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**Selectee will conduct the work from their current approved official duty station**

This position is in the Railroad Investigations Division, Office of Rail, Pipeline, and Haz Mat Investigations (RPH). The Railroad Investigations Division investigates accidents and incidents involving passenger and freight railroads, commuter rail transit systems, and other fixed guideway systems. The incumbent will serve as the Division Chief.

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Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

03/18/2025 to 04/01/2025
Salary

$125,133 - $162,672 per year
The salary range is base salary without locality pay. Your salary will be adjusted based on the duty location assigned.
Pay scale & grade

GS 15
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Locations

1 vacancy in the following locations:
Remote job

No
Telework eligible

Yes—This position is eligible for ad-hoc/situational telework as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed

No
Appointment type

Permanent
Work schedule

Full-time
Service

Competitive
Promotion potential

15
Job family (Series)
- 2121 Railroad Safety
Supervisory status

Yes
Security clearance

Not Required
Drug test

No
Position sensitivity and risk

Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
- Suitability/Fitness
Financial disclosure

No
Bargaining unit status

No
Announcement number

RPH-12710169-25-RR
Control number

833796100

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Clarification from the agency

This position is open only to Status Candidates currently employed by the National Transportation Safety Board.

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*Denver - Aurora, Colorado GS-15 $163,324.00 - $195,200.00
*Seattle/Tacoma, Washington GS-15 $164,637.00 - $195,200.00
*Washington, DC (DC-MD-VA-WV-PA) GS-15 $167,603.00 - $195,200.00

As a Supervisory Railroad Accident Investigator (Division Chief), GS-2121-15, you will perform the following major duties:

Directs, oversees, and leads a team of branch chiefs and investigators in the accomplishment of complex investigations of railroad accidents. Provides authoritative advice to the office director and deputy director on launch decisions and is responsible for the overall direction and technical accuracy of investigations and reporting processes for railroad investigators.
Manages personnel, providing authoritative advice and guidance; assigns tasks to investigative staff; identifies and assesses the significant aspects of each investigation; participates in the identification and selection of safety issues; and plans, develops, and initiates the investigative procedures, and the evidence to be preserved and its public dissemination.
Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees. Evaluates work performance of subordinates and appraises staff performance.
Assures that major emphasis of railroad investigations is of timeliness and quality, and that the investigation results achieve tangible safety improvements.
Oversees all planning meetings related to the investigation and the final report product and reviews drafts of the final report for technical accuracy, ensuring necessary changes are made and that all applicable safety issues are identified and addressed.
Initiates, maintains, and exchanges information with other federal agencies and international organizations, industry, labor, trade, and other interested officials through meetings, conferences, seminars, letters, reports, studies, briefings, and other similar methods.

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Conditions of Employment

U.S. Citizenship
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
Resume and supporting documents (see "How to Apply" section.)
Suitability for Federal employment
Financial Interest in transportation enterprises will be evaluated on a case-by-case-basis.
Bargaining Unit Position: NO
Direct Deposit is required.
A probationary period may be required.
Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level) by the closing date of this announcement. Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
You may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450, upon entering the position and annually.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Selectee will conduct the work from their current approved official duty location.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for the Supervisory Railroad Accident Investigator, GS-2121-15, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the federal service.

Specialized Experience is experience in NTSB rail accident investigation protocols, procedures, and methodology as they relate to railroad design, human performance factors, railroad operational factors, survival factors, as well as equipment and structural factors; experience in successfully developing safety issues and safety recommendations as well as experience with the review of NTSB reports.; and experience organizing, managing, and coordinating the investigation of major railroad transportation accidents. Specialized experience should also show that you possess the following:

Knowledge of the railroad industry, including economic and operating considerations and equipment;
Knowledge of the general safety and health principles and practices applicable to the railroad industry;
Knowledge of railroad accident investigation techniques; and
Skill in written and oral communication.

