Department of Transportation

Aviation Safety Inspector (OPS) (FAASTeam Program Manager )

Ankeny, Iowa Full time

Aviation Safety Inspector (OPS) (FAASTeam Program Manager )

Department: Department of Transportation

Location(s): Ankeny, Iowa

Salary Range: $126797 - $164841 Per Year

Job Summary: Serves as the FAASTEAM Program Manager, Aviation Safety Inspector (Ops) or (Roto/Heli), at the Des Moines FSDO Standards District Office. The duty station for this position is located in Ankeny, IA

Major Duties:

  • The incumbent is responsible for justifying and recommending new or amended aviation safety procedures, managing, establishing, implementing, and coordinating the operations portion of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety Team (FAASTeam) program primarily within assigned field office geographic area but may provide FAASTeam program support outside assigned field offices area as directed. The incumbent responsibilities must align with the National FAASTeam Annual Performance Plan (NPP) to accomplish the National Program Guidance (NPG) with respect to aviation education. Aviation safety education is an integral part of meeting the FAA's statutory obligation to promote aviation safety. The FAA provides aviation education and guidance to all segments of the aviation community. Aviation education targets the General Aviation (GA) community and serves an important human factors role in the FAA relationship with the flying public. Manages policies, standards, programs, and procedures for aviation and commercial operations. Establishes collaborative relationships with external aviation organizations to address safety issues and seeks innovative mitigation strategies of such issues. Analyzes safety issues and seeks a wide range of regulatory and nonregulatory responses to ensure rapid adoption of remedies to aviation safety concerns. Responsible and accountable for representing the FAA in coordinating system safety programs such as safety assurance, safety promotion, and risk management activities within the aviation environment. Interfaces include certificated airmen, air carriers, air agencies, air operators, general aviation organizations, designees, the general public and airport organizations. Participates with industry, internal and external work groups, and teams to address specific safety concerns and aviation issues. Develops guidance and associated products to implement policies addressing safety and related aviation requirements. Manages aviation safety procedures, local initiatives, and supports national products. Determines appropriate goals and objectives for the operations portion of the aviation safety program in coordination with national FAASTeam guidance. Implements and manages comprehensive safety action plans and programs by utilizing FAASTeam Representative Volunteers. Provides technical assistance to other national and international aviation safety organizations and maintains close liaison with those external national and international aviation organizations, certificated airmen, aircarriers, air agencies, air operators, general aviation organizations, designees and airport organizations, to identify and resolve potential safety problems and establish safety programs. Supports the national FAASTeam Policy Division(s) in FAA-wide and community aviation education programs. Responsible for the promotion and education of regulatory compliance in safety related areas. Manages aviation safety procedures, local initiatives, and supports national products. Determines appropriate goals and objectives for the operations portion of the aviation safety program in coordination with national FAASTeam guidance. Implements and manages comprehensive safety action plans and programs by utilizing FAASTeam Representative Volunteers. Participates in the FAA flight program to maintain qualification and currency requirements applicable to operations inspectors, for the purpose of supporting the FAA in a variety of flight-related functions to include training and evaluation of designated pilot examiners. Evaluates tasks contained in the FAA practical test standards and airman certification standards by participating as pilot in command or as a crewmember. The inspector is required to maintain an FAA second class medical. Participates in the FAA flight program to maintain qualification and currency requirements applicable to operations inspectors.

Qualifications: Applicants for all Aviation Safety Inspector positions must meet the Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards: 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 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. To qualify for this position you must meet the Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards for the 1825 series in the General Aviation Operation specialty which requires the following: 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. To qualify for this position you must meet the Federal Aviation Administration Qualification Standards for the 1825 series in the Rotorcraft/Helicopter specialty which requires the following: 1. Minimum 100 flight hours in Rotorcraft-Helicopter in the last three years. 2. Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating with Instrument or Airline Transport Pilot with Helicopter Rating. 3. Flight Instructor Certificate Rotorcraft-Helicopter, Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter Rating. 4. 1,200 hours of total time requirements (1,000 in actual flight conditions, 250 hours of night flight in which 15 hours are in a helicopter). 5. Flight time requirement in helicopters of 250 hours, which includes at least 75 hours as a pilot-in- command, or as second-in-command performing duties of a pilot-in-command under the supervision of a pilot- in-command, or any combination thereof. 6. Cross-country flight time requirement of 500 hours. 7. Instrument flight time requirement of 75 hours in actual or simulated instrument meteorological conditions, of which at least 50 hours are obtained in flight with at least 25 hours in helicopters as pilot-in-command, or as second-in-command performing the duties of a pilot-in-command under the supervision of a pilot-in- command, or any combination thereof. In addition, applicants must demonstrate in their application that they possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of FV-I/GS/FG-13. Specialized experience is defined as assisting, conducting or performing various technical functions related to certification, surveillance, investigation, and enforcement activities. 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 Air Carrier and General Aviation Qualifications Assessment Tool for AFS Aviation Safety Inspectors. This order is located at: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/3410.26.pdf The recency of specialized experience is waived for current or former 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. In-grade/downgrade applications will be accepted.

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: 2026-05-18