Summary
The Geographic Program Inspector (Operations) is responsible for the performance of assigned technical administration, surveillance, and certification duties of air carriers/air operators within a geographical area.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Open to current permanent FAA employees; AVS-Wide and AMA 200
Duties
A. Technical Administration
Responsible for the geographic operations program for the office. Assures, on a continuing basis, that the operators within their jurisdiction 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. Regularly visits the air carrier's/air operator's stations and other offices to maintain contact with their local top management officials and coordinates with the principal inspector for correction of any deficiencies or discrepancies. Conducts enforcement actions and prepares final reports and recommendations on disposition. In consultation with the Principal Inspector, performs the emergency suspension of certificates or cancellation of operations specifications. Conducts or directs the reexamination of certificated airmen. Conducts investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries, and aircraft incidents and accidents. Provides verbal and/or written technical assistance to legal counsel, testifies at court trials and formal hearings, and gives dispositions.
B. Certification
Reviews manuals and determines the adequacy of operations manuals for compliance with 14 CFR. Makes recommendations to the principal inspector for 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 operations and facilities throughout the geographical area by periodic on-site inspection and the review of inspector’s report and makes recommendations of changes essential or desirable in policies and procedures to the principal inspector.
C. Surveillance
Monitors all surveillance phases of the operations on behalf of the Principal Inspector including the following: training programs and records; base and station facilities; and enroute operations (including routes, areas, and/or airports). Evaluates trends which may indicate deterioration in the safety of operations and then personally, or through assistance of other inspectors, coordinates with the Principal Inspector, and suggests changes required to correct such trends. Monitors the activities of examiner designees, check airmen, and instructors, and takes any action that may be required due to this monitoring. Advises the principal inspector, or manager of any problems and controversial situations and of suggestions to resolve such situations. Conducts an operations system analysis independently or as a team member on special inspection teams.
D. Flight Program
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. 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).
Qualifications
Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirements for an Aviation Safety Inspector in the 1825 series for the Air Carrier Aviation Operations specialty in accordance with the OPM qualification standards located at the following web address:
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: 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 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;
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. 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 Inspectors, please visit the following website:
In addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements, applicants must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (FG/GS-12 or pay band H) in the normal line of progression. Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to experience in coordinating technical instructions, policy orders and procedures through the POI to ensure uniformity of training and testing activities; conducting enforcement investigations and preparing final reports and recommendations on disposition; conducting re-examination of certificated airmen; and conducting investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries, and aircraft incidents/accidents.
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
In-grade/downgrade applications will be accepted.
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:
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.
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 section, 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.
All or none of the applicants may be interviewed.
Ingrade/Downgrade applications will be accepted.
Links to Important Information:,
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
If you need to submit additional documents to supplement your on-line application, e.g. transcripts, SF-50, or veterans' documentation, you may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS. Supplemental documentation can also be faxed to on or before the closing date of this announcement. Please include your name and the vacancy announcement number on each of your faxed pages and redact all Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as social security number and date of birth. If you do not submit the required documents, your application will be considered incomplete and you will not receive further consideration.
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 .
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 .
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.