Aviation Safety Inspector (General Aviation-Maintenance) ( Principal Maintenance Inspector)
Federal Aviation Administration
Posted: March 11, 2026 (2 days ago)
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Federal Aviation Administration
Department of Transportation
Location
Salary
$107,446 - $139,684
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Inspection & Compliance jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $88,520 - $115,079
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-12. Expert-level knowledge in field.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves monitoring and managing safety programs for foreign airlines as part of the Federal Aviation Administration, ensuring they follow international aviation rules.
It requires hands-on experience as a pilot and strong knowledge of safety regulations to evaluate and improve operations.
A good fit would be an experienced pilot with a clean safety record who enjoys travel and detailed oversight work in aviation.
Serves as an international Aviation Safety Inspector responsible for supporting, developing and managing the various International Program Division responsibilities regarding the monitoring of foreign air carriers.
OPM Qualification Standard for the Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) specialty (from the Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions) is located at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1800/aviation-safety-series-1825/ 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 and must meet all of 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.
Specialized Experience: When the predominant work involves air carrier operations, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) positions must meet all of the following requirements.
At least 1 year of pilot experience in multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight; Not more than 2 flying accidents during the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved; Professional flying skill as demonstrated in a simulator check to Airline Transport Pilot Standard.
Minimum 100 flight hours during the last 3 years; 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); 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 Minimum 1,500 total flight hours.
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 level.
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 is: responsibility for evaluation safety regulations for US and/or foreign civil aviation authorities; experience managing or coordination specific aviation programs including development of recommendations for changes/improvements; experience in international civil aviation investigation, inspection, surveillance, enforcement and certification.
The recency of specialized experience is waived for current FAA employees in the 1825 series.
Certificate and Ratings: This position requires a certificate and ratings for minimum qualification in the following specialty: Air Carrier Operations; a copy of the certificate and ratings are required for ALL candidates newly appointed to the FAA in the 1825 specialty of Air Carrier Operations.
Certificate and ratings are not required from applicants who are currently occupying (or previously held) Air Carrier Operations 1825 series position.
Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.
Security Requirements: Non-critical sensitive (2): This position requires completion & favorable adjudication of a Tier 3 (T3) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained and approved.
Major Duties:
Serves as an international Aviation Safety Inspector responsible for supporting, developing and managing the various International Program Division responsibilities regarding the monitoring of foreign air carriers.
May involve managing a specific program(s) within the branch, which includes: the foreign code share program; foreign carrier requests under 14 CFR parts 129 and 375; operations specifications; foreign ramp inspection programs; policy development; bilateral agreements and development of Flight Standards inspector guidance under applicable agency orders.
The incumbent will be responsible for applying expert knowledge of and experience with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for FAA field personnel and the public governing all matters of Air Carrier Operations safety issues.
Participates in national and international working groups and panels with other organization elements of the agency, or other government agencies, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and industry representatives for the purpose of resolving complex and controversial problems having a direct influence on the safety of assigned technical programs operations, facilities, and equipment.
Conducts or participates in group or team meetings which include representatives of other government agencies, the aviation industry, aviation organizations, state, municipal and foreign governments where assigned programs and responsibilities are involved.
Develops operational policies, including advisory circulars, inspector guidelines, and training standards, and other applicable standards in support of assigned programs.
Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of division policy in assigned program areas. Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of division policy in assigned programs areas.
Develops policies, including advisory circulars, inspector guidelines, and training standards related to certification, inspection, surveillance and operation of assigned program areas.
Reviews and evaluates, on a continuing basis, established rules and regulations to assure they have kept pace with needs to which they were directed and that they are still reasonable, necessary, and adequate.
Assures effective coordination of assigned programs and activities with Safety Assurance offices, other organizational segments of the Division, the Agency and organizations outside of the agency.
Prepares, assists, and advises on proposals under which FAA Flight Standards would work with U.S. military agencies, Department of Defense, U.S.
State Department, Office of the DOT Secretary, and foreign governments under reimbursable agreements or other International agreements and ensures coordination within International Operations Division, the Office of International Aviation (API) and others as required.
Propose realistic time scheduling in terms of clearance with DOS and other agencies, and that actions are within the framework of approved policies and procedures.
Prepares a variety of correspondence to other organizations within Flight Standards, aviation industry, other governmental agencies, Members of Congress, and the general public, much of which is highly technical and of high priority.
Assures correspondence is properly coordinated and that it is technically and grammatically accurate, clear and concise, and that its tone and content reflect the philosophy, policies, and objectives of Flight Standards and the FAA.
Performs other duties as assigned.
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