Federal

Aviation Safety Technician

Federal Aviation Administration ยท Department of Transportation
๐Ÿ“ Watkins, Colorado FG-8/9 $62,308 - $82,587/yr
Posted: Feb 7, 2026 Deadline: Feb 27, 2026 (Closes in 12 days days left)

About This Position

Incumbent serves as an Aviation Safety Technician (AST) with the Denver FSDO providing technical support to Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI's) and the public. Performs or assists with a wide range of certification, surveillance, and investigation duties requiring research and evaluation in accordance with current FAA safety directives/orders.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position at the FG-8 grade, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FG/GS-7 level. Specialized experience is: 1) demonstrated accomplishment in practical technical aviation operations; 2) computer skills or knowledge of common software applications; 3) analytical skills, interpersonal skills and communication skills. To qualify for this position at the FG-9, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-E, GS-/FG-8 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: 1) demonstrated accomplishment in practical technical aviation operations; 2) experience in using computerized database systems; 3) experience in preparing technical reports; and 4) experience in researching, analyzing and providing recommendations. In addition, experience must also include the following: 1) experience in gathering and compiling aviation safety data; 2) experience in assisting in aviation investigations such as complaints, occurrences, incidents, accidents and/or violations. Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may impact rating or may result in not being considered for the job. Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. This position may be filled at the FG-8 or FG-9. Identification of promotion in the vacancy announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon the selectee meeting training, qualification requirements, and recommendation by the supervisor.

Major Duties

Provides expert technical knowledge and support to aviation safety inspectors, the general public, stakeholders, and airmen regarding a wide variety of aviation-related topics. Extracts safety data and information from FAA records to identify trends for items that affect aviation safety and enters technical findings in agency approved databases. This individual will provide technical assistance and/or support with certification, surveillance, investigation, and/or enforcement, examples include, but are not limited to: Certification Support โ€ข Provides technical support to ASI's during certification of operators and air agencies. โ€ข Reviews airmen certification files, submitted by designees for accuracy. โ€ข Reviews inspection authorization files for renewal eligibility. โ€ข Conducts Operational Color Vision Tests. โ€ข Reviews designee management system to determine renewal eligibility. โ€ข Compiles data for technical reports. Surveillance Support โ€ข Assists ASI's with surveillance of aviation events. โ€ข Assists in drafting and issuing waivers and authorizations. Investigation Support โ€ข Drafts Enforcement Investigative Reports (EIR) for review and final approval by an ASI โ€ข Acts as the Point of Contact (POC) for safety assets (PPE) related to accident investigations. Enforcement Support Incumbent will be responsible for enforcement functions including: conducting violations, voluntary disclosure, suspect illegal charters, incidents, navigation and altitude deviation investigations. Other โ€ข Provides technical support for special inspections, including a variety of the functions described in the previous paragraphs. โ€ข May conduct meetings or portions of meetings in support of technical work functions. โ€ข Prepares technical correspondence in support of assigned work functions. โ€ข Provides administrative support and project tracking utilizing required computer software.

Conditions of Employment

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

Education

Education is not applicable.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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.

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, the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the 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 WORK HISTORY THAT DESCRIBES HOW YOU MEET THE ANSWER YOU CHOSE FOR EACH KSA. Moderate Risk (5): This position requires completion & favorable adjudication of a Moderate Risk Background Investigation (Tier 2) background investigation prior to appointment, unless waiver is obtained. This is a bargaining unit position, represented by the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (www.passnational.org). Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

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. 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. 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.

Required Documents

If you want consideration for one or more of the Special Hiring Authorities, documentation that must be submitted at time of application can be found at Direct Hiring Authorities | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov). Applicants must apply online. Faxed, mailed or emailed applications cannot be accepted. Additional documents to supplement your application (i.e. transcripts, SF-50, or veteran's documents) may be uploaded in USAJOBS or faxed to (206) 231-4150 on or before the closing date of this announcement. Include your name & the announcement number on each of your faxed pages. All Veterans: If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit either a DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member 4 Copy or equivalent), or a document from the armed forces certifying that within 120 days you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions. If you are claiming 10 point preference, you must also submit a completed SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference, and supporting documents outlined on the SF-15. Documents must be uploaded or faxed to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office listed in this announcement and all documents must be received by the closing date of the announcement. If you fail to submit documentation, you will be assessed as a non-veteran. If you are claiming 10 point preference but fail to submit the supporting documents outlined on the SF-15, you will be tentatively assessed as a 5 point preference eligible provided your DD Form 214 reflects that you have the service required to qualify for preference. Documents must be uploaded or faxed to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office listed in this announcement and all documents must be received by the closing date of the announcement. If you fail to submit documentation, you will be assessed as a non-veteran. Veterans currently on active duty claiming veterans' preference: You will be granted tentative preference if you submit a document from the armed forces certifying that within 120 days you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions and your application shows that you have the required service. Prior to being appointed, you must provide to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office a DD Form 214 documenting discharge/release and showing that the service was honorable or general. If you are on terminal leave, you must provide documentation certifying authorized terminal leave. If you want consideration for one or more of the Special Hiring Authorities, documentation that must be submitted at time of application can be found at Direct Hiring Authorities | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Aviation Safety Technician position at Federal Aviation Administration?
The salary range for this position is $62,308 - $82,587/yr. This is a FG-8/9 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Aviation Safety Technician job located?
This position is located in Watkins, Colorado. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
To qualify for this position at the FG-8 grade, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FG/GS-7 level. Specialized experience is: 1) demonstrated accomplishment in practical technical aviation operations; 2) computer skills or knowledge of common software application...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Feb 27, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What does FG-8/9 mean?
FG-8/9 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.