The Assistant Principal Avionics Inspector (APAI), serves as a full assistant to the Supervisory Principal Avionics Inspector performing the full range of certification, surveillance, and inspection duties for Alaska Airlines. They have program responsibility to assure that Alaska Airlines meets Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) with respect to maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alteration programs. They assist in establishment of work programs for inspection and surveillance.
Summary
The Assistant Principal Avionics Inspector (APAI), serves as a full assistant to the Supervisory Principal Avionics Inspector performing the full range of certification, surveillance, and inspection duties for Alaska Airlines. They have program responsibility to assure that Alaska Airlines meets Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) with respect to maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alteration programs. They assist in establishment of work programs for inspection and surveillance.
Under the general direction of the Principal Inspector (Maintenance/Avionics) or Supervisory Principal Inspector (Maintenance/Avionics) accomplishes the following duties:
A. Technical Administration
Under the general direction of the Supervisory Principal Avionics Inspector, they ensure Alaska Airlines is properly and adequately organized, staffed and equipped; established and conducts adequate training programs; maintains record keeping system; and facilities and ensures procedures meet all regulatory requirements. They maintain regular contact with Alaska Airlines and coordinates with top management officials. They require or direct correction of any deficiencies/discrepancies and refuses or withdraws approval if they cannot be resolved. They develop avionics program requirements through participation on maintenance review board. They coordinate minimum equipment list (MEL) approvals with the principal inspector. They take enforcement action in instances of noncompliance with the MEL. They are responsible for conducting enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition. They conduct investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries, and aircraft incidents and accidents. They coordinate with geographic inspectors for the accomplishment of non-routine air carrier surveillance. They assist the Supervisory Principal Avionics Inspector in the planning and implementation of certificate holders’ surveillance via usage of the appropriate safety system.
Certification-
The Assistant Principal Avionics Inspector evaluates requests to operate under conditions not previously specified in the airworthiness portion of the operations specifications and approves/disapproves requests providing additional conditions and limitations as needed. Provides guidance to Alaska Airlines in the development of required maintenance manuals and record keeping systems. Reviews and determines adequacy of manuals associated with the air carrier’s airworthiness programs and revisions. Ensures manuals and revisions comply with regulatory requirements, prescribe safe practices, and furnish clear and specific instructions governing airworthiness programs. Approves operations specifications and amendments. Determines if the maintenance facilities being established or contract arrangements entered into by air carrier for the purpose of overhaul work, major repairs, alterations, and other maintenance are satisfactory. Reviews changes and negotiates with Alaska Airlines management to resolve problems. Determines if overhaul and inspection time limitations warrant revision. Evaluates Alaska Airlines proposed reliability programs for compliance with national policies. Advises operator of deficiencies and required changes. Approves/disapproves reliability programs. Determines if the air carrier’s training program meets the requirements of 14 CFR, is compatible with the airworthiness program, is properly organized and effectively conducted, and results in trained and competent personnel.
Surveillance-
Directs the inspection and surveillance of the air carrier’s continuous airworthiness program. Monitors all phases of the air carrier’s airworthiness operation, including the maintenance, engineering, quality control, production control, training, and reliability programs.
Analyzes trends to detect deterioration in the airworthiness program.
Analyzes reports submitted by the air carrier to ensure compliance with airworthiness program and ensures the air carrier has an effective continuing analysis and surveillance program to meet the requirements of 14 CFR.
Responsible for monitoring the activities of air operators, air agencies, airmen, and designees.
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:
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.
Medical Requirements:
Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector (General Aviation Maintenance) position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The medical requirements include the following:
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);
Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and
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.
In addition, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of the aircraft must:
Possess a valid second – class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations; and
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:
Provide documentation from a board-certified physician certifying that they meet the minimal medical requirements; or
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.
When the predominant work involves air carrier avionics, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements.
Aircraft avionics experience involving the maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of installed avionics systems on aircraft.
Avionics maintenance experience on aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight.
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 Requirements:
To qualify for the FG-14 you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I, FG/GS-13 in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience may include experience providing technical guidance for certification, and oversight, interpreting a variety of data to identify methods, techniques and practices enhancing aviation safety, providing guidance regarding certification and surveillance for FAR Part 121 air carrier/operators.
For Lateral Movements Between 1825 Specialties:
Recency of specialized experience and the need for a valid second-class medical is waived for employees currently in the 1825 series.
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
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
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
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Only supplemental documentation will be accepted in combination with your on-line application. These documents must be uploaded to your USAJOBS profile on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number.
No references will be made from your Official Personnel File, so information must be current and up to date.
If you are an FAA employee, you MUST provide a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) containing information in 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. You may fax your SF-50 or upload it into the on-line application. If faxing the SF-50, please ensure you include the vacancy announcement number on the faxed copy.
If you are an FAA employee, you can access and print your SF-50 from the eOPF system https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Faxed, mailed or e-mailed applications cannot be accepted.
You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE OR EDUCATION.
We strongly encourage applicants to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder in the creation of resumes.
Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:
Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
Duties (be specific in describing your duties)
Employer's name and address
Supervisor name and phone number
Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
Salary (optional)
Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible.
You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies. Please see this guide, Document Upload Guide, for more information on uploading and re-using the documents in your applications.
Amendment Date: 08/28/2025
Amendment Note: Updated to remove QAT Order from Minimum Qualifications section in accordance with Flight Standards 8/22 cancellation message.
Federal Aviation Administration
ACE Regional HR Services Division
901 Locust Street, Room 402
AHF-C100
Kansas City, MO 64106
US
Next steps
Once we receive your complete application, the Human Resources Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Eligible and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.
For instructions on how to check the status of your application, please go to: USAJOBS Help Guide.
Important - If you make any changes to your application, you must resubmit it. If you make changes to your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and only your previously submitted application will be evaluated.
All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Only supplemental documentation will be accepted in combination with your on-line application. These documents must be uploaded to your USAJOBS profile on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number.
No references will be made from your Official Personnel File, so information must be current and up to date.
If you are an FAA employee, you MUST provide a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) containing information in 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. You may fax your SF-50 or upload it into the on-line application. If faxing the SF-50, please ensure you include the vacancy announcement number on the faxed copy.
If you are an FAA employee, you can access and print your SF-50 from the eOPF system https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Faxed, mailed or e-mailed applications cannot be accepted.
You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE OR EDUCATION.
We strongly encourage applicants to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder in the creation of resumes.
Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:
Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
Duties (be specific in describing your duties)
Employer's name and address
Supervisor name and phone number
Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
Salary (optional)
Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible.
You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies. Please see this guide, Document Upload Guide, for more information on uploading and re-using the documents in your applications.
Amendment Date: 08/28/2025
Amendment Note: Updated to remove QAT Order from Minimum Qualifications section in accordance with Flight Standards 8/22 cancellation message.
Federal Aviation Administration
ACE Regional HR Services Division
901 Locust Street, Room 402
AHF-C100
Kansas City, MO 64106
US
Next steps
Once we receive your complete application, the Human Resources Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Eligible and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.
For instructions on how to check the status of your application, please go to: USAJOBS Help Guide.
Important - If you make any changes to your application, you must resubmit it. If you make changes to your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and only your previously submitted application will be evaluated.
All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
