Flight Operations Inspector

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand; Wellington; On-site; NZD 116,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Sick leave entitlements from day 1

KiwiSaver contributions up to 4%

Vision assistance

Flu vaccinations

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand is seeking a skilled aviation professional to manage certification for helicopter and agricultural organisations and contribute to safety-related work across NZ. You will engage operators, promote best practices and exercise sound judgement within an established framework.

Travel is a regular part of the role, with opportunities to interact with aviation organisations nationwide and occasionally overseas.

Qualifications

• Must hold and/or have held a CPL (H) with experience in air transport operations.
• Ideal: Agricultural Rating, Flight Examiner or instructing experience, NVIS Rating.
• Instrument Flight Rules and PBN qualifications are advantageous.
• Experience in helicopter flight operations or training management is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Manage certification for Helicopter and Agricultural Organisations.
• Assist with aviation safety-related work, risk management and technical papers.
• Contribute to flight testing and simulator approvals as needed.
• Travel regularly to engage with aviation organisations across NZ and overseas.

Skills

CPL(H) experience

Rotor wing experience

Interpersonal skills

Systems thinking

Safety Management Systems experience

Education

CPL (H) qualification

Job description

Job description

• Apply your expertise across complex aviation operations
• Diverse work spanning certification, safety and oversight
• Permanent position, based at Wellington, Auckland Airport or Christchurch Airport

About the role

This role will provide you the opportunity to positively influence the continuous improvement in aviation safety performance by engaging and communicating closely with operators. You will promote safety and operational best practices within theNewZealand aviation system. As such, you will be required to exercise sound judgement and responsibility within an established operating framework.

You’ll be responsible for managing certification for Helicopter and Agricultural Organisations and assisting with aviation safety related work as required. The certification process can relate to new or existing operations requiring re-certification. You’ll work across a diverse range of aviation safety activities including, risk management and technical papers. From time to time, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to flight testings and simulator approvals.

To be considered for this opportunity, you must meet the following criteria:

• You should hold and or have held a minimum of a CPL (H) with experience in air transport (Part 119/135 and/or 137) operations

Ideally, you will also have:

• An Agricultural Rating and experience
• Flight Examiner or instructing experience
• An NVIS Rating and experience
• Instrument Flight Rules, PBN qualifications and experience
• Having experience in helicopter flight operations or training management
• Familiarity with Safety Management Systems

Other aviation qualifications including applicable tertiary qualifications or related experience would be considered.

Travel is a regular part of the role and provides the opportunity to engage directly with aviation organisations throughout New Zealand and on occasion overseas.

The salary band for this role is $115,536 - $161,412, with the mid-range $141,751. Starting salaries are based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.

What You’ll Bring

You will be respected by others for your integrity, professionalism and aviation experience and be passionate about improving safety performance.

Applicants should also be able to demonstrate:

• Operational knowledge and experience
• Proven experience with rotor wing in the Part 119/135/137/141 environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work closely with external stakeholders to provide clear and objective decisions about potential safety issues
• Bring a systems thinking approach combined with an ability to think critically and solve problems
• Safety Management Systems experience in any of these environments.

About us

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is New Zealand’s aviation safety and security regulator. We play a critical role in protecting the travelling public, supporting the aviation sector, and strengthening New Zealand’s international reputation.

Our vision is simple and powerful: A safe and secure aviation system – so people are safe, and feel safe when they fly.

Our values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration guide everything we do. We’re committed to diversity, inclusion, and creating a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to contribute.

Why Join Us?

• 5 weeks annual leave, with an additional 2 days after five years of continuous service
• Sick leave entitlements from day 1 and Ten days Domestic leave annually
• Matching KiwiSaver contributions up to 4%
• Vision assistance
• Flu Vaccinations
• Employee Assistance Programme

If you have any questions about the role or application process, please contact the Recruitment team [e-mail]

Applications close: Tuesday 6 October 2026.