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Aviation Safety Inspector

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA/ATO, Flight Program Operations, Flight Program Compliance, Technical Publications Group,AJF-4300

Summary

This position is located in Flight Program Operations.  Incumbent will serve as a Senior Technical Advisor responsible for development, implementation, and administration of policy and regulatory analysis or other studies that involve the interaction of governmental policy and operations that impact the utilization of Flight Program Operations resources. Provides strategic direction and advice on operational risk that may impact technical and non-technical aspects of Flight Program Operations.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/20/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 20, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes— - Fixed Rate PCS - Permanent Change of Station (Current Federal Employee) - In accordance with applicable FAA Travel regulations, a fixed relocation payment of $27,000 will be paid. Relocation expenses paid are subject to applicable taxes.
Salary
$95,489 - $148,037 per year

Salary does not include locality pay. Locality will be determined at selection.

Pay scale & grade
FV J
Promotion potential
No
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - The job may require travel from time-to-time, but not on a regular basis. The travel may be for training or other work-related duties.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Announcement number
AAC-ATO-26-AJF4300-99537
Control number
876316100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent FAA employees.

Duties

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Performs assignments that involve providing leadership to others in applying and providing authoritative technical expertise regarding aviation programs, policies, systems and special projects. Typical assignments include developing policies and guidance, serving as a primary technical specialist or as a technical trainer/ instructor.  Work contributes to the objectives of Flight Program Operations, the system-wide efficiency and effectiveness of domestic or international civil aviation inspection programs, and the safety of civil aviation. 

Formulates, defines, develops and conducts or oversee studies, evaluates results and provide recommendations for sufficiency of data, acceptability of recommendation, and impact upon current and proposed operations. Maintains a high level of awareness of current Flight Program Operations' functions and responsibilities including technical programs and activities. Will have access to confidential matters, information and decisions that potentially impact employees and the agency. Position is excluded from bargaining unit coverage as the incumbent will be called upon to gather statistical data and/or create and generate reports, and participate in analysis that would affect and/or influence managerial policy that impacts bargaining unit actions.

Provide administrative direction in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The inspector independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work. The inspector interprets policy and provides guidance to lower level inspectors on difficult or complex policy interpretations. Work is considered technically authoritative and is normally accepted without change. Completed work may be reviewed for adherence to FAA policy and for assurance that project requirements have been fulfilled.

Applies a comprehensive knowledge in the development, administration, and enforcement of regulations and standards as they apply to Aviation Safety. Has broad knowledge of Flight Program Operations' mission and goals.

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.

Contacts are internal and external to the agency. Often represents the agency as a senior point of contact for policy development, inspection activities, or as a technical trainer/instructor delivering formal training. Contacts vary significantly depending on the purpose of the contacts, the level of authority required to resolve issues, and the nature of the technical problem at hand. Typical contacts involve dealings with members of senior management staffs, representatives of professional organizations, staff members of industry groups, representatives of other government agencies, and representatives of other civil aviation authorities.

Is expected to follow established laws, orders, policies, and regulations that provide general guidance for completing work objectives, but is allowed considerable discretion to develop new or innovative approaches. Uses resourcefulness, initiative, and judgment based on experience to develop and implement evaluation procedures to address problems where precedents are not applicable. Methods, practices, or decisions may be used as guidance in similar problem areas.

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).
  • Successful completion of security investigation may be required.
  • A one-year probationary period may be required.
  • Please review Required Documents & Additional Information.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position at the FV-J level, applicants must possess 52 weeks of specialized experience at the FV-I (FG/GS-13) level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. 

Specialized experience includes: 

  • Experience in analyzing and summarizing a variety of technical, regulatory and policy documents as they pertain to the enforcement of regulations and standards of aviation safety and flight inspection. 

Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history. 

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

Education

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 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities section, 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.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) or Other 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.

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

1)  Applicants must apply online to receive consideration for this vacancy announcement. Faxed, mailed, or emailed applications cannot be accepted.

2)  Some, all or none of the applicants may be interviewed.

3)  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.

4)  This Aviation Safety Inspector position is a non-flying position.

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.



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

Laura G. Whitlock
Phone
1 (404) 305-5336
Fax
1 (405) 954-3003
Email
Laura.G.Whitlock@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
AAC Regional HR Services Branch
6500 S. Macarthur Blvd, HQ Room 155
AHF-S210
Oklahoma City, OK 73169
US

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