SAFA Inspections Officer

Salary: £39,702 up to £44,000 per annum dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time – Hybrid

Security Level: CTC

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

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

The SAFA Inspecting Officer (IO) provides operational, planning and coordination support to the SAFA Principal / National Coordinator to ensure effective delivery of the UK’s annual SAFA/SANA Ramp Inspection Programme.

The role does not include conducting inspections or line management. Instead, the IO ensures that the inspection programme is meticulously planned, resourced, monitored, and delivered by:

• Supporting the SAFA Principal in designing the annual inspection and alcohol‑testing plan in line with EASA and DfT requirements.
• Managing the day‑to‑day delivery of the programme, including planning, scheduling, and monitoring progress across the inspector team.
• Acting as a central coordination point to ensure inspectors have the information, access, tools, and support needed to deliver the programme efficiently and consistently.
• Supporting assurance and standardisation activities, including moderating findings, maintaining records, and managing system access.

The IO will function as the operational deputy to the SAFA Principal for programme coordination matters (not people leadership), ensuring continuity of oversight and delivery.

Core Accountabilities

• Support planning and managing the annual SAFA/SANA inspection and alcohol‑testing schedule.
• Monitor daily programme delivery and performance against targets.
• Review inspection findings and ensure data accuracy and follow‑up actions.
• Maintain inspector training records and support standardisation activities.
• Manage system access, equipment calibration, PPE, and airport pass requirements.
• Provide operational and administrative support to inspectors.
• Liaise with DfT, EASA, airports, airlines, and internal CAA teams on programme priorities and performance.

About You

Essential

• Demonstrated experience in operational planning, scheduling, resource coordination, or programme management, ideally in a regulatory, operational, or safety‑critical context.
• Ability to analyse data, produce structured plans and progress reports,
• Skilled at collaborating with technical specialists and coordinating activities across multiple stakeholders.
• Able to work autonomously, manage competing demands, and adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of advising colleagues and external stakeholders confidently.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Strong organisation, time management, and delivery focus, ensuring high‑quality outputs to deadlines.

Desirable

• Strong understanding of aviation regulatory requirements, particularly ICAO/EASA frameworks related to ramp inspections.

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.

To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 3 years.

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

For more information on CTC and SC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, 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 are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

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

Closing Date: 17th March 2026

Interview Date: 31st March and 1st April 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.

No recruitment agencies please.