What are the responsibilities and job description for the Aviation Safety Inspector Airworthiness position at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)?
Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
Job Summary
This position is that of Aviation Airworthiness Officer (AAO) for the USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Wildlife Services (WS) Aviation Safety Center (ASC). As the AAO you will function as the AAO for aviation functions within the WS program and oversees airworthiness activities that fall within the WS aviation management program. Three position types are included: Fixed Wing (Western US), Fixed/Rotor Wing (Central US), and Rotor Wing (Eastern US).
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Minimum Eligibility Requirements General Requirements for All Positions: 1. Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years; 2. Valid State driver's license; 3. Fluency in the English language; 4. No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and 5. High school diploma or equivalent. Medical Requirements for All Positions: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, and must meet all of the following requirements: 1. Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted) without strain; 2. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); 3. Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft. When the predominant work involves general aviation maintenance, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements. 1. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness; 2. Maintenance experience with aircraft 12,500 pounds or less maximum certificated takeoff weight; 3. Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state or Federal governmental agency; 4. Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years; 5. FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings with current Inspection Authorization endorsement; and In addition to meeting the above criteria you must also meet the following qualifications: FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Fixed Wing (Western US): Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station, air carrier or airline repair facility, military repair facility or local, state or federal government agency with responsibility for certifying airworthiness. Must have experience in the maintenance, repair and modification of steel tube and fabric Piper PA18 type aircraft. Experience obtaining FAA approval for manuals, inspection programs, major repairs, major alterations or other documentation related to aircraft continued airworthiness. Fixed/Rotor Wing (Central US) Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station, air carrier or airline repair facility, military repair facility or local, state or federal government agency with responsibility for certifying airworthiness. Must have experience in the maintenance, repair and modification of steel tube and fabric Piper PA18 type aircraft. Must have experience in the maintenance, repair and modification of single engine turbine powered helicopters such as Bell 206B and Hughes/MD 500 series. Experience obtaining FAA approval for manuals, inspection programs, major repairs, major alterations or other documentation related to aircraft continued airworthiness. Rotor Wing (Eastern US): Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station, air carrier or airline repair facility, military repair facility or local, state or federal government agency with responsibility for certifying airworthiness Must have experience in the maintenance, repair and modification of single engine turbine powered helicopters such as Bell 206B and Hughes/MD 500 series. Experience obtaining FAA approval for manuals, inspection programs, major repairs, major alterations or other documentation related to aircraft continued airworthiness. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: Transcripts are not required. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Major Duties
The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.The duties may include, but are not limited to:Develop airworthiness safety program requirements for WS aviation activities.Assists the WS Aviation Management Officer (AMO) in conducting investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries, and aircraft incidents and accidents.Provides verbal and/or written technical assistance to legal counsel, testifies at court trials and formal hearings, and gives depositions as directed by WS leadership.Assure that agency contractors are properly and adequately organized, staffed, and equipped.Conduct inspections to verify certification requirements (both fixed-wing and helicopter) for all agency and contract aircraft.Evaluate requests from agency and contract pilots/mechanics to make alterations to aircraft and approve or disapprove these requests.Provide guidance to agency and contract pilots and designated maintenance professionals regarding maintenance procedures and record keeping.Review and determine adequacy of manuals associated with the WS airworthiness safety and maintenance programs and revisions.Analyze trends to detect a deterioration in the airworthiness safety and maintenance program.
Position Start Date:
04/14/2026
Position Close Date:
04/20/2026
Salary Offered: 88621 - 130786 USD Per Year
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!
Job Summary
This position is that of Aviation Airworthiness Officer (AAO) for the USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Wildlife Services (WS) Aviation Safety Center (ASC). As the AAO you will function as the AAO for aviation functions within the WS program and oversees airworthiness activities that fall within the WS aviation management program. Three position types are included: Fixed Wing (Western US), Fixed/Rotor Wing (Central US), and Rotor Wing (Eastern US).
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Minimum Eligibility Requirements General Requirements for All Positions: 1. Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years; 2. Valid State driver's license; 3. Fluency in the English language; 4. No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and 5. High school diploma or equivalent. Medical Requirements for All Positions: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, and must meet all of the following requirements: 1. Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted) without strain; 2. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); 3. Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft. When the predominant work involves general aviation maintenance, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements. 1. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness; 2. Maintenance experience with aircraft 12,500 pounds or less maximum certificated takeoff weight; 3. Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state or Federal governmental agency; 4. Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years; 5. FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings with current Inspection Authorization endorsement; and In addition to meeting the above criteria you must also meet the following qualifications: FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Fixed Wing (Western US): Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station, air carrier or airline repair facility, military repair facility or local, state or federal government agency with responsibility for certifying airworthiness. Must have experience in the maintenance, repair and modification of steel tube and fabric Piper PA18 type aircraft. Experience obtaining FAA approval for manuals, inspection programs, major repairs, major alterations or other documentation related to aircraft continued airworthiness. Fixed/Rotor Wing (Central US) Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station, air carrier or airline repair facility, military repair facility or local, state or federal government agency with responsibility for certifying airworthiness. Must have experience in the maintenance, repair and modification of steel tube and fabric Piper PA18 type aircraft. Must have experience in the maintenance, repair and modification of single engine turbine powered helicopters such as Bell 206B and Hughes/MD 500 series. Experience obtaining FAA approval for manuals, inspection programs, major repairs, major alterations or other documentation related to aircraft continued airworthiness. Rotor Wing (Eastern US): Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station, air carrier or airline repair facility, military repair facility or local, state or federal government agency with responsibility for certifying airworthiness Must have experience in the maintenance, repair and modification of single engine turbine powered helicopters such as Bell 206B and Hughes/MD 500 series. Experience obtaining FAA approval for manuals, inspection programs, major repairs, major alterations or other documentation related to aircraft continued airworthiness. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: Transcripts are not required. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Major Duties
The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.The duties may include, but are not limited to:Develop airworthiness safety program requirements for WS aviation activities.Assists the WS Aviation Management Officer (AMO) in conducting investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries, and aircraft incidents and accidents.Provides verbal and/or written technical assistance to legal counsel, testifies at court trials and formal hearings, and gives depositions as directed by WS leadership.Assure that agency contractors are properly and adequately organized, staffed, and equipped.Conduct inspections to verify certification requirements (both fixed-wing and helicopter) for all agency and contract aircraft.Evaluate requests from agency and contract pilots/mechanics to make alterations to aircraft and approve or disapprove these requests.Provide guidance to agency and contract pilots and designated maintenance professionals regarding maintenance procedures and record keeping.Review and determine adequacy of manuals associated with the WS airworthiness safety and maintenance programs and revisions.Analyze trends to detect a deterioration in the airworthiness safety and maintenance program.
Position Start Date:
04/14/2026
Position Close Date:
04/20/2026
Salary Offered: 88621 - 130786 USD Per Year
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!