Aviation Safety Inspector (Air Carrier Operations) (APOI)

About the opportunity

The Assistant Principal Oversight Inspector (APOI) serves as a full assistant to a Principal Inspector performing a full range of certification, surveillance, and inspection duties for assigned air carriers, air operators, air agencies, airmen, and designees. The incumbent has program responsibility to assure assigned organizations meet Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) with respect to flight operations programs. The role involves technical administration, evaluating training programs, conducting investigations, monitoring facility operations, and ensuring regulatory compliance without acting as a required crewmember or safety pilot.

Salary and benefits

• Salary ranging from $90,925 to $118,204 per year (with locality pay rates ranging from $108,810 to $144,126 depending on location)
• Federal employee benefits including health, retirement, and leave programs

Who can apply?

• 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
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Physical and medical qualifications including good distant vision, hearing abilities, and possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate
• At least 1 year of pilot experience in multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight
• Not more than 2 flying accidents during the last 5 years in which the applicant's pilot error was involved
• Professional flying skill demonstrated in a simulator check to Airline Transport Pilot Standard, with a minimum of 100 flight hours during the last 3 years
• Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating
• Minimum 1,500 total flight hours
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-H or GS/FG-12 level involving technical functions related to certification, surveillance, investigation, and preparing final reports for FAR Part 121 air carriers/air operators
• U.S. citizenship (applications from noncitizens are not accepted)

Required documents

• Transcripts, SF-50, or veterans' documentation if applicable
• SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) containing information in Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 if applying as a current FAA employee
• Resume (limited to two pages)

When to apply

• Date Posted: 2026-08-26
• Application Close Date: 2026-09-15 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

How to apply

• Apply online through USAJOBS by the closing date
• Ensure your resume includes job title, series, grade, employer name, start/end dates, number of hours worked per week, and detailed work experience aligning with qualifications
• Upload required documents to your USAJOBS account or fax them to 907-271-5367 with your name and vacancy announcement number
• Complete one or multiple assessments if required as part of the evaluation process
• Resubmit your application if you make any changes before the deadline

Additional information

• Announcement Number: AAL-AVS-26-AKRW-99672
• Locations: Charlotte, North Carolina and Cincinnati, Ohio
• Position may be subject to a background investigation and a one-year probationary period
• May require filing a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty
• Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives are not required; specific examples within work history should reflect the highest level of ability