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Aviation Safety Inspector

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Flight Standards Service, Safety Mgt, Analytics and Systems Integration Division AFS-900
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Aviation Safety Inspector (Maintenance) position is assigned to the Safety Management, Analytics and Systems Integration Division, AFS-900, and provides global expertise regarding regulatory oversight on a variety of air carrier and general aviation aircraft types.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/02/2025 to 07/22/2025
Salary
$124,531 to - $195,200 per year

Salary includes locality pay to be determined based upon location

Pay scale & grade
FG 14
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
May be filled in various FAA duty locations
2 vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
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.
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-25-0037-95320
Control number
839917200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent AVS and AMA-200 Line of Business Business employees

Duties

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The Aviation Safety Inspector (Air Carrier Maintenance) or (General Aviation Maintenance) provides Flight Standards offices and Certificate Holders/applicants with expert technical guidance and direction in the certification of new air carriers, air operators, air agencies and/or the addition of new aircraft to existing fleets to ensure compliance with Title 14 of the Code of Regulations (14 CFR), FAA directives, with a specific expertise and focus on airworthiness/maintenance related guidance and other applicable orders and guidance material. Conducts oversight of Certificate Holder’s systems, safety programs and training, ensuring the adequacy of these programs/training for compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations, FAA policies, procedures and guidance.

Utilizes expert knowledge of maintenance to provide technical direction and oversight to a team functioning as national technical experts in nation-wide programs regarding certification, evaluation, surveillance, safety management systems and other innovations involving the aviation industry. Serves as a recognized national and international technical authority. Work involves extensive long-range strategic planning and studies in order to maintain and improve aviation safety through a Systems approach to Safety Oversight.

Provides expert advice and guidance in the formulation, development and conduct of highly complex, controversial, and significant studies and projects at the national level. Provides recommendations involving the planning, conduct, gathering of requirements, and development of business model approaches including automation and tools to support the project and identification of risk areas/concerns.

Plans and conducts periodic in-depth evaluations and focused inspections involving the aviation and Air Transportation industry; evaluates Inspector Resources for the oversight of operators with high-risk profiles Provides technical support and conducts research for internal stakeholders related to a variety of issues. Reviews Safety Assurance office requests to ensure all safety critical information is received from external stakeholders. Provides education, resources and support when Safety Assurance offices are resource constrained. May result in the issuance of a letter of authorization (LOA) deviation, advisory circular, notice or updates to guidance.

Responsible for reviewing and evaluating, on a continuing basis, established rules and regulations related to assigned technical programs to assure that they have kept pace with the needs to which they were directed and that they are still reasonable, necessary, and adequate.

Serves as an Aviation Safety Inspector responsible for reviewing and evaluating, on a continuing basis, established rules and regulations related to assigned technical programs to assure that they have kept pace with the needs to which they were directed and that they are still reasonable, necessary, and adequate.

Responsible for the preparation of Federal Register notices regarding assigned technical programs for original petitions for exemptions and analysis of technical input from other employees within Flight Standards.

Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of division policy in assigned programs areas to include evaluation and analysis.

Participates in national and international working groups and panels with other organization elements of the agency, or other government agencies, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and industry representatives for the purpose of resolving complex and controversial problems having a direct influence on the safety of assigned technical programs operations, facilities, and equipment. Provides expert technical leadership, instruction and oversight; assures timely and accurate work and on-the-job accomplishment.

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).

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

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:

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:

Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) regulations; and
Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.

When the predominant work involves air carrier maintenance, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

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

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

1. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness.
2. Maintenance experience with aircraft 12,500 pounds or less maximum certificated takeoff weight.
3. Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state or Federal governmental agency.
4. Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years.
5. FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings.

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. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Experience includes extensive participation in certification, inspection, and surveillance as it relates to Air Carrier Maintenance or General Aviation Maintenance. Skill in applying, laws and regulations to inspection, investigation, enforcement, and/or compliance work. Providing expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to agency management and other senior agents, officers, or inspectors on critical operations. Solving problems demanding technologically advanced methods and innovative approaches. Must have experience in developing, delivering and overseeing delivery of complex subjects to a wide range of internal or external audiences. Experience using SAS Automation and a high level of understanding of using SAS for risk-based decision making. Experience must show application and outcome.

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

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.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA); Demonstrated Abilities; Leadership and Management Dimensions; 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.

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 applications will be accepted.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

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.

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