Aviation Safety Inspector (Cabin Safety)

Federal Aviation Administration•Phoenix, AZ

3h•Onsite

About The Position

The Aviation Safety Inspector (Cabin Safety) serves as a resource and technical authority in an assigned field office on cabin safety requirements affecting civil aviation. The inspector provides technical support for assigned air carriers and air operators and ensures they comply with applicable Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), FAA policy and guidance, and approved programs. The work is performed under the general direction of a Supervisory Principal Inspector or Front Line Manager. The role covers technical administration, certification, and surveillance. It includes planning and conducting surveillance of training instructors, company training programs, and cabin safety operations across an operator’s aircraft fleets; investigating complaints, inquiries, incidents, and accidents; conducting enforcement investigations; and advising on training and operational safety. The inspector also evaluates operator certification plans, manuals, training facilities and equipment, and participates in FAA and industry projects and committees. This is not a virtual or remote-sited position.

Requirements

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-H or FG/GS-12 as an Aviation Safety Inspector.
Specialized experience must provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the position’s duties; examples include conducting flight attendant training under applicable FARs and FAA-approved programs, investigating complaints and aircraft incidents or accidents, conducting enforcement investigations and preparing reports and recommendations, and monitoring and evaluating company training programs for regulatory compliance and safe operating practices.
No more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last five years.
Valid state driver’s license.
Fluency in English.
No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Physically able to perform the duties safely and efficiently, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Meet minimum medical requirements: good distant vision in each eye and ability to read printed materials without strain (glasses or contact lenses permitted); ability to hear conversational speech (hearing aid permitted); and no physical condition that would create a hazard or interfere with flying as a passenger in various aircraft.
Applicants who do not require a valid second-class FAA medical certificate and are tentatively selected must provide documentation from a board-certified physician that they meet minimum medical requirements, or undergo an individualized assessment if they do not meet those requirements but may otherwise be qualified.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
Submit an SF-50.
Work history must state job titles, including specialty, series, and grade level held.
Meet qualification requirements by the vacancy announcement closing date and satisfy applicable security requirements.

Responsibilities

Develop a work program for periodic surveillance of training instructors, company training programs, and all phases of air carrier cabin safety operations.
Determine through surveillance and investigation whether training facilities are adequately organized and equipped, staffed with qualified instructors, and conducting flight attendant training in accordance with applicable CFRs and FAA-approved programs.
Serve as technical advisor to the Principal Operations Inspector on assigned areas of an operator’s training program.
Coordinate technical instructions, policy orders, and procedures through the POI and relevant FAA personnel to standardize training activities.
Investigate public complaints, congressional inquiries, aircraft incidents, and accidents.
Conduct enforcement investigations and prepare final reports and recommendations on their disposition.
Provide technical assistance to legal counsel, testify at court trials and formal hearings, and give depositions.
Participate in FAA special projects to improve cabin safety procedures and policies; conduct evaluations, assessments, and interviews; and prepare recommendations and summary reports.
Participate as a National Resource in FAA Headquarters programs and projects.
Participate in domestic and international committees evaluating air carrier certification of new aircraft types.
Evaluate proposed certification plans for new aircraft types, prepare critiques of surveillance, and report outcomes to the POI.
Perform initial certification of new operators in cabin-safety-related areas and review documents and plans for compliance with CFRs, FAA policy, and guidance.
Support other certificate holders during certification, as needed.
Review manuals and revisions related to assigned cabin safety programs and recommend approval or disapproval.
Monitor and evaluate company training programs for compliance with CFRs, national and regional directives, and safe operating practices.
Recommend changes to training programs, including cabin simulators, training devices, and other equipment; recommend manual amendments to address regulatory conflicts, unsafe practices, or unclear instructions.
Attend FAA and company operations meetings.
Evaluate cabin simulators, training devices, and other training aids for compliance with their original approval.
Evaluate operations and facilities through on-site inspections and review of reports from geographic inspectors.
Identify trends indicating deterioration in cabin safety functions and recommend corrective action.
Participate in cabin-safety-related incident and accident investigations involving assigned air carriers.