DIRECT HIRE - Aviation Safety Inspector - Airworthiness Job in FAA Flight Standards Duty Locations Nationwide

Vacancy No. FAA-AHF-26-ACM-97106 Department Federal Aviation Administration
Salary $52,727.00 to $99,404.00 Grade 9 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/30/2026 Close Date 2/13/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
FAA Flight Standards Duty Locations Nationwide


Summary

Join the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an Air Carrier Maintenance Inspector. The FAA is a work environment rich in teamwork and work life balance. Enjoy benefits such as weekends off, paid holiday, steady work hours, sick and annual leave, health insurance, and more. Begin a rewarding career with the FAA and be part of a select group of individuals whose mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world!

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Special authorities

Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.

Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens; VRA; 30% or more; Individuals with Disabilities.

Duties

Aviation Safety Inspectors in this specialty (Air Carrier Maintenance) apply knowledge and skills typically acquired as repairman of aircraft, aircraft parts, or avionics equipment to develop and administer regulations and safety standards pertaining to the airworthiness and maintenance of aircraft and related equipment.

Candidate must complete an extensive training program to include formal and on-the-job training up to and possibly 24 months regardless of grade level.

Aviation Safety Inspectors (Airworthiness) apply knowledge and skills typically acquired as repairmen of aircraft and aircraft parts or avionics equipment to develop and administer regulations and safety standards pertaining to the airworthiness and maintenance of aircraft and related equipment. They engage primarily in the following types of assignments:

  • Evaluating mechanics and repair facilities for initial certification and continuing adequacy;
  • Evaluating the mechanic's training program;
  • Inspecting aircraft and related equipment for airworthiness; and
  • Evaluating the maintenance aspects of programs of air carriers and similar commercial operations. The evaluations may include the adequacy of maintenance facilities, equipment and procedures; the competence of employees; the adequacy of the program or schedule for periodic maintenance and overhauls; and the airworthiness of the aircraft.

Safety Inspectors (Airworthiness) may perform a variety of other inspections, investigations and advisory duties however, the primary requirement for positions in this specialty is knowledge and skill pertaining to the maintenance and airworthiness of aircraft.

Inspectors are required to travel frequently and to occasionally work irregular duty hours.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must include FRONT and BACK of FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings.

Qualifications

OPM Qualifications Standard for Aviation Safety Series, FG-1825 Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

  • 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.

Aviation Safety Inspector positions have job-related medical requirements. When applicable, applicants MUST meet job-related medical requirements which will be assessed and validated during the pre-employment process.

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:

  1. 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);

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

  3. 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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level in the Federal Service.

Specialized experience equivalent to the FG-7 level includes duties such as a Mechanic for a Title 14 CFR Part 91, 91K, 121, 125, or 135 operator.

Specialized experience at the FG-9 level involves assignments involving familiar aircraft, facilities and equipment. Work at this level is typically subject to review and specific guidelines to ensure compliance with instructions, such as duties as a Lead Mechanic or Inspector for a Part 121, or 135 operator.

Specialized experience at the FG-11 grade level involves assignments with a broad scope of responsibility, more variety, and less clear guidelines. Work at this level is typically subject to review to assure compliance with organization policies or regulations, and specific guidelines to ensure compliance with organization policies or regulations, such as duties as a General Foreman, Foreman, Shift Supervisor, or Shift Manager for a Part 121, 135, or 145 certificate holder.

Specialized experience at the FG-12 grade level involves a wide range of assignments or a few highly complex assignments requiring planning and organization, setting priorities without clear or specific guidelines. Work at this level is typically reviewed only to assess the impact on overall organizational objectives, such as duties as a Manager above General Foreman/Supervisory Inspector for a Title 14 CFR Part 121, or 135 operator.

Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history.

In addition, applicants MUST meet all of the following:

  • Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and systems of multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight maintained under an airworthiness maintenance and inspection program;

  • Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency;

  • Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness;

  • Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years; and

  • FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings.

Education

Applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent.

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

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. On-the-Spot will be used to fill this position. The 'Rule of Three', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

Not all duty locations are eligible to receive the PCS incentive. If your location is eligible, you will be notified in your offer letter.

The Flight Standards Service utilizes a National Centralized Hiring Process (NCHP), for standardized interviewing, screening, and verification of qualifications and experience of Aviation Safety Inspector applicants.

Interviews will be conducted over the phone or via Zoom to determine whether the candidates possess the necessary qualifications, competencies and personal qualities to successfully perform Aviation Safety Inspector duties. Applicants will be questioned about information on their application and will be required to show appropriate airman certificates, ratings, and pilot logbooks or other appropriate records of flight time to substantiate that the applicant meets the requirements of this announcement.

THE LINK BELOW WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TIPS to assist in the application process.

https://www.faa.gov/jobs/career_fields/aviation_careers/asi/helpful_hints/

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.

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

Must include a front and back copy of your FAA Mechanic Certificate.

Resume MUST reflect aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency.



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

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.

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.

Agency contact information

Aviation Careers
Phone
1 (405) 954-4657
Email
asi-atss-hiring@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
Aviation Careers Branch
6500 S. Macarthur Blvd, HQ Room 139
AHF-S300
Oklahoma City, OK 73169
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.