ASSI Aerodrome Inspector and Policy Specialist

Salary: £53,968 to £65,000 – (dependent on experience)

Contract Type: Permanent

Security Level: BPSS

Location: The role is based at the ASSI office in Crawley. We do require all staff to attend the office for 2 days per quarter; and we additionally ask colleagues to attend in-person for certain meetings and activities on an as-needed basis, such as team meetings, workshops and face-to-face training sessions; and the latter is especially the case during the post-holder’s training towards authorisation.

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Residency requirement: the postholder must be resident in the UK for tax purposes from the start of employment.

Closing Date: Friday 4th Dec 2026

Interview Date: w/c Monday 14th Dec 2026

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

 As an ASSI Aerodrome Inspector & Policy Specialist, you will support the oversight, regulation and continuous improvement of aviation safety regarding aerodromes and related organisations across the UK Overseas Territories.

Reporting to the Policy & Rulemaking Manager and Regulatory Compliance Manager, you will conduct audits, inspections and assessments of aerodromes, Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (RFFS), Search and Rescue (SAR) and Meteorological Services to ensure compliance with the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order (AN(OT)O) and relevant ICAO standards and recommended practices (SARPs).

You will also play a key role in developing and maintaining aviation safety policy in relation to aerodromes, including regulatory requirements and guidance material, while contributing to ASSI's Performance Based Oversight (PBO) framework. Acting as a subject matter expert, you will provide technical advice, training and support to ASSI colleagues and Overseas Territory Aviation Authorities.

The role of an ASSI Inspector and Policy Specialist offers a unique and rewarding career, providing the opportunity to work across a diverse range of cultures, communities and regulatory environments. The position is both professionally enriching and personally fulfilling and employees often report a high degree of job satisfaction through the meaningful impact of their work. Inspectors engage regularly with stakeholders from a variety of religious and political backgrounds, requiring a respectful, adaptable and inclusive approach. Success in the role depends on the ability to build effective relationships, communicate sensitively and work collaboratively in sometimes complex and dynamic situations.

When operating in the field, Inspectors are expected to be confident, credible and resourceful, often working independently and exercising sound judgement when making decisions. Due to the international nature of the role, differences in time zones frequently require flexibility in working hours and the ability to operate effectively with limited, immediate support from the UK.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to carefully consider these aspects of the position and reflect on their ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, cultural awareness and professional resilience. For those who enjoy working in an international environment and engaging with people from diverse backgrounds, the role offers an exceptional opportunity to make a positive and lasting contribution to aviation safety across the UK Overseas Territories. 

Core Accountabilities

Specific Accountabilities

• Conduct inspections, examinations and audits of aerodromes and Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (RFFS) within the UK Overseas Territories to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and the maintenance of high aviation safety standards.
• Assess aerodrome infrastructure and development projects to ensure continued regulatory compliance and operational safety.
• Regulate Search and Rescue (SAR) and Meteorological Services through audit, inspection and oversight activities.
• Provide specialist aerodrome expertise to ICAO regional groups, technical forums and industry meetings as required.
• Support external organisations and agencies undertaking activities on behalf of ASSI.

Generic Accountabilities

• Participate in assessments of Overseas Territory Aviation Authorities (OTAAs), ensuring compliance with ICAO Protocol Questions (PQs) and supporting the closure of identified findings.
• Assess applications for approvals, permissions, exemptions and regulatory deviations.
• Develop, maintain and review Overseas Territories Aviation Requirements (OTARs), Overseas Territories Aviation Circulars (OTACs) and supporting technical procedures.
• Monitor regulatory developments and recommend changes to aviation legislation, including the AN(OT)O.
• Support enforcement activities in accordance with ASSI policies and procedures.
• Apply Safety Management System (SMS) and Quality Management System (QMS) principles using a proportionate risk-based approach.
• Investigate occurrence reports or provide technical support to investigations, making recommendations to improve aviation safety.
• Develop and maintain aviation policy within assigned subject areas.
• Review ICAO State Letters and coordinate responses on behalf of the Overseas Territories.
• Maintain compliance information relating to relevant ICAO Annexes and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with Departments of Civil Aviation (DCAs) and OTAAs to support the effective implementation of aviation regulations and standards.
• Support the design and delivery of technical training and regulatory development programmes.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to aviation regulators and stakeholders across the Overseas Territories.
• Represent ASSI and the Overseas Territories at national and international aviation forums.
• Undertake additional duties commensurate with the level and scope of the role.

About You

Essential Criteria

• Significant experience in aerodrome operations, aerodrome management, aviation safety oversight of airport operations.
• Experience as either

• an Aerodrome Operations Manager or in a comparable senior aerodrome operational role with substantial experience in aerodrome planning, operation or maintenance; AND/OR

• an Aerodrome regulatory oversight role in a national aviation authority.
• Extensive knowledge of ICAO aerodrome standards, aviation safety regulations and regulatory oversight requirements in aerodromes and related topics.
• Strong understanding of aerodrome certification and Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (RFFS) requirements.
• Working knowledge of aerodrome meteorological observation and reporting requirements.
• Working knowledge of Search and Rescue (SAR) service provision requirements.
• Experience conducting audits, inspections and compliance assessments.
• Knowledge of Safety Management Systems (SMS), Quality Management Systems (QMS) and risk-based regulation.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess complex technical information and make sound regulatory judgements.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across different cultures and international environments.
• Proficiency in information technology systems and audit management tools.

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience working within a civil aviation authority, aviation regulator or regulatory oversight organisation.
• Qualification or certification in aerodrome operations, aviation safety management, auditing or aviation regulation.
• Experience of Performance Based Oversight (PBO) methodologies.
• Knowledge of the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order (AN(OT)O).
• Experience of developing aviation regulations, guidance material or aviation policy.
• Experience delivering technical training or mentoring aviation professionals.
• Familiarity with Centrik or similar compliance and audit management systems.
• Experience representing organisations at ICAO, regulatory or international aviation forums.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

BPSS - To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.

UK resident: To be offered this role, you must reside in the UK for income tax purposes.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest

Inclusive Recruitment

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be guaranteed an interview. Find out more about the Disability Confident Scheme. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Use of Artificial Intelligence by candidates in the CAA recruitment process

We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.

Working With Us

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns between the ASSI office in Crawley, home working and overseas trips. We are open to having a conversation about what works for you. We do require all staff to attend the office for 2 days per quarter; and we additionally ask colleagues to attend in-person for certain meetings and activities on an as-needed basis, such as team meetings, workshops and training sessions; and the latter is especially the case during the post-holder’s training towards authorisation. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance. 

In relation to business trips, the postholder can expect approximately 4-8 weeks of overseas travel per year, at the rate of about 1-2 weeks per trip.

Explore What We Offer section on our careers website to find out about our benefits and how we support work-life balance.

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: Friday 4th Dec 2026

Interview Date: w/c Monday 14th Dec 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. Please note that only candidates that meet the Essential Criteria listed above will be considered for an interview.

No recruitment agencies please.