Aviation Safety Technician

Summary

Incumbent serves as an Aviation Safety Technician (AST) providing technical support to Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI’s) and the public. Performs or assists with a wide range of certification, surveillance, and investigation duties requiring research and evaluation in accordance with current FAA safety directives/orders.

The duty station is Helena, MT.

Opening: 12/30/2025 to 01/08/2026

Salary: $55,328 to $79,443 per year (includes 17.06% locality pay)

Pay scale & grade: FG 8 – 9

Location:

Helena, MT (1 vacancy)

Telework eligible:
Yes – Situational telework may be permitted

Travel required:

25% or less

Relocation expenses reimbursed:
No

Appointment type:
Permanent

Work schedule:

Full‑time

Service:
Excepted

Promotion potential: FG09

Job family (Series): 1802 Compliance Inspection and Support

Supervisory status:
No

Security clearance:
Other

Drug test:
No

Bargaining unit status:
Yes – Represented by PASS:
Flight Standards Services

Control number:

Announcement number: AAL‑AVS‑26‑AKWL‑96717

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or qualifying spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran.

Military spouses of active duty service members or 100% disabled/spouse deceased on active duty.

Individuals eligible under Schedule

A.

Peace Corps and Ameri Corps Vista alumni (service: 2+ years or 1 year).

Other special authorities:
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.

Provides expert technical knowledge and support to aviation safety inspectors, the general public, stakeholders, and airmen regarding a wide variety of aviation‑related topics. Extracts safety data and information from FAA records to identify trends that affect aviation safety and enters technical findings in agency‑approved databases. Offers technical assistance and/or support with certification, surveillance, investigation, or enforcement.

• Provides technical support to ASI’s during certification of operators and air agencies.
• Reviews airmen certification files, submitted by designees for accuracy.
• Reviews inspection authorization files for renewal eligibility.
• Conducts Operational Color Vision Tests.
• Reviews designee management system to determine renewal eligibility.
• Compiles data for technical reports.

• Assists ASI’s with surveillance of aviation events.
• Assists in drafting and issuing waivers and authorizations.

• Drafts Enforcement Investigative Reports (EIR) for review and final approval by an ASL.
• Acts as the point of contact (POC) for safety assets (PPE) related to accident investigations.

• Responsible for enforcement functions including conducting violations, voluntary disclosure, suspect illegal charters, incidents, navigation and altitude deviation investigations.

• Provides technical support for special inspections.
• May conduct meetings or portions of meetings in support of technical work functions.
• Prepares technical correspondence in support of assigned work functions.
• Provides administrative support and project tracking utilizing required computer software.

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Position is designated as Moderate Risk; a background investigation may be required.

To qualify for FG‑8, demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FG/GS‑7 level.

Specialized experience is defined as:

• demonstrated accomplishment in practical technical aviation operations
• experience in using computerized database systems
• experience in preparing technical reports
• experience in researching, analyzing, and providing recommendations

To qualify for FG‑9, demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FG/GS‑8 level. Specialized experience is similar and must also include:

• experience in gathering and compiling aviation safety data
• experience in assisting in aviation investigations such as complaints, occurrences, incidents, accidents and/or violations

Applicants should provide detailed examples of specialized experience in their…