. Failure to provide the required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in non-consideration for this position.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

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 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.

This position may require the inspector to drive significant distances (100-300 miles) and requires the inspector
to walk considerable distances to inspect airfield pavement, safety areas, lighting, markings, signage, and
fueling systems. Frequently this requires working around the hazards of moving aircraft (taxiing, landing, and
takeoff) and ground vehicles. The candidate may also be required to lift and/or carry objects of about 20 to 50
pounds, as well as climb ladders and/or work in unusual environmental/weather conditions.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each Technical Requirement or Leadership and Management Dimension in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your 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.

All applicants are encouraged to provide NARRATIVES for each "Managerial Selection Factors" and addressed with description and/or level/percentage of experience. Please include specific examples and details which illustrate your knowledge, skills, and abilities. Please include applicable date ranges.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Leadership and Management Dimensions listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or priority grouping and referred to the selecting official for consideration.

This is a temporary assignment, NTE-2 years; however, it may be extended, terminated at any time at management's discretion or made permanent without further consideration.

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

Heather A Noel
Phone
1 (206) 231-4044
Fax
1 (206) 231-4150
Email
heather.a.noel@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
ANM Regional HR Services Branch
2200 S. 216th St.
AHF-N210
Des Moines, WA 98198
US

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