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Aviation Accident Investigator (OPS)

National Transportation Safety Board
Office of Aviation Safety
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The closing date has been extended to Friday, May 02, 2025.

The incumbent will serve as an Aviation Accident Investigator (Air Carrier Operations) located in the Operational Factors Division (OFD), Office of Aviation Safety (OAS), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The incumbent will investigate aviation accidents/incidents and prepare related factual and analytical reports, determine the probable cause, and develop safety improvements.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/09/2025 to 05/02/2025
Salary
$120,579 to - $156,755 per year

Newly appointed federal government employees, starting salary rate may be set at the step 1.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
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
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
AS-12717556-25-KAT
Control number
834966000

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Duties

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As an Aviation Accident Investigator (OPS), GS-1801-13, you will perform the following major duties:

  • The incumbent serves on the Go-Team and is available for accident or incident response 24 hours a day during Go-Team assignment Period. Under the direction and guidance of more senior investigators and the Division supervisor(s), the incumbent is primarily responsible for conducting investigations of major, civil, air carrier accidents and incidents.
  • Incumbent oversees the collection and documentation of all information, data, and evidence relevant to the investigation. Conducts and oversees the conduct of documentation of thorough and comprehensive investigative interviews and the obtaining of comprehensive statements from witnesses.
  • Incumbent prepares and oversees the preparation of comprehensive written reports of investigative activities in a timely manner and in accordance with Board policy and procedures; these reports include, but are not limited to: field notes, factual reports, and analytical reports.
  • When appropriate, the incumbent serves as the United States Accredited Representative or assists the Accredited Representative on foreign accident or incident investigations and may assist the more senior investigators in providing effective training to new-hire and other lesser qualified investigators, including on-scene and desk mentoring.

Requirements

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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: YES - Bargaining unit represented by NTSB-AFGE Local 2211.
  • 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.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
  • You may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450, upon entering the position and annually.
  • This position is being announced concurrently under Public (U.S Citizens) procedures under Vacancy Number AS-12727431-25-KAT. To be considered under both Public (US Citizens) and Government-Wide procedures, you must apply to both announcements.

Qualifications

GS-13: You MUST have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector). Specialized experience is defined as:

Familiarity or experience with the conduct of investigations of air carrier operations-related accidents, incidents, flight crew operational error and pilot deviation. Operating as a Pilot-in-command and/or serving as an instructor, FAA-authorized proficiency check-airman, or Aircrew Program Designee (APD) on "qualifying aircraft" operating with a "qualifying air carrier".

(Qualifying Aircraft: For the purpose of this application, this term is defined as newer generation, turbine powered aircraft that are generally equipped with FMS and GPS navigation, IRU platforms, FADEC engine controls, EFIS display units, EGPWS, and advanced TCAS or TAWS warning systems. Examples of airplanes in this category would be B737NG (and later), B757/B767, B777, B717, B-787, A320 series (and later Airbus models). Also, similarly equipped, advanced, newer generation aircraft used in civil air carrier, regional, corporate or charter flight operations such as CRJ7, CRJ9, A-220, E135 (or later Embraer models), G-450 (and later) and the Global Express.)

(Qualifying Air Carrier: For the purpose of this application, this term is defined as an air carrier operating under 14 CFR Part 121 which had in place one or more of the following safety programs: Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA), Flight Data Monitoring (FDM), or Safety Management System (SMS). This list is not exhaustive: similar systems or programs designed to enhance operations safety may meet this requirement.)

For more information see link: General Inspection Investigation Enforcement and Compliance Series 1801 (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.
  • If you left Federal Employment and received a buy out and you are selected for this position, you may be required to repay the full amount of the payment.
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. For more information on VEOA please visit https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/special-hiring-authorities/#veoa
  • Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements identified below please visit https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/special-hiring-authorities/
    • - Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A
    • - Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
    • - Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
    • - Other Special Appointment Authorities
  • 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 or ICTAP 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 or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp
  • Note: ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) documenting separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.
  • 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/
  • Ad-hoc/situational telework as determined by the agency policy.
  • Multiple and subsequent vacancies may be filled from this announcement.
  • 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.

How you will be evaluated

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
  • Air Carrier Operations
  • Leadership
  • Oral Communication
  • Writing


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

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