In addition to the above, you must have the Knowledge required in the following specialty areas shown below:

Hazardous Materials:

Practical knowledge of the typical reactions of different hazardous commodities to various environmental conditions and of safe procedures for containing or controlling fires, leaks, or explosions of these materials;
Knowledge of the construction, testing, and retesting of containers used to ship hazardous materials by rail; and
Knowledge of Federal regulations and standards governing the shipment of hazardous materials by rail, including containerization, loading, handling, documentation, and placarding.

Track:

Knowledge of railroad track system construction, maintenance, testing, or inspection techniques;
Knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of various track system configurations; and
Knowledge of Federal railroad track safety standards.

Signals and Train Control:

Knowledge of the design, installation, maintenance, testing, or inspection of signal and train control systems and their capabilities and limitations;
Knowledge of applicable Federal laws and regulations pertaining to railroad signaling and train control systems; and
Knowledge of locomotive braking systems and their relationship to and interface with train control or automatic train stop systems and braking distances.

Operating Practices:

Knowledge of railroad operating practices, rules, and procedures, especially as they relate to safety issues; and
Knowledge of Federal regulations and standards relating to railroad operations and requirements in such areas as hours of service, accident reporting, blue signal protection of workers, rear end markers, radio communication, railroad employee qualifications, and railroad employee testing.

Motive Power and Equipment:

Knowledge of the design, maintenance, or inspection of various types of locomotive and freight cars currently in use and their capabilities and limitations;
Knowledge of the installation, maintenance, or testing of railroad safety appliances and power brakes, their capabilities and limitations; and
Knowledge of the applicable Federal laws and regulations pertaining to inspection and testing of locomotives, freight cars, safety appliances, and power brakes.

For more information see link: Railroad Safety Series 2121 (opm.gov)

NOTE: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must clearly show the specialized experience and competencies related to this position. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the education, specialized experience and/or competencies will result in an "Ineligible" rating.

Education

There is no education substitution at this grade level

Additional information

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays and various benefits as well as work life amenities such as alternate work schedules, telework, flextime, fitness and transit benefits.
Moving expenses associated with permanent change of station (PCS) ARE NOT authorized for this position.
NTSB may authorize Recruitment Incentives currently offered by the Federal Government for highly qualified candidates who possess unique skills and abilities.
Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP eligibility criteria; (2) meet the basic qualification standards (including minimum educational and experience requirements; (3) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 90 and above on the rating criteria for this position; and, (4) submit the appropriate documentation ( to support your CTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on OPM's web site at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/
NTSB uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.
Selectee will conduct the work from their current approved duty station.

Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to determine your qualifications. Experience must be clearly reflected in your resume. Applicants must first meet any mandatory education and/or licensure requirements before experience is evaluated. Failure to meet any mandatory requirement as outlined in the qualifications section will disqualify you from further consideration. If education and/or licensure requirements are met, your application will be further evaluated based on training, experience and other factors critical to successful job performance such as:

Accident Investigation
Leadership
Oral Communication
Planning and Evaluating
Written Communication

If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

You are required to provide documentation that supports the eligibility and qualification claims made in your resume and assessment questionnaire. You must submit the applicable documents listed here and those listed with the eligibilities you select in the announcement questionnaire with your application package. Applicants who do not provide supporting documentation that fully support their claims will not be referred to the hiring manager. Cover letter is optional.

The following documents are required for a COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE:
- A Complete Resume is required: Your resume must show relevant experience, job title, duties and accomplishments. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. The following information should be provided in your resume: employer's name, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week, and pay plan, series and grade level (e.g. GS-0201-09) for relevant federal experience. Please see OPM's video on Resume Writing Tips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoF
- Responses to the questionnaire.
- ALL CURRENT AND FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT THE MOST RECENT COPY OF THEIR SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing competitive status, listing your Position Title, Series and Grade and Step, Tenure (Block 24 -1 or 2) and Position Occupied (Block 34 -1). Additionally, applicants should also submit a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held on a permanent basis in the competitive service or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. (Do not submit your Award SF-50).
- A copy of your most recent performance appraisal, or a statement as to why you do not have this document.
- Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation: (1) Proof of Eligibility; (2) Your latest performance rating showing a rating of at least "fully successful" (level 3); AND (3) Your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action, showing your tenure, position occupied, and duty station. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
- To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package (see the required documents section).The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 04/01/2025.
- To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
- To view or print occupational questionnaire click here https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12710169.
- To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the More Information link under the application status for this position.
NOTE: If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Applications: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information at least 1 business day before the closing date.
Read more

