Series 3705
Inspectors who check metal parts and structures for cracks and flaws without damaging them, using methods such as X-ray, ultrasound, and magnetic particle testing, often on aircraft.
See open 3705 jobs on USAJOBS Compare with another series Back to Series Directory
Share of job postings in the last 12 months, by who the announcement was open to.
Based on job announcements since Mar 2017. How patterns are calculated
Postings usually peak in March and are lowest in December.
| Month | Compared with an average month |
|---|---|
| January | About average |
| February | About average |
| March | 17% above average |
| April | About average |
| May | About average |
| June | About average |
| July | About average |
| August | 6% above average |
| September | About average |
| October | About average |
| November | About average |
| December | 10% below average |
The federal fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30. Fiscal years 2025 and 2026 include the government-wide hiring freeze that began in January 2025.
| Fiscal year | Postings |
|---|---|
| FY 2018 | 162 |
| FY 2019 | 148 |
| FY 2020 | 125 |
| FY 2021 | 105 |
| FY 2022 | 107 |
| FY 2023 | 96 |
| FY 2024 | 115 |
| FY 2025 | 74 |
| FY 2026 | 81 |
| Month | Postings |
|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | 6 |
| Feb 2026 | 6 |
| Mar 2026 | 13 |
| Apr 2026 | 7 |
| May 2026 | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | 6 |
| Jul 2026 | 6 |
| Aug 2026 | 7 |
| Sep 2026 | 7 |
| Oct 2026 | 13 |
| Nov 2026 | 4 |
Job numbers come from the USAJOBS API: 244,223 job announcements opened from December 1, 2025 to November 15, 2026, plus 12,260 announcements open on November 15, 2026. Canceled announcements are not counted. Series descriptions summarize the OPM Handbook of Occupational Groups and Families.
These figures describe posted job announcements, not hiring outcomes. Always read the official announcement and its qualification requirements before applying. How the scores are calculated.