Become an Aviation Safety Assistant with the FAA in Alameda, CA

Are you looking to take your federal administrative career to new heights? The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently seeking a motivated, detail-oriented individual to fill the role of Aviation Safety Assistant (Office Automation) in Alameda, California. Located at the Oakland Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), this key position serves as the backbone of daily operations, ensuring that aviation inspectors, administrative teams, and the public receive the support they need to maintain safety and compliance across our skies.

Working as an Aviation Safety Assistant (Office Automation) means managing administrative files, processing airman certificates, entering vital data into tracking systems, and facilitating communications. This internal agency opportunity is an excellent avenue for current or former federal employees to build a career in the dynamic sector of civil aviation safety.

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About the Agency: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

At the FAA, the sky is not the limit—it is just the beginning. The agency oversees the most complex, busy, and safe aerospace system in the world. Rapid advancements in technology are ushering in an exciting era of aviation, from autonomous aircraft and commercial space vehicles to eco-friendly, solar-powered flight. Achieving success with these innovations requires a dedicated, highly skilled team of over 44,000 professionals spanning more than 120 distinct occupations across the country.

The Oakland FSDO is part of the General Aviation Safety Assurance Office, under the Flight Standards Service. FSDO employees work directly with pilots, aircraft mechanics, flight schools, and aviation companies to verify adherence to Federal Aviation Regulations. By joining this office, you will play an active role in maintaining the integrity of civil aviation operations throughout northern California.

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Job Responsibilities and Daily Operations

The Aviation Safety Assistant provides administrative, semi-technical, and clerical support. Far from a routine office job, this position handles a wide variety of tasks that impact the local aviation community daily. Key responsibilities include:

Technical Program Support

• Airman & Operator Certification: Processing FAA-issued certificates for ground instructors, flight instructors, aircraft mechanics, repairmen, and flight engineers. This involves reviewing paperwork, examining supporting documents for completeness, and ensuring absolute compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs).
• Interviews & Assessments: Interviewing applicants for routine, non-complex certifications and reviewing temporary files completed by designated examiners.
• Examiner Support: Supporting programs such as the Designated Written Test Examiner (DWTE) system by organizing materials, training new examiners, and helping resolve testing discrepancies.

Correspondence, Automation, and Records Management

• Database Administration: Entering, printing, and verifying information across several crucial automated systems, such as the Operations Specifications Subsystem (OPSS), Vital Information Subsystem (VIS), and the Enforcement Information System (EIS). These databases are central to tracking historical airman records, licensing details, and safety histories.
• Quality Control: Reviewing and writing non-technical and routine technical correspondence. You will ensure outgoing files, letters, and manuals are free of grammatical errors, complete with necessary enclosures, and structured in accordance with agency directives.
• Resource Library Maintenance: Organizing and updating the physical and digital technical library. This includes tracking advisory circulars, Master Minimum Equipment Lists (MMELs), aircraft technical manuals, and federal notices.

Travel and Financial Program Support

• Travel Coordination: Managing internal "cuff" records in REGIS (or similar accounting networks) to track, validate, and verify funding allocations for staff travel and operational expenses.
• General Administrative Tasks: Supporting time and attendance recording, coordinating complex schedules for aircraft inspectors, and handling high-volume incoming phone calls and visitor inquiries.

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Requirements and Qualifications

To be considered for this position, you must meet the following eligibility requirements. Note that education cannot be substituted for experience for this specific occupational code.

Key Requirements

• Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of the United States. Applications from non-citizens will not be accepted.
• Federal Service Verification: Because this is an internal agency hiring path, you must upload your most recent, non-award SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to prove your federal status, series, and tenure.
• Background Check: Success in obtaining and maintaining a Low-Risk Background Investigation (Tier 1) is a prerequisite for formal appointment.
• Financial Compliance: This position may require the selected individual to submit a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty, in compliance with FAA regulations limiting certain outside investments in aviation companies.

