Aviation Safety Inspector (principal Operations Inspector – Flight)
Department of Transportation
Summary
The Principal Operations Inspector (POI) is responsible for applying knowledge of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) field personnel and the public governing all matters to general aviation operations safety issues.
Duties
- The POI receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or functions.
- The POI, mostly independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work.
- The work is normally accepted without change.
- Completed work may be reviewed for adherence to FAA policy and for assurance that project requirements have been fulfilled.
- Some Fg-14 assignments involve service wide responsibility for application of expert knowledge of flight operations for advanced multiengine turbojet aircraft.
- Such employees are concerned with all aspects of the operational capabilities and limitations of the aircraft.
- Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) at the Fg-14 level establish technical procedures and performance indexes and review complete flight operations programs for leaders in the aviation industry, or organizations of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations.
- Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity.
- The following assignments are illustrative: 1.
- As a Service wide expert on a particular type of advanced multiengine turbojet aircraft: — Advises other inspectors of major changes in the operation of the aircraft; — Standardizes procedures and judgments used by inspectors to evaluate the operation of the aircraft; — Evaluates new training methods and equipment (e.g., simulators) for initial certification; — Serves on national boards that determine the minimum equipment necessary to operate a particular type of aircraft safely; and — Serves on boards that evaluate incidents, accidents, complaints, and other serious problems relating to the aircraft.
- Develops plans to resolve problems. 2.
- As the principal representative in regulatory oversight of general aviation and air carrier activities, exercises certificate authority over extensive and complex operations.
- Analyzes flight operations involving large fleets of turbojet aircraft engaged in passenger and freight service.
- (By comparison, Fg-13 employees exercise certificate authority over less complex operations or perform major portions of the certification, inspection, and surveillance under the direction of Fg-14 inspectors.)
Requirements
We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.
Required Documents
Prepare these documents before applying. Always confirm the exact list on the official announcement, as requirements vary by position:
- You may fax your Sf-50 or upload it into the on-line application.
- If faxing the Sf-50, please ensure you include the vacancy announcement number on the faxed copy.
- If you are an FAA employee, you can access and print your Sf-50 from the eOPF system https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/.
About this role
The Aviation Safety Inspector (principal Operations Inspector – Flight) position with the Department of Transportation is based in Tutuila Island, American Samoa. The Principal Operations Inspector (POI) is responsible for applying knowledge of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) field personnel and the public governing all matters to general aviation operations safety issues. The role pays $107,446 to $139,684 per year.
Day to day, the work involves the POI receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.
Who should apply
Review the announcement's Qualifications section closely, since it defines exactly what federal aviation experience this Aviation Safety Inspector (principal Operations Inspector – Flight) position requires. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Aviation Safety Inspector (principal Operations Inspector – Flight) position with the Department of Transportation in Tutuila Island, American Samoa, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.
How competitive it is
At $107,446 to $139,684 per year, this is a mid-to-senior role where a precisely tailored application matters most. Based in Tutuila Island, American Samoa, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings. The announcement closes on July 9, 2026, and federal postings can close early once enough applications arrive, so applying promptly is wise.
This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.
