They are because they are fairly few and far between, BUT, they are currently hiring for the KACY office. See the associated thread by searching 'FAA' in the title. I just posted the links open until the end of the week for external announcements and until the end of the month for internal announcements. Also, a few of the most recent new hires have been former ASIs.

I'm well qualified with 25+ years experience. And they never reply to my applications. Even with Veteran's points. They keep extending the closing window.

Who is "they" that never reply and for what job? ASI or ASIP?
How many vet's points and when did you last apply?

Heard from an inside source today that the FSDOs are looking at hiring for two positions in the Ashburn, VA office and for one position in the Anchorage AK office.
If I get further details I'll pass them on here.

It's all about the KSAs. If you aren't getting rejections that say you're not qualified, it's all about how you sell yourself and write the KSAs. Think about the simplest and shortest way to describe your biggest accomplishments that are "in line" with each KSA. You should have something substantial for EACH one, and do NOT re-use something you've just used. Writing is actually very important for this job, so your ability to effectively communicate is one of the most important parts. They want to know what you've done, what have you been able to accomplish and change?, how did you know you made a change?, how many people followed your lead?

Think about this: If you left the KSAs blank, checked the appropriate boxes that said you were qualified, and applied, you would get called in for an interview. Now think about all the people that did the same, and wrote something in the KSAs. They become much of the deciding factor. Years ago, they were forced to hire the "most qualified applicant", even if that applicant wasn't technically qualified. That rule has changed though, and they have no requirement to fill their open positions like that.

For many of us, it took a few years to get in. A few years of honing that resume, remembering accomplishments that better-fit the KSAs, remembering additional things to put in there, etc.

The job has so many possibilities and specialties that you can get into. Like 121? Go there. Like 135 and GA? Go there. Like doing checkrides most of the time? You can do that. Like flying around and giving type-rides? You can do that. Like analyzing safety data and suggesting fixes for systemic problems? You can do that. Like interacting with pilots and promoting safety? You can do that. So many possibilities and places where you can find something and make a difference. All this and you are treated like a human being.

I heard through the grapevine that because of budget issues Safety Inspector job openings have been pulled. This from a local FSDO guy. He also said that there may be some layoffs. Anyone else hear the same thing?

I've heard something similar.

FAA jobs...
 

Just as a point of reference, I was in the corporate world for over 10 years and was "let go" back in July and after having my paperwork in, I got a call from an air carrier office and here I am in OKC for a month. I came in as a GS-12 and hoping for my "13 bump" on my year anniversary. I've got 40 folks in my class with only 3 females. There is probably a 50/50 mix of civilian/military. I'm civilian with a 121,135,142 background.

There are around 6 guys that around the 30 age range having come from Mesa, Pinnacle and Compass. One of our instructors told us there was a recent new hire that came in at the ripe old age of 74!

The job so far is really boring, bascially because we're not trained and we've been sitting around doing out computer training and waiting for the OKC school house to start up.
I jumped at the chance for a few reasons....The major one being I needed a job. I needed a secure job. I wanted the ability to move to another location and from what I'm told it can be done. The fact that there are many other things to do within the FAA is also attractive. Like some of the other posters have mentioned, you can get in the UAV dept, NextGen, Flight Check. If you can get to DC, you can usually start at the GS-14 level. Another bonus is that you're compensated up to around 250-300 dollars per month for using mass-transit.
It's a different lifestyle no doubt, however from a stability standpoint, it's certainly the best in this business. I can try and answer any questions, since it looks like I'm the newest on board.

How long from the time you submitted your app to a phone call for an interview? Did you pick a specific region or not? What were you hired for; air carrier, general av, inspection pilot? Where are you going to be working once done with training?
Thanks

Well, I had my paperwork in for about 2 years. When they "merged" the FAA jobs and the USAJOBS site, I updated again last July and was notified that someone was looking at my app. within a few weeks. Within two months I was sitting in my new office, which is a large FSDO on the East Coast and I'm on the air carrier side. I can't go to the GA side, as I never got my CFI tickets. I picked the regions that had some sort of air carrier operations.