Skip to main content
U.S. flag

Aviation Safety Inspector

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Flight Standards Service, Air Transportation Division, Training and Simulation Branch, AFS-280
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Aviation Safety Inspector for the Air Transportation Division, Training and Simulation Branch (Sim Section), AFS-280.

Selected candidates will receive the required training to conduct flight simulation training devices (FSTD) initial and continuing qualification.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/05/2025 to 07/25/2025
Salary
$124,531 to - $195,200 per year

Salary includes locality to be determined based upon location.

Pay scale & grade
FG 14
Location
4 vacancies in the following location:
FAA Flight Standards Duty Locations Nationwide
4 vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Travel Required
76% or greater - The job may require 76% or more travel.
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
Announcement number
AGL-AFX-25-0045-95589
Control number
840072500

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent AVS and AMA-200 employees.

Duties

Help

Serve as a recognized national expert and consultant with a high level of technical knowledge and professional expertise concerning state-of-the art aircraft simulation of all aircraft with full and final responsibility for technical decisions relating to:

1. Simulation hardware including control loading, motion and visual systems.
2. Simulation software including simulator and visual data base programming.
3. Evaluation of aircraft Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs) in
accordance with agency regulations and standards.
4. Upgrading previously approved simulation equipment to the standards set
forth in the agency’s simulation plan and other directives.

Concentrates principally on the day-to-day operations of the assigned section and on monitoring, coordinating, and evaluating highly complex operational problems that have a major impact on agency mission. Recommends, coordinates, evaluates, and monitors progress on high priority Flight Standards Service aircraft simulation projects. Reviews and evaluates or provides for the review and evaluation of the results of such projects to determine the applicability to responsibilities of the Training and Simulation Group and recommends their incorporation into rules, regulations, policies, standards, programs and procedures, as appropriate, and coordinates the participation of other responsible personnel. Serves as a technical advisor and or member of a Flight Standardization Board or a Flight Operations Evaluation Board to address pilot training and qualification requirements and, aircraft certification requirements, Publishes guidelines for national use in approving air carrier and operator training programs.

Reviews and ensures the adequacy of safety regulatory material developed by the Flight Standards Service that relate to aircraft simulation. Provides advice for rulemaking and recommends the development of new or amended rules, regulations, standards, or other regulatory material, as required, and the discontinuance of those no longer considered appropriate or necessary.

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 directed needs and that they are still reasonable, necessary, and adequate. Evaluates regulatory petitions or proposals from within or outside the agency, and recommends the development of new or amended rules, regulations, or other regulatory material, and the discontinuance of rules and regulations no longer considered necessary.

Assists and represents the Training and Simulation Group manager and the Flight Standards Service in coordination with the other flight standards elements relating to aircraft simulation development efforts of the agency. Has full authority to act and speak for the Training Simulation Group and the Division within the limits of established policy when representing the agency. Participates in planning, consolidating, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating programs, special assignments, and activities of the Training and Simulation Group staff relative to complex and special programs involving FSTDs evaluation, approval and use and other high priority staff programs.

Leads highly technical aircraft simulation projects with the Department of Transportation, private industry simulation users and manufacturers and other governmental agencies.

Develops operational policies, including advisory circulars, inspector guidelines, and training standards, and other applicable standards in support of assigned programs. Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of division policy in assigned program areas.

Requirements

Help

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

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.

Aviation Safety Inspectors (Operations)

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

  1. At least 1 year of pilot experience in multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight;
  2. Not more than 2 flying accidents during the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved;
  3. Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a simulator check to Airline Transport Pilot Standard.
  4. Minimum 100 flight hours during the last 3 years;
  5. Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating (Department of Navy positions require pilot experience as demonstrated by previous ATP level performance in large multi-engine airplanes and helicopters);
  6. Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate (For positions within the Department of Navy, applicants must also be physically qualified to ride as an observer aboard squadron aircraft. In addition, must also meet physical requirements to travel and lift heavy objects while performing mishap investigations); and
  7. Minimum 1,500 total flight hours.

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

  1. Valid, unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate with single and multi-engine airplane and instrument airplane ratings. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in an aircraft.
  2. Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a flight check to Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument rating;
  3. Possession of Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating.
  4. Minimum of 100 flight hours within the last 3 years.
  5. Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours.
  6. Possession of single and multi-engine land airplane ratings.
  7. Not more than 2 flying accidents in the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved.
  8. Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate.

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 basic knowledge of flight simulator qualification and approval procedures. Knowledge of and extensive experience in General Aviation and Air Carrier training program using flight simulation training devices. Must be able to evaluate technical information and prepare technical investigative correspondence.

For Lateral Movements Between 1825 Specialties:

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.

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

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 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated for Internal Announcements:

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the i.e. 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.

Applicants MUST submit a copy of their certificates/licenses/FAA Form 3330-47-3 unless they are currently occupying an Operations 1825 series position. If the back side of the license contains the ratings, be sure to copy both sides. All forms/certificates/licenses must be submitted by closing date of announcement to receive consideration. Failure to do so will result in your application being rated incomplete.

Duty Location:

Selectee will be required to report to an FAA Aviation Safety (AVS) Duty Location. Position is telework eligible in accordance with Agency Policy.

Incomplete Applications:

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.

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.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.