Department of Transportation

Aviation Safety Inspector (General Aviation Flight Oversight)

Scottsdale, Arizona Full time

Aviation Safety Inspector (General Aviation Flight Oversight)

Department: Department of Transportation

Location(s): Scottsdale, Arizona

Salary Range: $131568 - $171043 Per Year

Job Summary: The Principal Oversight Inspector (POI) serves as the primary flight oversight interface between assigned air carriers, air operators, air agencies, airmen, designees, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Has program responsibility to assure that assigned organizations meet Title 14 Code of Federal Regulation (14 CFR) with respect to general aviation flight oversight programs.

Major Duties:

  • The POI will establish technical procedures and performance indexes and review complete flight oversight programs for leaders in the aviation industry, or organizations of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations. Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity. The POI will develop and evaluate flight oversight programs for organizations which utilize the newest, most complex aircraft, systems, and equipment. Because of organizational complexity or technology incorporated in the aircraft, systems, and equipment, the employee must exercise originality to resolve unique problems and will frequently rely on engineers and designers for specific technical guidance although much of their work is carried out under very broad policy guidelines. Supervisors give FG-14 employees a wide leeway for independent action. Other inspectors seek their advice on problems relating to aircraft and their operation. Because of the precedent-setting nature or substantial effect on the aviation industry or public safety, their decisions may be reviewed and approved at a higher policy- setting level. The POI will plan and direct the use of time and resources to accomplish organizational objectives and will define, organize, and use resources to accomplish work activities within established schedules. Analyze program requirements and accomplishments and make or direct adjustments as necessary to address organizational needs. Decisions typically have broad impact on the operation of aircraft or a geographic area containing a variety of novel and/or complex aviation oversight. Decisions have a significant effect on the safety of the flying public. The POI will have critically important and frequently controversial contacts with key officials of major manufacturers and general aviation organizations. Contacts are made to resolve issues which affect the initial certification or oversight programs, and their effect on safety and compliance with regulations. The POI resolves all but unique problems, with the intervention of management or a technical specialist. Develop plans, techniques, and policies to address current and anticipated problems and issues. Works with management to solve problems. Contacts are internal and external to the agency. The POI occasionally represents the agency as a point of contact for policy development, inspection activities or as a technical trainer/instructor delivering formal training. Contacts vary significantly depending upon the purpose of the contacts, the level of authority required to resolve issues, and the nature of the technical problem at hand. Typical contacts involve dealings with members of senior management staffs, representatives of professional organizations, staff members of industry groups, representatives of other government agencies, and representatives of other civil aviation authorities. The POI is expected to follow established laws, orders, policies, and regulations that provide general guidance for completing work objectives but is allowed considerable discretion to develop new or innovative approaches. The POI uses resourcefulness, initiative, and judgment based on experience to develop and implement evaluation procedures to address problems where precedents are not applicable. Methods, practices, or decisions may be used as guidance in similar problem areas. Performs other duties as assigned Note: Flight Oversight ASIs do not conduct certification (pilot evaluating, testing, and checking) job functions as a required crewmember, including safety pilot. The incumbent will not, in any scenario, act as a required crewmember or safety pilot of an aircraft. Flight Oversight ASIs apply a broad knowledge of the aviation industry, aviation safety, and Federal aviation laws, regulations, and policies.

Qualifications: General Requirements for All 1825 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 for All Positions: 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: 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, applicant 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. 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. In addition to meeting the basic and medical requirements, applicants must meet the following additional qualification requirements: Must hold a valid or expired Flight Instructor Certificate with an aircraft category rating or have experience serving as an instructor as part of an approved program or course (e.g., Title 14 CFR Part 121, 135, 141, or 142, or Uniformed Services) which provided instruction in an aircraft or an approved flight simulation training device representing an aircraft. Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in an aircraft, an approved flight simulation training device representing an aircraft, or a combination of both. Must hold a valid Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument-airplane rating. Three years of experience working in an organization with an air carrier, commercial operator, or air agency certificate, an organization whose work has led to the certification of individual airmen, or an organization that operated aircraft. Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours. Possession of airplane category and single-engine and multi-engine land (airplane) ratings. Not more than two flying accidents in the last five years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved. In addition, applicants must demonstrate in their application that they possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I/FG-13 level. 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 is: Assisting, conducting or performing various technical functions related to certification, surveillance, investigation and compliance recommendation of operational activities on FAR Part 135 air carriers/air operators. The recency of specialized experience is waived for current FAA employees in the 1825 series. The need for a valid second-class FAA medical certificate is waived for this position. The incumbent will not participate in the 4040 EBC Flight Program. Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.

How to Apply: Applicants may be required to complete one or multiple assessments as part of the evaluation process. This assessment aims to evaluate the competencies and qualifications essential for the position. 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. RESUMES ARE LIMITED TO TWO PAGES. IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC AND INCLUDE INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO THE QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION. Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job) Relevant work experience: should align to the Job Announcement and address all required qualifications and include job title, employer name, start/end dates, number of hours worked per week. Education, certification or licensure: If required, education should include school/institution name, completion date, degree type and GPA. 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.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-13