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Senior Meteorologist (Investigations)

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

Summary

This position is located in the Operational Factors Division (OFD), Office of Aviation Safety (OAS). OFD examines issues related to air traffic control, flight operations, and meteorology. The incumbent serves as the technical expert that is responsible for determining the relevant investigative issues and prepares detailed written factual reports describing the conditions and circumstances pertaining meteorological aspects of transportation accidents/incidents.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
04/14/2025 to 05/02/2025
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$142,488 to - $185,234 per year

Newly appointed federal government employees, starting salary rate may be set at the step 1 of the GS-14.

Pay scale & grade
GS 14
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
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
AS-12721444-25-KAT
Control number
835204000

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Duties

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The closing date has been extended to Friday, May 2, 2025.

As a Senior Meteorologist (Investigations), GS-1340-14, you will perform the following major duties:

  • The incumbent serves as a technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) meteorologist with primary emphasis on the investigation and analysis of weather-related aspects of transportation accidents/incidents that occur throughout the United States and the world.
  • The incumbent, as part of the agency go-team rotation, is assigned as the technical expert that is responsible for determining the relevant investigative issues and prepares detailed written factual reports describing the conditions and circumstances pertaining to the meteorological aspects of transportation accidents/incidents.
  • The incumbent leads specialized research projects and studies and participates as the technical expert in such special research projects, studies and investigations, as needed.
  • The incumbent develops and makes formal presentations at national/international conferences and other forums.

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.
  • 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.
  • This position is eligible for ad-hoc/situational telework as determined by the agency policy.
  • This position is being announced concurrently under Public (U.S Citizens) procedures under Vacancy Number AS-12727475-25-KAT. To be considered under both Public (US Citizens) and Government-Wide procedures, you must apply to both announcements.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet one of the following Basic Requirements:

BASIC REQUREMENT AND INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:

  1. Degree: meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science major that included:
    1. At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of credit in meteorology/atmospheric science including a minimum of:
      1. Six semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics;*
      2. Six semester hours of analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale);
      3. Three semester hours of physical meteorology; and
      4. Two semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation.
    2. Six semester hours of physics, with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions.*
    3. Three semester hours of ordinary differential equations.*
    4. At least nine semester hours of course work appropriate for a physical science major in any combination of three or more of the following: physical hydrology, statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology, radiative transfer, aeronomy, advanced thermodynamics, advanced electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and computer science.

    * There is a prerequisite or corequisite of calculus for course work in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physics, and differential equations. Calculus courses must be appropriate for a physical science major.

    -OR-

  2. Combination of education and experience -- course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting one of the above Basic Requirements, you must also possess the following:

GS-14: You MUST have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector).

Specialized experience is defined as:

  • Serving as a meteorologist of transportation-related teams and providing technical guidance on the analysis of atmospheric dynamics, thermodynamics, prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale), physical meteorology, and remote sensing of the atmosphere;
  • Providing meteorology-related presentations to leadership officials and drafting meteorological presentations, guidance, and procedures;
  • Creating meteorology reports and providing safety recommendations related to transportation needs; and
  • Advising on meteorological safety topics.
For more information see link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/meteorology-series-1340/.

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

Please see the Education Section Below for requirements.

Applicants submit MUST provide copy of their college or university transcripts(s) or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.

GENERAL EDUCATION: All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at an institution that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for it to be credited towards qualifications. For a list of schools that meet these criteria, see https://www.ed.gov/accreditation?src=rn. Applications submitted without the required supporting documents will not be accepted. An unofficial transcript; statement from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official; or equivalent documentation is acceptable at the time of application. Education submitted must be appropriately accredited by an accredited body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. For additional information, refer to the U.S. Department of Education web site at: http://www.ed.gov

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

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
  • Oral Communication
  • Project Management
  • Technical - Meteorology
  • 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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