Skip to main content
U.S. flag

Aviation Safety Inspector - Airworthiness

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA, Aviation Safety, Flight Standards Services
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Aviation Safety Inspectors in this specialty (General Aviation Avionics) apply knowledge and skills typically acquired as repairman of aircraft, aircraft parts, and avionics equipment to develop and administer regulations and safety standards pertaining to the airworthiness and avionics maintenance of aircraft and related equipment.

This is an in-person position and you are expected to report to your duty location.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/11/2025 to 07/31/2025
Salary
$52,205 to - $98,422 per year

FG-9 $52,205 -$67,865 FG-11 $63,163 - $82,108 FG-12 $75,706 - $98,422 Salary reflects base pay only. Locality pay will vary per location.

Pay scale & grade
FG 9 - 12
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
FAA Flight Standards Duty Locations Nationwide
Many vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—Telework may be authorized for an eligible position(s)/employee(s) as determined by agency policy. Until such determination is made, the employee must report to the FAA official duty station as stipulated in the firm offer.
Travel Required
75% or less - The job may require up to 75% travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes— - Fixed Rate PCS - Permanent Change of Station for Certain Locations Only and Subject to Fund Availability (U.S. Citizens) - In accordance with applicable FAA Travel regulations, a fixed relocation payment of $10,000 will be paid to new hires to Federal service, former Federal employees (reinstatements), and student trainees. A fixed relocation payment of $10,000 will be paid to current Federal employees. Relocation expenses paid are subject to applicable taxes.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
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
FAA-AHF-25-GAV-95647
Control number
840368900

Duties

Help

Candidate must complete an extensive training program to include formal and on-the-job training up to and possibly 24 months regardless of grade level.

Duties at the FG-9 grade level may include but are not limited to the following:

  • Assisting in enforcement investigation and preparation of final reports;
  • Participating in accident/incident and complaint investigation; and
  • Assisting in the re-examination of certificated airmen or recertification of an operator or agency.

Duties at the FG-11 grade level may include but are not limited to the following:

  • Assuring that aviation organization and airmen comply with regulatory requirements and reports deficiencies to the principal inspector or supervisor;
  • Providing assistance in the evaluation of air carriers, air agencies, and air operators and making recommendations to the principal inspector or supervisor; and
  • Assisting in the recertification of an operator or agency.

Duties at the FG-12 grade level include but are not limited to the following:

  • Evaluating mechanics and repair facilities for initial certification and continuing adequacy;
  • Evaluating the mechanic's training program;
  • Inspecting aircraft and related equipment for airworthiness; and
  • Evaluating the maintenance aspects of programs of air carriers and similar commercial operations. The evaluations may include the adequacy of maintenance facilities, equipment and procedures; the competence of employees; the adequacy of the program or schedule for periodic maintenance and overhauls; and the airworthiness of the aircraft.

Aviation Safety Inspectors (Airworthiness) may perform a variety of other inspections, investigations and advisory duties however, the primary requirement for positions in this specialty is knowledge and skill pertaining to the maintenance and airworthiness of aircraft.

Inspectors are required to travel frequently and to occasionally work irregular duty hours.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Veterans' preference documents must be uploaded/submitted with application.

Qualifications

OPM Qualifications Standard for Aviation Safety Series, FG-1825 Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

  • Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal Aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years;
  • Valid State driver`s license;
  • Fluency in the English language;
  • No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and
  • High school diploma or equivalent.

Aviation Safety Inspector positions have job-related medical requirements. When applicable, applicants MUST meet job-related medical requirements which will be assessed and validated during the pre-employment process.

Medical Requirements: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following requirements:

  1. Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted);

  2. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and

  3. Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history. In addition, applicants MUST meet all of the following:

  • Aircraft avionics experience involving the maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of installed avionics systems on aircraft; and

  • Aircraft avionics work experience (which could include supervision or auditing) in a repair station; air carrier repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency within the last 3 years.

Specialized experience at the FG-7 level involves developmental assignments, such as work as a Avionics Technician. Work at this level is typically subject to close review and specific guidelines to ensure compliance with instructions.

Specialized experience at the FG-9 level involves assignments involving familiar aircraft, facilities and equipment, such as work as a Lead Avionics Technician. Work at this level is typically subject to review and specific guidelines to ensure compliance with instructions.

Specialized experience at the FG-11 involves assignments with a broad scope of responsibility, more variety and less clear guidelines, such as work as a Supervisory Avionics Inspector. Work at this level is typically subject to review to assure compliance with organized policies or regulations, and specific guidelines to ensure compliance with organizational policies or regulations.

Specialized experience at the FG-12 involves a wide range of assignments or a few highly complex assignments, requiring planning and organization, setting priorities and working without clear or specific guidelines, such as work as a Manager with responsibility for supervising the maintenance of avionics systems for a Title 14 CFR Part 145 repair station .Work at this level is typically reviewed only to assess the impact on overall organizational objectives.

Education

Applicant must be a high school graduate 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

The Flight Standards Service utilizes a National Centralized Hiring Process, for standardized interviewing, screening, and verification of qualifications and experience of Aviation Safety Inspector applicants.

Interviews for the Aviation Safety Inspector positions are conducted at any National Centralized Hiring Process (NCHP) location or via ZOOM, to determine whether they possess the necessary qualifications, competencies and personal qualities to successfully perform Aviation Safety Inspector duties. If contacted for an interview, interview travel expenses may be reimbursed.

PCS incentive is subject to a twelve-month service commitment. Not all locations are eligible for PCS as not all locations are considered hard to fill.

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.