Agency contact information

Human Resources Division

Email

humanresourcesdivision@ntsb.gov

Address

Railroad Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Inv
490 L'Enfant Plaza East SW
Washington, DC 20594
US

Next steps

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed in the announcement. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Help

You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

You are required to provide documentation that supports the eligibility and qualification claims made in your resume and assessment questionnaire. You must submit the applicable documents listed here and those listed with the eligibilities you select in the announcement questionnaire with your application package. Applicants who do not provide supporting documentation that fully support their claims will not be referred to the hiring manager. Cover letter is optional.

The following documents are required for a COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE:

A Complete Resume is required: Your resume must show relevant experience, job title, duties and accomplishments. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. The following information should be provided in your resume: employer's name, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week, and pay plan, series and grade level (e.g. GS-0201-09) for relevant federal experience. Please see OPM's video on Resume Writing Tips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoF
Responses to the questionnaire.
ALL CURRENT AND FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT THE MOST RECENT COPY OF THEIR SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing competitive status, listing your Position Title, Series and Grade and Step, Tenure (Block 24 -1 or 2) and Position Occupied (Block 34 -1). Additionally, applicants should also submit a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held on a permanent basis in the competitive service or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. (Do not submit your Award SF-50).
A copy of your most recent performance appraisal, or a statement as to why you do not have this document.
Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation: (1) Proof of Eligibility; (2) Your latest performance rating showing a rating of at least "fully successful" (level 3); AND (3) Your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action, showing your tenure, position occupied, and duty station. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Help

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package (see the required documents section).The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 04/01/2025.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
To view or print occupational questionnaire click here https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12710169.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the More Information link under the application status for this position.

NOTE: If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Applications: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information at least 1 business day before the closing date.

Agency contact information

Human Resources Division

Email: humanresourcesdivision@ntsb.gov
Address: Railroad Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Inv
490 L'Enfant Plaza East SW
Washington, DC 20594
US

Next steps

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed in the announcement. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Help

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

03/18/2025 to 04/01/2025
Salary

$125,133 - $162,672 per year
The salary range is base salary without locality pay. Your salary will be adjusted based on the duty location assigned.
Pay scale & grade

GS 15
Locations

1 vacancy in the following locations:
Remote job

No
Telework eligible

Yes—This position is eligible for ad-hoc/situational telework as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed

No
Appointment type

Permanent
Work schedule

Full-time
Service

Competitive
Promotion potential

15
Job family (Series)
- 2121 Railroad Safety
Supervisory status

Yes
Security clearance

Not Required
Drug test

No
Position sensitivity and risk

Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
- Suitability/Fitness
Financial disclosure

No
Bargaining unit status

No
Announcement number

RPH-12710169-25-RR
Control number

833796100

This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/833796100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.

Supervisory Railroad Accident Investigator (Division Chief)

Summary

Overview

Open & closing dates

Salary

Pay scale & grade

Locations

Remote job

Telework eligible

Travel Required

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Appointment type

Work schedule

Service

Promotion potential

Job family (Series)

Supervisory status

Security clearance

Drug test

Position sensitivity and risk

Trust determination process

Financial disclosure

Bargaining unit status

Announcement number

Control number

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Videos

Duties

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Qualifications

Education

Additional information

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

How to Apply

Agency contact information

Next steps

Fair & Transparent