Airport Certification and Safety Inspector

Summary

This position serves as an Airport Certification and Safety Inspector (Airport Safety & Operations Specialist) within the Office of Airports (ARP), Airports Safety and Standards (AAS), Airports Safety and Operations Division (AAS-300) providing technical support and expertise to FAA's national airport certification and safety program.

Duties

• Performs multiple, varying and complex assignments under the minimal direction of a manager or more experienced technical operations specialist for large work activities. Provides technical support and expertise to FAA¿s national airport certification and safety program. Assists in the development, review and revision of rules, regulations, polices and guidance concerning 14 CFR Part 139, Certification of Airports, and FAA airport safety initiatives. Supports FAA Headquarters and Regional staff in the national implementation of 14 CFR Part 139, including the evaluation and standardization of FAA Part 139 airport inspections. As a credentialed FAA Airport Certification and Safety Inspector, conducts airport certification and safety inspections throughout the US and American territories, as required. Utilizes policy, federal laws and regulations to provide guidance and technical support for airport safety, operational programs and issues for: (1) various program areas of oversight and interest within the Office of Airports; (2) internal/external stakeholders, including FAA Lines of Businesses/Staff Offices (LOBs/SOs) such as Air Traffic, Flight Standards, Runway Safety Program Office, and the Office of Accident Investigation; and (3) FAA Regional staff to ensure adherence to FAA's Compliance and Enforcement Program in accordance with Federal statutes and FAA orders and processes. Applies experience and comprehensive technical knowledge applicable to airport certification and safety as well as an understanding of new technologies and methodologies, to solve complex problems and develop improved technical processes or systems. Considers the objectives of the division and LOB/SO when developing, integrating, and implementing solutions to diverse, complex problems. Assignments frequently require knowledge and experience working across functional and/or organizational lines. Typical assignments may include complex system design and integration; extensive research and analyses; investigation and inspection activities; compliance and enforcement actions; and direct responsibility for project/program management. Supports FAA Regions with their submittals for petitions from airport operators requesting exemptions to any Part 139 requirement. Coordinates with regional FAA personnel on safety issues and incidents occurring on or near airports. Tracks regional Part 139 enforcement actions. Maintains records for ACSI credentialing and currency requirements. Conducts regional program audits for the part 139 program and other program requirements supporting airport safety and operations. Briefs FAA, Department of Transportation, NTSB and Congressional staff on matters involving airport certification and safety. Works in collaboration with other FAA LOBs/SOs, and external stakeholders to improve surface safety at airports. This includes participating in various surface safety work groups, assignments, and initiatives. Provides technical support on various Safety Management System (SMS) initiatives and programs, including SMS Panels. Supports the Airports Safety and Operations Division in the tracking and recordkeeping for National Transportation Safety Board Safety (NTSB) recommendations, Office of Inspector General (OIG), General Accounting Office (GAO) audits, and any other program auditing functions. Provides technical advice and guidance on new entrant to the National Airspace System and to the Office of Airports (ARP) Emergency Planning in coordinating support required during emergency situations. Supports various educational outreach efforts both domestically and internationally. Participates in the development of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards in support of the FAA's global aviation safety program.

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 FV-I, FG/GS-13 level. This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE IS DEFINED AS: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Experience conducting safety inspections and ensuring 14 CFR Part 139 at Medium or Large Hub Part 139 Airports. AND; Experience analyzing, developing and interpreting rules, policies and regulations regarding airport operations. AND; Experience evaluating and analyzing the effectiveness of national programs. AND; Experience effectively communicating the agency's positions on aviation programs, projects, policies and regulations through reports, briefings, presentations, meetings, etc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered. Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification. *Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.* Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA. **All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.**

Requirements

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

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. Amendment Date: 08/31/2026 Amendment Note: This announcement has been extended.