Grade Level Comparison

Applicants can qualify at the FG-6 or FG-7 grade level. Management is not obligated to promote at a later date, and promotion remains dependent on performance, training, and supervisor recommendation. Below is a breakdown of the specialized experience required for each level:

Grade Level	Base Requirements	Required Specialized Experience
FG-6	One year of specialized experience equivalent to the FG-5 or FV-D level in federal service.	Administrative and clerical execution, drafting routine correspondence, updating filing systems, entering database records, and providing basic office support.
FG-7	One year of specialized experience equivalent to the FG-6 or FV-D level in federal service.	Performing advanced technical administrative work, analyzing complex directives, managing and validating travel funds, and preparing detailed technical reports.

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Salary Overview and Grade Details

The position offers a competitive salary structure ranging from $56,767 to $82,007 per year. The final salary determination depends on the grade level at which you are hired (FG-6 or FG-7) as well as prior federal steps, experience, and current locality adjustments. Locality pay is factored into the annual compensation rate, which is paid on a bi-weekly cycle.

This position is classified under the FG pay plan (equivalent to General Schedule grades) and is a bargaining unit position represented nationwide by the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS).

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Benefits

Working for the FAA provides access to excellent, comprehensive federal employee benefits designed to support long-term physical, mental, and financial health. Key benefits include:

• Comprehensive Healthcare: Choices between a variety of Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plans, alongside competitive dental and vision options.
• Retirement Security: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which features a defined-benefit pension.
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): A retirement savings account comparable to a 401(k), featuring up to a 5% agency matching contribution.
• Paid Time Off: Accrual of annual leave (for vacation) and sick leave, plus 11 paid federal holidays per calendar year.
• Flexible Work & Telework: Opportunities for eligible employees to leverage telework schedules, maintaining a healthy work-life balance while meeting agency goals.

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Application Tips

To ensure your application is reviewed and not automatically screened out, follow these essential strategies from federal HR specialists:

1. Respect the Two-Page Resume Limit: The FAA strictly limits resumes for this position to exactly two pages. Any content on page three or beyond will not be read or considered. Optimize your formatting to pack high-impact achievements into those two pages.
2. Include Crucial SF-50 Information: Ensure your uploaded SF-50 shows blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24. This confirms your eligibility, pay grade, and tenure. Without a valid SF-50, your application will be disqualified.
3. Map Experience to Key Qualifications: Tailor your resume to show clear, quantifiable examples of the specialized experience requirements. Mention systems you’ve used (such as OPSS, REGIS, or EIS) and specific administrative projects you’ve managed.
4. No Narrative KSAs Needed: The FAA has eliminated separate narrative responses for Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Instead of writing paragraphs in the evaluation boxes, prove your KSAs directly through your resume bullet points.
5. Apply Early and Double-Check Changes: Submit your completed application packet well before the closing deadline on September 8, 2026. Remember, if you edit your application after submitting it, you must resubmit it, or the system will only evaluate the older version.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is education acceptable as a substitute for experience?

No. Education is not qualifying for this position. Candidates must satisfy the experience requirements at the FG-6 or FG-7 levels through past employment.

Q2: Who is eligible to apply for this position?

This vacancy is open to current or former federal employees with competitive service status, current FAA employees, or individuals eligible under specific internal federal hiring paths.

Q3: What is the grade level and promotion potential of this job?

The position is announced at the FG-6 and FG-7 levels, with a maximum promotion potential of FG-7.

Q4: Are there telework opportunities available?

Yes, this position is eligible for telework in accordance with agency policies.

Q5: Is there a limit on the length of my resume?

Yes, resumes submitted for this position are strictly limited to two pages.

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If you want to contribute to the safe and efficient operation of civil aviation while building a secure, beneficial federal career, applying for the Aviation Safety Assistant (Office Automation) position is an exceptional step forward. Located in beautiful Alameda, CA, this role within the Oakland FSDO places you at the heart of aviation safety administration. Gather your SF-50, polish your two-page federal resume, and submit your application today to join the FAA in advancing the future of flight.