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Airport Certification and Safety Inspector

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Western Pacific Region, Airports Division, Safety and Standards Branch (WP620)

Summary

This position serves as the Lead Airport Certification Safety Inspector (ACSI) responsible for 14 CFR Part 139 compliance for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Airports (ARP), Western Pacific Airports Division.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/09/2025 to 12/18/2025
Salary
$129,024 to - $200,025 per year

The salary range cited above includes a locality rate of 36.47%.

Pay scale & grade
FV J
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
El Segundo, CA
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Travel Required
75% or less - The job may require up to 75% travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
NA
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Bargaining unit status
Yes - This position is represented by NATCA: Regional ARP Except AEA.
Announcement number
AWP-ARP-26-BMA8452-96586
Control number
851837500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

AVS-Wide: Open to current Federal Aviation Administration employees within ARP.

Duties

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Performs multiple, varying and complex assignments under the minimal direction of a manager as the Lead Airport Certification Safety Inspector (ACSI). This position applies experience and comprehensive technical knowledge to serve as a Regional primary point of contact in the area of airport certification and safety.

Advises airport management on new requirements and developments in the airport certification program.

Conducts periodic and surveillance inspections at Part 139 certified airports including medium to large hub airports to ensure compliance with standards for 14 CFR Part 139 in the areas of records, personnel, paved areas, unpaved areas, safety areas, marking signs, and lighting, snow and ice control, aircraft rescue and firefighting, handling and storing of hazardous substances and materials, traffic and wind direction indicators, airport emergency plan, self-inspection program, pedestrians and ground vehicles, obstructions, protection of NAVAIDS, public protection, wildlife hazard management, airport condition reporting, and identifying, marking and lighting construction and other unserviceable areas.

Reviews and approves Airport Certification Manuals and emergency plans required by regulation to ensure current and adequate airport operating procedures.

Recommends approval or denial of applications for Airport Operating Certificates (AOC).

Investigates known or alleged violations of the regulations in accordance with current agency directives.

Coordinates directly with management to initiate revocation or suspension of AOC in accordance with agency guidelines.

Reviews and evaluates petitions from airport owners for exemptions from any or all of 14 CFR Part 139 requirements.

Coordinates recommended exemption requests with regional Division Manager and FAA Headquarters.

Conducts investigations of vehicle/pedestrian deviations at airports and evaluate results for closure or enforcement (administrative or legal).

Conducts reviews of Construction Safety Phasing Plans and conducts inspections of airports to ensure operational safety during construction meets current standards.

Reviews and approves wildlife hazard assessments and wildlife hazard management plans at Part 139 airports and works closely with the airports, wildlife biologists, other technical experts and stakeholders to reduce hazardous wildlife and attractants on and in the vicinity of airports.

Investigates potential regulatory violations and initiates administrative or legal enforcement actions, as appropriate. Works cooperatively with FAA management and legal counsel in processing legal enforcement cases.

Supports investigations of an aircraft accident or incident on or near an airport as a subject matter expert.

May be called upon to serve as a member of an Accident Investigation Board.

Works in collaboration with division staff and other FAA organizations to improve surface safety at airports by reviewing or investigating the factors leading to surface incidents, runway incursions, and aircraft excursions.

Collaborates with Regional and Local Runway Safety Action Teams by providing 14 CFR Part 139 expertise and assisting in the development of airport runway safety action plans.

Reviews and provides comments on policies, procedures, standards, guidance, and other instructions issued by Headquarters.

Conducts Runway Safety Area inventories, which may include physical inspection of a safety area to determine what is installed and if it meets agency standards.

In coordination with management ensures the regional Airport Certification Program is carried out in accordance with the Airport Certification Program Handbook, and the FAA's Compliance and Enforcement Program.

Reviews and verifies individual airport layout plans, obstruction charts, safety equipment descriptions, construction drawings and documents related to certification requirements.

Performs other duties as assigned.

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).
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
  • Random Alcohol testing required.
  • Successful completion of a security investigation will be required.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position all applicants must demonstrate in their application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. SPECIALIZED experience is experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must be at least equivalent to the next lower grade or band level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

To qualify for this position at the FV-J level, all applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I, FG/GS-13 level. Examples of specialized experience for this position include experience in: 1) Experience with conducting inspections at airports to ensure operational safety and/or compliance with FAA standards and regulation; 2) Experience with reviewing and approving Airport Certification Manuals and emergency plans required by regulation to ensure current and adequate airport operating procedures; 3) Experience in reviewing and verifying individual airport layout plans, obstruction charts, safety equipment descriptions, construction drawings and documents related to certification requirements; 4) Experience in conducting reviews and approvals of wildlife hazard assessments and wildlife hazards management plans and; 5) Experience with investigating potential regulatory violations and initiating administrative or legal enforcement actions, as appropriate.

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

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) 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. Applicants must apply on-line for employment consideration.

Education

There is no Education substitution at the FV-J level.

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

This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.

Work Environment: This position requires up to 60% travel. A valid driver’s license is required.

This position may require the inspector to drive significant distance (100 - 300 miles) and requires the inspector to walk considerable distances to inspect airfield pavement, safety areas, lighting, markings, signage, and fueling systems. Frequently this requires working around the hazards of moving aircraft (taxiing, landing, and takeoff) and ground vehicles. The candidate may also be required to lift and/or carry objects of about 20 to 50 pounds, as well as climb ladders and/or work in unusual environmental/weather conditions.

Physical Requirement: Candidates must successfully complete a Basic Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Training Course which places the candidate in a strenuous physical heat controlled environment with fire protection suits and self-contained breathing apparatus that could be heavy and awkward.

If the Agency decides to interview any qualified employee on the selection list, then all on the list who are qualified must be interviewed.

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.

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