Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations)

Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations)

Department: Department of Transportation

Location(s): San Juan, Puerto Rico, Salt Lake City, Utah, Herndon, Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, Renton, Washington, Spokane, Washington, Charleston, West Virginia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Casper, Wyoming, Vestavia Hills, Alabama, Anchorage, Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, Juneau, Alaska, Scottsdale, Arizona, Little Rock, Arkansas, Alameda, California, Fresno, California, Lawndale, California, Long Beach, California, Riverside, California, Sacramento, California, San Diego, California, San Jose, California, Van Nuys, California, Denver, Colorado, Enfield, Connecticut, Miramar, Florida, Orlando, Florida, Tampa, Florida, Hapeville, Georgia, Honolulu, Hawaii, Boise, Idaho, Des Plaines, Illinois, Springfield, Illinois, West Chicago, Illinois, Plainfield, Indiana, Ankeny, Iowa, Wichita, Kansas, Louisville, Kentucky, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Portland, Maine, Glen Burnie, Maryland, Burlington, Massachusetts, Belleville, Michigan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jackson, Mississippi, Kansas City, Missouri, Saint Ann, Missouri, Helena, Montana, Lincoln, Nebraska, Las Vegas, Nevada, Reno, Nevada, Saddle Brook, New Jersey, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Farmingdale, New York, Garden City, New York, Latham, New York, Rochester, New York, Charlotte, North Carolina, Greensboro, North Carolina, Fargo, North Dakota, Cincinnati, Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, North Olmsted, Ohio, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Hillsboro, Oregon, Allentown, Pennsylvania, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, West Columbia, South Carolina, Rapid City, South Dakota, Memphis, Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, Houston, Texas, Irving, Texas, Lubbock, Texas, San Antonio, Texas

Salary Range: $107446 - $139684 Per Year

Job Summary: Serves as an Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) for the Flight Technologies and Procedures Division as a technical expert on communication/navigation/surveillance programs and procedures.

Major Duties:

• The incumbent is responsible for applying expert knowledge of and experience with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for FAA field personnel and the public governing all matters to operations safety issues. The incumbent is a Flight Standards Service (FS) technical expert assigned to oversee, implement and integrate communication, navigation and surveillance flight operational technology and other associated air traffic management and National Airspace System (NAS) programs. Maintains a continuing awareness of evolving flight operations technology and procedures and assures that the necessary technical concepts, standards, criteria, procedures, guidance, and rules are developed to permit the introduction of this technology in a timely and effective manner. He/she develops special flight technical concepts, policies, standards, criteria, procedures, guidance and rules and recommends final approval or disapproval of operators, aircraft, and equipment for these operations. The incumbent determines the need for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements pertaining to navigation systems and flight operations. The incumbent is responsible for recommending research and development requirements for new or revised navigation systems, operational procedures and aircraft equipment and develops policy and criteria for use of these systems. This work frequently includes working on national and international panels and working groups. The incumbent provides aviation safety oversight and surveillance work relative to flight operations in the NAS. The inspector's work directly affects critical objectives and programs of the line of business. Typical assignments include developing policy and guidance or serving as a primary technical specialist or as a technical trainer/instructor. Work also affects major components of the domestic and international aviation industries and other external organizations. Work may involve prototypes and state-of-the-art programs. Decisions on highly complex issues frequently establish the Agency's position and create agency policy and precedents on a long-term basis. The incumbent determines the need for and makes recommendations for new or amended regulations, policies and procedures, and for research projects. Plans, directs, and monitors project activities to determine efficient and effective airspace operations. Defines, organizes, and assigns resources to accomplish organizational objectives. Allocates resources to accomplish complex work activities within established schedules. Incorporates strategic planning/initiatives, rulemaking and regulatory requirements, operational approval guidance, navigation system performance standards, internal/external studies, and recommendations from FAA sponsored advisory committees to determine gaps in existing standards. The inspector interprets policy and provides guidance to lower level inspectors on difficult or complex policy interpretations. He/she is accountable for accomplishing work activities within established schedules. Conducts special studies, surveys, and evaluations of established technical policies, standards, programs, projects, and procedures to assure they are up to date with the latest aircraft and operational developments. Reviews and ensures the technical adequacy of safety regulatory material developed. Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications: Minimum Eligibility Requirements For 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: 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, applicants 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. Specialized Experience, Training, And Certification Requirements: When the predominant work involves general aviation operations, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) positions must meet all of the following requirements: 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. Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a flight check to Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument rating; Possession of Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating. Minimum of 100 flight hours within the last 3 years. Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours. Possession of single and multi-engine land airplane ratings. Not more than 2 flying accidents in the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved. Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate. When the predominant work involves air carrier operations, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) positions must meet all of the following requirements: At least 1 year of pilot experience in multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight; Not more than 2 flying accidents during the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved; Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a simulator check to Airline Transport Pilot Standard; Minimum 100 flight hours during the last 3 years; Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating; Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate; and Minimum 1,500 total flight hours. In addition to the above requirements, to qualify for this position at the FG/GS-14 (FV-J) level, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FG/GS-13 (FV-I) level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties. Specialized Experience includes: experience applying and interpreting Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR); experience conducting enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports, and recommendations on disposition; and experience analyzing, conducting, or performing various technical functions related to certification, surveillance, investigations, and enforcement activities. Recency of specialized experience requirements (100 flight hours within the last 3 years) and second-class medical is waived for current and former FAA employees in the 1825 series (this covers internal placement actions including promotions, reassignments, voluntary changes to lower grades, transfers or reinstatements to same or lower grade that currently or previously held). 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. This order is located at: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/3410.26.pdf. 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. Please see this guide, Document Upload Guide, for more information on uploading and re-using the documents in your applications.

Application Deadline: 2026-04-10