DIRECT HIRE - Aviation Safety Inspector (Flight Oversight Rotorcraft-Helicopter)
About This Position
Join the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Rotorcraft-Helicopter Flight Oversight Inspector. The FAA is a work environment rich in opportunity, teamwork, and work life balance. Benefits such as weekends off, paid holidays, steady work hours, sick/annual leave, health insurance, and many more. Begin a rewarding career with the FAA and be a part of a select group of individuals whose mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.
Qualifications
APPLICANTS FOR THIS POSITION MUST MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS (applications must show that all of the requirements are met in order to receive consideration for this position): 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 graduate or equivalent. Medical Requirements: 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.
Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Rotorcraft-Helicopter 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 printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted) without strain; Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); Not have any physical conditions 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. 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 at 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: a. Must hold a valid or expired Flight Instructor Certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter category rating or have experience serving as an instructor as part of an approved program or course (e.g., Title 14 CFR Part 121, 135, 141, or 142, or Uniformed Services) which provided instruction in a Rotorcraft-Helicopter or an approved flight simulation training device representing a Rotorcraft-Helicopter.
Must have given a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in a Rotorcraft-Helicopter, an approved flight simulation training device representing a Rotorcraft-Helicopter, or a combination of both. b. Must hold an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating or a Commercial Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating and Instrument-Helicopter rating. c. Minimum 1,500 total flight hours in an aircraft as pilot-in-command or second–in–command, 1,000 hours of which must be in helicopters. d.
Three years of experience working in an organization with an air carrier, commercial operator, or air agency certificate, an organization whose work led to the certification of individual airmen, or an organization that operated aircraft. e. Not more than two flying accidents in the last five years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved. 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 and working without clear or specific guidelines.
Work at this level is typically reviewed only to assess the impact on overall organizational objectives, for example: Director of Operations or Assistant Director of Operations for a Part 135 operator Wing/Group Director of Operations or Squadron, Company, Battalion, Wing, Group, or Regiment Commander Specialized experience at the FG-11 grade level involves a broad scope of responsibility, more variety, and less clear guidelines. 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, for example: Chief Pilot, Assistant Chief Pilot, or Domicile Chief Pilot for a Part 91, 91 K, 125, 129, or 135 fixed or rotary-wing (as applicable) operator Check Airman for a Part 91, 91K, 125, 129, or 135 fixed or rotary-wing (as applicable) 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, for example: Pilot-in-command for a Title 14 CFR Part 91,91 K, 125, 129, or 135 (9 or less) fixed or rotary wing (as applicable) operator Military Aircraft Commander Specialized experience at the FG-7 grade level involves developmental assignments which assist employees of higher grade.
Work at this level is typically subject to close review and specific guidelines to ensure compliance with instructions, for example: Second-in-command (First Officer) for a Title 14 CFR Part 91, 91K, 121, 125, 129, or 135 fixed or rotary wing (as applicable) operator
Major Duties
The Federal Aviation Administration will be participating in the Career Fair during the Lakeland Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, FL from April 14-19, 2026. FAA representatives will conduct interviews that are pre-scheduled and by appointment only. For consideration, apply to this announcement.
If found qualified, a FAA representative may contact you with additional instructions for in-person interview. Attending the Expo is not required to apply nor to be considered for this position. All applications will be reviewed and proceed through the standard selection process.
Aviation Safety Inspectors in this specialty (Rotorcraft - Helicopter FLIGHT OVERSIGHT) apply knowledge and skills typically acquired as airmen (pilots, navigators, flight instructors, etc) to develop and administer regulations and safety standards pertaining to the operation of rotorcraft. The selectee serves as a developmental performing duty as assigned without authority for actions or decisions and will be required to complete initial new hire training to include formal and on-the-job training up to 24 months. The Aviation Safety Inspector (Rotorcraft-Helicopter) Flight Oversight is responsible for the performance of assigned technical administration, certification, and surveillance duties and assures that aviation organizations and airmen comply with regulatory requirements and reports deficiencies to the principal inspector or supervisor.
Duties and responsibilities at the FG-12 level may include but are not limited to: Selectee is delegated the specific authority to make decisions as to the quality of operations activities; Inspecting at the different aviation facilities; assuring that aviation organizations and airmen comply with regulatory requirements, and reporting deficiencies to the principal inspector or supervisor; Reviewing manuals associated with certification requirements of air carriers, air agencies, and air operators for accuracy and FAR compliance; Evaluating training programs to ensure that they meet the requirements of the FARs, including simulators, training devices, and other such equipment, as well as check airmen; monitoring pilots, designated pilot examiners, check airmen, and aviation organization operations and training activities; and Taking appropriate corrective action for deficiencies noted or making recommendations to principal inspector or supervisor. Duties and responsibilities at the FG-11 level may include but are not limited to: Assisting in enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition; Participating in accident/incident and complaint investigations; Assisting in the emergency suspension of certificates and conducting reexamination of certificated airmen or assisting in recertification of an operator or agency; Providing verbal and/or written technical assistance to legal counsel, testifying at court trials and formal hearings, and giving depositions; and Duties and responsibilities at the FG-09 level may include but are not limited to: • Conducting commercial pilot flight tests in rotary-wing. • Investigating requests for waivers for general aviation operations, gathering information, making recommendations, and conducting periodic surveillance for continued compliance with waiver conditions. • Inspecting repairs and alterations made on rotary-wing. May be assigned other duties and responsibilities that are non-grade controlling.
Conditions of Employment
We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.
Education
Applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent.
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.
A permanent change of station (PCS) of $10,000 MAY be offered to applicants who meet the criteria in the FAA Travel Policy. This PCS incentive is subject to a twelve-month service commitment.
You will be notified of PCS eligibility in your offer letter. Pay rates shown are BASE Pay only. The FAA uses OPM's GS Locality Pay Tables to set locality rates
in addition to the base pay offered. The minimum locality rate is 17.06% 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.
Applicants will be required to appear in person or via ZOOM for an interview and/or other assessments to determine whether they 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 airmen certificates, ratings, and pilot logbooks or other appropriate records of flight time to substantiate that the applicant meets the requirements of this announcement. Interviews for this position are conducted at any National Centralized Hiring Process location. All, some, or none of the candidates may be interviewed. 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
Front and back of valid or expired Flight Instructor Certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter category rating or resume must reflect experience serving as an instructor as part of an approved program or course (e.g., Title 14 CFR Part 121, 135, 141, or 142, or Uniformed Services) which provided instruction in a Rotorcraft-Helicopter or an approved flight simulation training device representing a Rotorcraft-Helicopter. Documentation showing a minimum of 200 hours of flight instruction in a Rotorcraft-Helicopter, an approved flight simulation training device representing a Rotorcraft-Helicopter, or a combination of both. Front and back of an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating or a Commercial Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating and Instrument-Helicopter rating