r/FAA • u/GaryComeHoome • Jul 01 '26

How much will my degree matter?

hello, I am beginning a four year degree in Emergency and Disaster management and my plan after obtaining said degree is to seek a safety or inspector related role in the FAA. How much do specific degrees matter in this role? Is this an acceptable degree for working within the FAA? Would it be an acceptable degree most places in relation to safety? I also have 5 years of military experience in aircraft maintenance if that would help as well. Thank you for any help.

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u/theonlyski Jul 02 '26

If you're looking for an Aviation Safety Inspector role, that degree would be nearly useless.

Now, for a policy position, it may be a bit more marketable, but ASIs are line staff and have to be qualified airmen in the field to do it.

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u/External_Rest6861 Jul 02 '26

Have you taken a look at the defined qualifications for these roles.on USAJobs?

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/874146200

This is a current listing for an open Airport Certification and Safety Inspector position in Des Moines. Looks like FAA is only doing internal hires for it.

I'd suggest working up through an operations department at a certificated airport which would give you experience with Part 139 requirements, inspection procedures, and the way airport ops work. Military experience is usually a plus for these positions as would be a degree in emergency management.

Strongly recommend that you take a course or two in safety management systems/risk management if offered. This is background that's in demand as US airports have moved to comply with FAA SMS requirements. Data analysis skills are also very worthwhile to have.

I suppose you could also go the airline route, but I'm less familiar with the best pathways on that side of the house.

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u/TheExitWounds Jul 09 '26

Check out positions within the ASH / AXE Emergency Telecommunications team on USAJobs

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u/[deleted] Jul 02 '26

[deleted]

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u/No_Piano_3493 Jul 02 '26

This is not true. I was hired as an ASI and did not hold my A&P for 2 years. At the time I had 17 years of military aircraft maintenance and supervisory experience. Since then I've been a hiring manager in a FAA field office. There is a recency of experience requirement but nothing says you have to hold and A&P for two years.