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Air Safety Investigator (REG)

National Transportation Safety Board
Office of Aviation Safety, (REGION)

Summary

The incumbent will serve as an Air Safety Investigator, located in the Office of Aviation Safety, Regions, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and is responsible for independently conducting investigations of aviation aircraft accidents and incidents. Recommends a probable cause of the accident and develops safety recommendations.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/06/2026 to 05/18/2026
Salary
$52,727 - $99,404 per year

Newly appointed employees, starting salary rate may be set at the step 1. Salary to be adjusted based on duty station location of hires.

Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 12
Location
MANY vacancies in the following location:
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)
Remote job
Yes - Position to be offered at locations within NTSB's CENTRAL REGION: (AR, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, ND, OK, SD TX, and WI).
Telework eligible
Not applicable, this is a remote position.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You will 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-12952961-26-KM
Control number
868065600

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Duties

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As a Air Safety Investigator (REG),GS-1815-9/11/12, you will perform the following major duties:

  • Investigates aviation/incident investigations by collecting factual evidence at aircraft accident scenes and conducts or arranges for analysis of failed components.
  • Prepares written factual reports of the occurrence reflecting the findings of the investigations. Evaluates the facts, circumstances, and conditions encountered in the investigation/incident and recommends probable cause.
  • Briefs agency and industry personnel, the public, press, and victims' family members as appropriate, while acting as a representative of the agency for specific investigations.
  • Responsible for the effective, economical, and efficient utilization of all resources committed to assigned investigations.
  • Develops safety recommendations, corrective actions, and other necessary changes to improve aviation safety.

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.
  • Trial or 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.
  • This position is being announced concurrently under Public (U.S Citizens) procedures under Vacancy Number AS-12952285-KM To be considered under both Public (US Citizens) and Government-Wide procedures, you must apply to both announcements.
  • You may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450, upon entering the position and annually.
  • If selection is made below the full performance level, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotions are not automatic or guaranteed and will depend on the performance and supervisor approval.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
  • THIS POSITION IS ELIGIBILE FOR REMOTE WORK. Position to be offered at locations within NTSB's CENTRAL REGION. (AR, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, ND, OK, SD TX, and WI).
  • Multiple and subsequent vacancies may be filled from this announcement.
  • Two-Page Resume Limit: Resumes must not be more than two standard single-sided pages (or one page if submitting a front and back, hard-copy).
  • Approval of full-time remote work is determined by the following factors: Located in the CENTRAL REGION; Access to a major airport(s) serviced by two or more commercial air carriers; internet connectivity of at least 25Mbps (download rate).

Qualifications

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

Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

Minimum eligibility requirements for these positions are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements, meeting the appropriate education and/or experience requirements, and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the position.

Certificates and Ratings:

For all grades and specializations, applicants must possess a Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument rating, the appropriate military rating, or other certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements of the Commercial Pilot Certificate, e.g., an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.

Minimum Flight Hour Requirements for All Applicants:
  1. Total Flight Time -- Flight time as pilot-in-command in aircraft of any weight or category is creditable for this requirement. Each 2 hours acquired as a copilot, an FAA certificated flight engineer on a commercial air carrier, or a military flight officer on a military air carrier may be substituted for 1 hour of flight time in meeting the minimum total flight time requirements.
  2. Pilot-in-Command -- Only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable.
Requirements Category Flight Hours GS-9 & GS-11 and above

1. Total Flight Time 1000 1500
2. Pilot-In-Command 500 1000

The following flight hour requirements apply only when the position requires the particular specialty:

  1. Multi-engine Airplane: heavy multi-engine airplanes, i.e., gross takeoff weight in excess of 12,500 pounds. Up to 250 hours flying time acquired in helicopters may be substituted.
  2. Helicopter: Up to 200 hours flying time acquired in heavy multi-engine airplanes may be substituted.
  3. Small Airplane: Airplane weighing 12,500 pounds or less gross takeoff weight.

GS-9 & GS-11 and above

Requirements Category Flight Hours
3. Multi-engine Airplane 100 500
4. Helicopter 100 200
5. Small Airplane 250 500

For in service placement actions, flight hours may be waived for candidates who demonstrate that they have the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position.

Other Requirements:
  1. Valid State driver's license;
  2. Fluency in the English language;
  3. No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and
  4. High school graduate or equivalent.
Education And Experience Requirements

In addition to the minimum eligibility requirements stated above, the following table shows the amounts of experience required to qualify for positions covered by this standard.

GS-9: 1 year experience equivalent to at least GS-7. The experience demonstrates a broad knowledge of one or more of the following: aircraft design, manufacture and maintenance operations, operational requirements, facilities, practices, and procedures related to aviation activities.

GS-11: 1 year equivalent to at least GS-9. Experience includes assisting in examining/participating in the testing of aircraft systems or components; assisting in examining parametric data obtained from operating aircraft; and assisting in preparing written reports detailing the findings of aviation safety events.

GS-12: 1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level. Experience includes working as an aircraft accident investigator assisting with supporting on-scene civil aviation accident investigations.

For more information see link: Air Safety Investigating Series 1815

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

EDUCATION
No education substitution at these grade levels.

Additional information

  • SALARY RANGES: GS-09 - $52,727 - $68,549 / GS-11 - $63,795 - $82,938 / GS-12 - $76,463 - $99,404.
  • 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): Must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. 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/.
  • 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 80 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.
  • 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.
  • Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

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

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., two-page resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

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

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume/application. If any are included, you will be deemed INELIGIBLE for consideration.
  • Classified or government sensitive information
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Photos of yourself
  • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12952961.

National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB): Independently Advancing Transportation Safety

NTSB is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation-railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline and commercial space. We determine the probable causes of the accidents and events we investigate, and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. In addition, we conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other assistance to family members and survivors for each accident or event we investigate. We also serve as the appellate authority for enforcement actions involving aviation and mariner certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Coast Guard, and we adjudicate appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA.

Agency contact information

Human Resources Division
Email
recruitment@ntsb.gov
Address
AS Aviation Safety
490 L'Enfant Plaza East SW
Washington, DC 20594
US

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