Federal
DIRECT HIRE - Aviation Safety Inspector Airworthiness (General Aviation Maintenance)
Federal Aviation Administration · Department of Transportation
About This Position
Join the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a General Aviation 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 in the world!
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: 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. 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 FG-7, FG-9, FG-11, or FG-12 level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. 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 aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness; Maintenance experience with 12,500 pounds or less maximum certificated takeoff weight; Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state or Federal government agency; Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years; and FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings. Specialized experience equivalent to the FG-7 level includes duties such as a Mechanic for a part 145 operator with airframe and power plant ratings. 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 for a part 121, 135, or 145 operator. Specialized experience at the FG-11 grade level involves a broad scope of responsibility, more variety, and less clear guidelines such as duties as a Quality Auditor for a Title 14 CFR Part 121, or 135; General Foreman, Foreman, Shift Supervisor, or Shift Manager for a Part 121, 135, or 145; or Supervisory Inspector for a Part 91, 91K, 121, 125, 135, or 145 repair station. Work at this level is typically subject to review to assure compliance with organized policies or regulations, and specific guidelines to ensure compliance with organizational policies or regulations. Specialized experience at the FG-12 involves a wide range of assignments or a few highly complex assignments, requiring planning and organization, setting priorities and working without clear or specific guidelines such as Manager above General Foreman/Supervisory Inspector for a title 14 CFR Part 121 or 135 operator or Manager above General Foreman/Supervisory inspector for a Part 145 repair station with airframe and/or power plant ratings. Work at this level is typically reviewed only to assess the impact on overall organizational objectives.
Major Duties
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. Duties at the FG-9 grade level may include but are not limited to the following: Assisting in enforcement investigation and preparation of final reports; Participating in accident/incident and complaint investigation; and Assisting in the re-examination of certificated airmen or recertification of an operator or agency. Duties at the FG-11 grade level may include but are not limited to the following: Assuring that aviation organization and airmen comply with regulatory requirements and reports deficiencies to the principal inspector or supervisor; Providing assistance in the evaluation of air carriers, air agencies, and air operators and making recommendations to the principal inspector or supervisor; and Assisting in the recertification of an operator or agency. Duties at the FG-12 grade level include but are not limited to the following: 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. Aviation 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.
Conditions of Employment
We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent required.
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 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. The Flight Standards Service utilizes a National Centralized Hiring Process, for standardized interviewing, screening, and verification of qualifications and experience of Aviation Safety Inspector applicants. Interviews for the Aviation Safety Inspector-General Aviation Maintenance positions are conducted at any National Centralized Hiring Process (NCHP) location or via ZOOM, to determine whether they possess the necessary qualifications, competencies and personal qualities to successfully perform Aviation Safety Inspector duties. If contacted for an interview, interview travel expenses may be reimbursed. 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/ PCS incentive is subject to a twelve-month service commitment. Not all locations are eligible for PCS as not all locations are considered hard to fill. 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. 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
Resume should include the FAR part number that each of your employer's operated under and the aircraft for which you have experience. Front and back copy of your FAA Mechanic Certificate is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the DIRECT HIRE - Aviation Safety Inspector Airworthiness (General Aviation Maintenance) position at Federal Aviation Administration?
The salary range for this position is $52,727 - $99,404/yr. This is a FG-9/12 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the DIRECT HIRE - Aviation Safety Inspector Airworthiness (General Aviation Maintenance) job located?
This position is located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
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 performan...
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 13, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What does FG-9/12 mean?
FG-9/12 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.