Federal

Legal Instruments Examiner (Applications)

Federal Aviation Administration ยท Department of Transportation
๐Ÿ“ Oklahoma City, Oklahoma FG-7 $50,460 - $65,599/yr
Posted: Jul 8, 2026 Deadline: Jul 17, 2026 (Closes in 9 days)

About This Position

The Legal Instruments Examiner is responsible for examining airmen applications within the Civil Aviation Registry.

Qualifications

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/GS-5 grade level. Specialized experience is experience that equips the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized Experience includes experience examining airmen applications; experience analyzing and compiling legal subjects and documents to make sound decisions; experience verifying eligibility based on completeness, accuracy, relevancy, and correctness of supporting documentation; experience with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Major Duties

The Legal Instruments Examiner is responsible for examining airmen applications, supporting documents, enforcement actions, and is responsible for issuing most classes of airmen certificates and an infinite number of various ratings, type ratings, limitations, exemptions, etc. as well as responding to inquiries from other FAA lines of business, airmen, the aviation public and other governmental agencies regarding airman certification information. This is a developmental position that will require the incumbent to participate in both a formal and informal training program that includes on-the-job training and a classroom training environment. The incumbent will be exposed to almost all aspects of the journeyman level responsibilities listed below for developmental purposes.

The incumbent will perform the following duties, but in a limited and more supervised capacity than at the higher grades. Adjudicates legal instruments, applications and supporting documents for the specific certificates for which they have been trained and tested with various ratings, type ratings, limitations, exemptions, categories, etc. Communicates via oral and written explanations as to the granting or denial of airman certificates, based upon FAA regulations, policy, and guidance material, including international treaty, federal law, and legal case histories.

Makes final determination whether to issue the certificate or rating for which the airman is applying, by consideration of all available legal and regulatory guidelines contained in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), various FAA Orders, exemptions, court decisions, legal precedents, or other governing policy documents for airmen certification. Analyzes legal decisions, enforcement actions and orders to determine the effect of such instruments on the airman's ability to apply for and/or hold an airman's certificate. In the case of airmen who hold multiple certificates, the examiner must determine which certificates and ratings are affected by the legal decisions.

Incumbent must determine, from careful analysis of the progression and status of the case, when the airman is qualified for reinstatement or reapplication. Compiles extensive information on legal subjects and documents from the airmen records, and is responsible for the completeness, accuracy, relevancy and correctness of legal content of each airman's complete file. These files are certified by the Airmen Certification Branch and are accepted as evidence in all courts of law in the United States.

Evaluates airmen records for the purpose of evidentiary hearings, especially involving cases of suspected fraud or misrepresentation on airman applications. Incumbent interfaces extensively with FAA Regional Counsel Offices in preparation for cases under the FAA Drug Enforcement Assistance Act of 1988 and in accordance with U.S.C 44703 and may be called to testify in these cases and to present evidence. The position requires an in-depth knowledge of the FAA Drug Enforcement Assistance Act of 1988, and knowledge of the FAA's responsibilities under the Act.

This will require legal research and independent determination of findings regarding the airman's worthiness to hold an FAA airman certificate and involves liaison with other governmental agencies in the proper disposition of records, evidence, and outcomes of the application process. Processes all telephone and email inquiries and provides guidance to airmen, members of Congress, airlines, attorneys, insurance companies, foreign governments, law enforcement agencies, FAA regional and field offices, TSA, NTSB, GAO, OIG, AOV, and other sources. Makes determinations as to what information can be released from the airmen records, and to whom it can be released.

Analyzes incoming mail, composes technical letters, correction notices and provides instruction/information to the clerks for response to public inquiries. Performs other duties as assigned.

Conditions of Employment

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

Education

Information Regarding KSAs: 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, 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. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA); listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration.

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 Notes: Interviews may be conducted IAW FAA Policy and applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement. To be filled within any section of AFB-720. To be filled at the FG-7 Level ONLY.

Full promotion potential to the FG-10 Level: 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.

Applicants must apply on-line to receive consideration for this vacancy announcement. Faxed, mailed, or emailed applications cannot be accepted. Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.

Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA. Additional information regarding living in Oklahoma can be found at www.abetterlifeokc.com To check receipt of submitted documents, please email [email protected]. 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. 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.

Required Documents

Documentation, e.g. Notification of Personnel Action (Current SF-50), etc. will be accepted in combination with your on-line application and must be uploaded or submitted to [email protected] on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number.

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 Legal Instruments Examiner (Applications) position at Federal Aviation Administration?
The salary range for this position is $50,460 - $65,599/yr. This is a FG-7 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Legal Instruments Examiner (Applications) job located?
This position is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
Information Regarding KSAs: 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, 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. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA); listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration.
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 Jul 17, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
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.