Aviation Safety Inspector (ACO), Advanced Qualification Program Manager (AQP) Job in Hapeville, GA

Vacancy No. AEA-AFS-25-BKY-95779 Department Federal Aviation Administration
Salary $131,690.00 to $171,197.00 Grade 14 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 8/6/2025 Close Date 8/26/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Hapeville, GA


Summary

The Advanced Qualification Program Manager (AQPM) is responsible for the adequacy of the advanced qualification flight program including indoctrination, qualification, and continuing qualification curricula, and the flight operations program performing inspections, surveillance, and certification duties for carriers, air operators, air agencies, airmen, and designees. Manages the program for all assigned aircraft. Assists in the establishment of work programs for inspection and surveillance.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

FAA Wide - Open to current permanent FAA employees

Duties

Under the general direction of the Principal Inspector or Supervisory Principal Inspector, accomplishes the following duties:

A. Technical Administration

Within the Advanced Qualification Program(s), assures on a continuing basis that certificate holders are properly and adequately organized, staffed, and equipped; have and conduct an adequate AQP including an acceptable record keeping system; and facilities and procedures that meet all regulatory requirements.

Coordinates with AFS-280 on AQP application, development, approval, and continued operation as a member of the Extended Review Team (ERT). This includes decision-making on movement through the phases of AQP.

Coordinates with the certificate holder on data development, collection, instructor/evaluator calibration and analysis of AQP. Coordinates communication between certificate holder and Certificate-Holding District Office (CHDO) on all issues of AQP.

Maintains expert knowledge of the assigned carriers' Indoctrination, Qualification, and

Continuing Qualification programs to ensure effective regulatory oversight. Serves as the technical
point of contact for approval of specialty curriculums and/or flight operations specification
approvals.

Provides verbal and/or written technical assistance to legal counsel, testifies at court trials and formal hearings, and gives depositions.

Responsible for the conduct of enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition.

B. Certification
Coordinates with the Principal Inspector to approve/accept or disapprove/reject AQP manuals and revisions to such manuals. Obtains amendments to previously approved manuals to accomplish the following: correct any conflict with regulatory requirements; eliminate unsafe practices; and/or improve the specificity of instruction.

Evaluates training programs to ensure that they meet the requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Approves or disapproves these training programs including flight simulators, training devices, or other such equipment used in these programs.

Coordinates with the Principal Inspector and Aircrew Program Managers on designation of check airmen and makes recommendations on the appointment of designees. Assures standardization of check airman and designees and recommends to the Principal Inspector and Aircrew Program Manager any changes which are considered necessary.

Evaluates operations and facilities by on-site inspections and review of reports by geographic inspectors or others. Negotiates changes essential or desirable in policies and procedures.

Directs or participates in proving flight evaluations to determine compliance with 14 CFR. Recommends changes that will be required prior to approval.

C. Surveillance

Responsible for monitoring all phases of Advanced Qualification Program(s) including training programs and records; training facilities; and training devices. Coordinates with and reviews reports from Geographic Inspectors and others to identify trends which indicate deterioration in the safety of flight oversight. Directs or suggests changes required to correct such trends.

Responsible for analyzing grading data for all fleets using FAA analysis software and data for trending and reporting to the Principal Inspectors and applicable program managers. Monitors and analyzes other training data and Instructor/Evaluator Quality Assurance Program data collected by the operator, but not in FAA analysis software, for trends and provides reports to the Principal Inspector and applicable program managers.

Conducts appropriate surveillance activities specifically focused on the carriers' training program and Instructor/Evaluator Programs. Maintains expert knowledge of AQP regulations and appropriate FAA Orders and Guidance material related to AQP.

Regularly meets with the assigned air carrier personnel responsible for curriculum development and AQP revisions and provides recommendations for program enhancements.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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).
  • Valid state driver's license is required.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements for an Aviation Safety Inspector in the 1825 series as outlined in the OPM qualification standards. The minimum eligibility requirements for this position are below or may be found on the following link: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1800/aviation-safety-series-1825/

General Requirements for All Positions:

  1. Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years;
  2. Valid State driver's license;
  3. Fluency in the English language;
  4. No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and
  5. 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, and must meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted) without strain;
  2. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted);
  3. Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or 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:

  1. Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) regulations; and
  2. Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.

When the predominant work involves air carrier operations, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

  1. At least 1 year of pilot experience in multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight;
  2. Not more than 2 flying accidents during the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved;
  3. Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a simulator check to Airline Transport Pilot Standard.
  4. Minimum 100 flight hours during the last 3 years;
  5. Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating (Department of Navy positions require pilot experience as demonstrated by previous ATP level performance in large multi-engine airplanes and helicopters);
  6. Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate (For positions within the Department of Navy, applicants must also be physically qualified to ride as an observer aboard squadron aircraft. In addition, must also meet physical requirements to travel and lift heavy objects while performing mishap investigations); and
  7. Minimum 1,500 total flight hours.

Note - Recency of specialized experience and the need for a valid second-class FAA medical certificate is waived for employees currently in the 1825 series.

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I, FG/GS-13 as an Aviation Safety Inspector (Air Carrier Operations) in the Federal Service. 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 may include but not limited to: the evaluation of air carrier training programs and the analysis of associated data to ensure compliance with regulations.

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://employees.faa.gov/org/linebusiness/avs/offices/afs/tools/qat/.

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

Education

Not applicable

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

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.

This is not a remotely sited position, selectee will be required to report to the FAA Flight Standards Facility Duty Location, DL CMO, Hapeville, GA, SOCM27

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.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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.

Required Documents

Only supplemental documentation will be accepted in combination with your on-line application. These documents must be uploaded to your USAJOBS profile or on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number.

NOTE:

SF-52.NOTEmployees are required to submit a copy of their SF-50 with the required information below,



If you are an FAA employee, you MUST provide a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) containing information in Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 so it can be used to verify your position title, series, grade, tenure, and organization of record by the closing date of the announcement. You may fax your SF-50 or upload it into the on-line application. If faxing the SF-50, please ensure you include the vacancy announcement number on the faxed copy.

If you are an FAA employee, you can access and print your SF-50 from the eOPF system https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Faxed, mailed or e-mailed applications cannot be accepted.
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.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE OR EDUCATION.

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)

  • Duties (be specific in describing your duties)

  • Employer's name and address

  • Supervisor name and phone number

  • Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)

  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)

  • Salary (optional)


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.

Agency contact information

Brenda K. Yee
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
AEA Regional HR Services Branch
1 Aviation Plaza, Room 207
AHF-N610
Jamaica, NY 11434
US

Next steps

Once we receive your complete application, the Human Resources Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Eligible and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

For instructions on how to check the status of your application, please go to: USAJOBS Help Guide.

Important - If you make any changes to your application, you must resubmit it. If you make changes to your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and only your previously submitted application will be evaluated.

All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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