Aviation Safety Inspector, Air Carrier Operations, Principal Operations Inspector Job in FAA Flight Standards Duty Locations Nationwide

Vacancy No. AEA-FS-25-CCD-94856 Department Federal Aviation Administration
Salary $90,025.00 to $117,034.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/16/2025 Close Date 5/7/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
FAA Flight Standards Duty Locations Nationwide


Summary

The Principal Inspector Operations, Part 125 functions as the primary operations interface between assigned air carriers, operators, agencies, organizations, airmen and designees and the Federal Aviation Administration.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent AVS Line of Business including AMA-200 Employees

Duties

The Principal Inspector Operations Part 125 functions as the primary operations interface between assigned air carriers, operators, agencies, organizations, airmen and designees and the Federal Aviation Administration. Has program responsibility to assure that assigned organizations meet Federal Aviation Regulations with respect to operations programs. Determines the need for, then establishes work programs for surveillance and inspection of assigned organizations within manpower and budget limitations to assure adherence to the applicable regulations. May also perform geographic surveillance as well as other certification functions. Assures on a continuing basis that assigned organizations are properly and adequately organized, staffed, and equipped; have and conduct an adequate training program, including an acceptable record keeping system; and have facilities and procedures that meet all regulatory requirements. Chairs joint FAA-industry meetings, maintains regular contact with organizations assigned and coordinates with top management officials. Requires or directs correction of any deficiencies and discrepancies and refuses or withdraws approval if they cannot be resolved. Responsible for the conduct of enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition. Performs or supervises the emergency suspension of certificates or cancellations of operations specifications. Conducts or directs the reexamination of certificated airmen or recertification of an operator or agency. Conducts investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries and aircraft incidents and accidents. Provides verbal and written technical assistance to legal counsel, testifies at court trials and formal hearings, and gives depositions. Coordinates Minimum Equipment List (MEL) approvals with the principal airworthiness inspectors. Takes enforcement action in instances of noncompliance with the MEL. Coordinates with other inspectors for the accomplishment of non-routine air carrier surveillance. Approves or disapproves manuals and revisions to such. May require amendments to previously approved manuals to accomplish the following: correct any conflict with regulatory requirements, eliminate unsafe practices, and 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. Approves or disapproves designation or renewal of check airmen and makes recommendations on the appointment or renewal of designees. Evaluates operations and facilities by on-site inspections and review of reports by international inspectors and others. Negotiates changes essential or desirable in their policies and procedures. Determines the appropriate methods or plans for securing corrective action and determines the effectiveness of such through on-site inspection or inspector reports. Evaluates and approves or disapproves requests to operate under conditions not previously authorized and may prescribe additional conditions and limitations as appropriate. Approves and issues original operations specifications as well as amendments to them. Evaluates the safety of proposed changes in route or airport authorizations and prescribes any changes required before approval. Directs or participates in proving flight evaluations to determine compliance with FARs. Recommends changes that will be required prior to approval.

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).
  • Duty Location: Selectee will be required to report to an FAA Flight Standards Duty Location which may be discussed at selection. Position is telework eligible in accordance with Agency Policy.

Qualifications

Medical Requirements: 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:

A. Have a 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;

B. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted);

C. 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.

Specialized Experience: To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (FV-H, FG/GS-12) in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience which has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specific examples of such experience for this position include, but not limited to: - Assures assigned organizations are properly and adequately organized, staffed and equipped; have and conduct an adequate training program, including an acceptable record system; and have facilities and procedures that meet all regulatory requirements. - Conducts enforcement investigations, prepares reports and recommends disposition. - Conducts investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries and aircraft incidents and accidents. - Provides technical assistance to legal counsel; coordinates Minimum Equipment List (MEL) approvals with the principal airworthiness inspectors. - Coordinates with geographic inspectors for the accomplishment of non-routine air carrier surveillance.

In addition to the specialized experience requirement you must meet all of the following requirements for Air Carrier Operations:

1. At least 1 year of pilot experience in multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight.

2. Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a simulator check to Airline Transport Pilot Standard.

3. Possession of Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating.

4. Minimum of 100 flight hours within the last 3 years.

5. Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours.

6. Not more than 2 flying accidents in the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved.

NOTE: Recency of specialized experience is waived for current FAA employees in the 1825 series.

For more information regarding the minimum eligibility requirements for Aviation Safety Inspector's please visit the following website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs1800/1825.htm

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

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 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.

You must apply outline to receive consideration for this position. Faxed or emailed applications/resumes will not be accepted.

Work history must state job titles including specialty, series and grade level held. No references will be make from your Personnel Files, so information must be current and up to date.

Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.

All or none of the applicants may be interviewed.

Ingrade/Downgrade applications will be accepted.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

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, e.g., transcripts or veteran's documentation will be accepted in combination with your on-line application. These documents must be uploaded with your application on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number.

PLEASE ENSURE YOU INCLUDE ON YOUR RESUME A LIST OF 3 REFERENCE CONTACTS.



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

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

Cheryl Donzelli
Phone
1 (718) 553-3162
Fax
1 (718) 995-5688
Email
Cheryl.Donzelli@faa.gov
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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