Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations), Houston FSDO, SWSD09B

Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations), Houston FSDO, SWSD09B

Department: Department of Transportation

Location(s): Houston, Texas

Salary Range: $145052 - $188573 Per Year

Job Summary: Serves as a Principal Operations Inspector; serves as the primary operations 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 operations programs.

Major Duties:

• The POI receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The POI, mostly independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work. The work is normally accepted without change. Completed work may be reviewed for adherence to FAA policy and for assurance that project requirements have been fulfilled. Responsible for application of expert knowledge of flight operations for advanced multiengine turbojet aircraft. Such employees are concerned with all aspects of the operational capabilities and limitations of the aircraft. Establish technical procedures and performance indexes and review complete flight operations programs for leaders in the aviation industry, or organizations of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations. The following assignments are illustrative: 1. As a Service wide expert on a particular type of advanced multiengine turbojet aircraft: -- Advises other inspectors of major changes in the operation of the aircraft; -- Standardizes procedures and judgments used by inspectors to evaluate the operation of the aircraft; -- Evaluates new training methods and equipment (e.g., simulators) for initial certification; -- Serves on national boards that determine the minimum equipment necessary to operate a particular type of aircraft safely; and -- Serves on boards that evaluate incidents, accidents, complaints, and other serious problems relating to the aircraft. Develops plans to resolve problems. 2. As the principal representative in regulatory oversight of general aviation and air carrier activities, exercises certificate authority over extensive and complex operations. Analyzes flight operations involving large fleets of turbojet aircraft engaged in passenger and freight service. 3.Exercises certificate authority and safety responsibility over a complex of broad and varied general aviation organizations such as air carriers, executive and/or industrial operators, designees, and flight schools when the activities monitored equate collectively to a major air carrier in terms of size and complexity of aircraft fleet employed, scope and technical complexity of operations, management sophistication, industry leadership, and public impact. Develops and evaluates flight operations 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, employees must exercise originality to resolve unique problems. They frequently rely on engineers and designers for specific technical guidance although much of their work is carried out under very broad policy guidelines. Plans and directs the use of time and resources to accomplish organizational objectives. He or she defines, organizes, and uses resources to accomplish work activities within established schedules, analyzes program requirements and accomplishments, and makes or directs adjustments as necessary to address organizational needs. Provides critical important and frequent controversial contacts with key officials of major manufacturers and general aviation organizations. Contacts are made to resolve issues which affect the initial certification or operations programs, and their effect on safety and compliance with regulations. 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. Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications: Aviation Safety Series, 1825 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 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, 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 tentatively selected will be required to: Provide documentation from a board-certified physician certifying that they meet the minimal medical requirements, with or without a reasonable accommodation; 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 with or without a reasonable accommodation. To qualify for this position you must meet the Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards for the 1825 series, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS/FG-13 as an Aviation Safety Inspector (GAO). 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: experience assisting, conducting, or performing various technical functions related to certification, surveillance, investigation, and enforcement activities. In addition, 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. The recency of specialized experience is waived for current FAA employees in the 1825 series. Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their Work History. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. 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. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability.

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. 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) 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: 2026-02-04