Aviation Safety Inspector, Poi – Flight (principal Operations Inspector – Flight Program)
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 APO provides policy assistance to field level Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) on difficult or complex policy interpretations.
- 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.
- ASIs at the Fg-13 level issue certificates to and monitor (1) a large and complex aviation organization or (2) a number of smaller organizations that, together, are comparable in complexity to one large one.
- They are the primary contact point with the aviation organization(s).
- They may decide on issuance of the original certificates.
- They evaluate and decide upon proposals to change the authorized programs of the organizations.
- They continuously monitor the activities of organizations to determine whether they are following their authorized program, Federal regulations, and good safety practices.
- (By comparison, Gs-12 employees issue certificates to small and uncomplicated organizations.) Fg-13 assignments are characterized by one or more of the following: 1.
- Multiengine turboprop, turbojet, or rotorcraft helicopter aircraft; 2.
- A variety of flight operations with diverse types of aircraft which may include turbine powered aircraft and unmanned aircraft; or 3.
- Novel and complex aviation operations.
- (By comparison, similar assignments at the Gs-12 level involve smaller turboprop or large piston-engine aircraft.) Fg-13 employees plan and conduct their assignments with substantial technical independence.
- They receive administrative and policy guidance from their supervisors and policy makers.
- They also obtain technical advice from higher-level inspectors who are experts who have overall program responsibility.
- They independently plan and carry out a work program to meet the needs and monitor the activities of the organizations for which they have certification responsibility.
- The scope and complexity of the work program may be such as to require the occasional assistance of other employees to conduct inspections and evaluate operations.
- The POI applies a mastery knowledge level of the appropriate specialization and a broad knowledge of the line of business mission and goals to assigned programs and areas of responsibility.
- The POI plans and directs the use of time and resources to accomplish organizational objectives.
- He or she defines, organizes, and uses resources to accomplish work activities within established schedules, analyzes program requirements and accomplishments, and makes or directs adjustments as necessary to address organizational needs.
- Guidelines and precedents are frequently inadequate for dealing with novel or complex operations.
- Fg-13 employees understand and apply the basic principles of aviation safety and interpret the intent of the regulations.
- At Fg-13, contacts are frequently with owners and top managers of aviation corporations and involve negotiating and resolving the full range of issues and problems that confront large aviation organizations.
- Occasionally issues are controversial, arousing considerable public interest.
- ASIs at the Fg-13 level participate extensively in the certification inspection and surveillance of highly complex air carrier operations where principal program responsibility is vested in an aviation safety inspector of higher grade.
- These Fg-13 employees have broad authority to negotiate with carrier management and make technical determinations within the coverage of approved specifications and policy manuals.
- (By comparison, Gs-12 employees deal with highly complex aviation organizations on narrower, more specific assignments.) The POI provides guidance to field level staff to solve difficult technical issues.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
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, Poi – Flight (principal Operations Inspector – Flight Program) 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 $90,925 to $118,204 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, Poi – Flight (principal Operations Inspector – Flight Program) position requires. It is graded at Gs-12, which sets both the pay band and the experience reviewers expect you to document. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Aviation Safety Inspector, Poi – Flight (principal Operations Inspector – Flight Program) position with the Department of Transportation in Tutuila Island, American Samoa, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.
How competitive it is
At $90,925 to $118,204 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.
