The incumbent will serve as an Aviation Accident 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.
Summary
The incumbent will serve as an Aviation Accident 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.
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. Direct-Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veteran's preference and category rating of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.
This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Direct Hire Authority for Shortage Category/Critical need positions to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.
As a Aviation Accident Investigator,GS-1801-13, you will perform the following major duties:
Serve as investigator-in-charge (IIC) of aviation accident/incident investigations of varying levels of complexity who recognizes, develops, and presents evidence/analyses to reconstruct events, sequences, time elements, and other accident characteristics.
Maintain overall control and leadership of domestic investigations located anywhere in the U.S. and coordinate with other federal, state, and local officials.
Survey accident sites, determine the scope of investigations, and advise on the need for investigation personnel and equipment. While on scene, collect factual evidence, document wreckage distribution, interview and obtain statements from witnesses, photo-document appropriate aspects of wreckage and site, and conduct or arrange for test and analysis of failed components.
Conduct public press conferences during on-scene accident investigations; make presentations to groups of industry stakeholders as part of agency safety promotion efforts; follow NTSB policy when giving factual statements to the public, media, litigants, and victim's family members.
Identify safety issues during investigations and lead the development of safety recommendations and safety alerts or initiate and document safety accomplishments when appropriate. Oversee the development of comprehensive investigative reports of the most technically complex investigations and present the findings of those investigations before the public and the agency's Board Members.
If you are a male applicant born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be regi or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
Resume and supporting documents (see "How to Apply" section.)
Suitability for Federal employment
Bargaining Unit Position: YES (Bargaining unit represented by NTSB-AFGE Local 2211)
Direct Deposit is required.
This position is subject to a one-year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315.
You may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450, upon entering the position and annually.
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).
A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
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 the following Basic Requirements:
The applicant must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level which demonstrates the following: Specialized experience is defined as: Leading or participating in teams that provide investigative support to a civil aircraft accident/ incident; Independently writing reports documenting the factual findings of civil aviation aircraft accidents/incidents; Leading and documenting safety change in the civil aviation industry by developing guidance, bulletins, directives, or other documents directly applicable to civil aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, operation, and/or regulatory oversight.
You must possess a VALID STATE Driver's License. (A copy must be provided if you are selected).
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
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.
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.
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.
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. OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.
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.
The National Transportation Safety Board provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the National Transportation Safety Board directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
This position will be filled through the Direct Hire Authority. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking, and veterans' preference procedures do not apply. Your application will be considered based on education, training, and quality of your experience. For more information on Direct-Hire Authority visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/
Your application must include your resume and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination.
Referral: Applicants who meet the qualification requirements may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. Candidates may be required to participate in a selection interview (telephonic and/or in person) at the discretion of the Selecting Official in accordance with hiring practices.
The following documents are required for a COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE:
A Complete Two-Page 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 MUST 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=8YX7o1PBoFk
Responses to the questionnaire.
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.
Failure to submit required documents will result in you being considered as "ineligible" for this position.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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 05/18/2026.
To begin the process, click the 'Apply' 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 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 cannot apply online, please send an e-mail which includes the vacancy announcement number, position title and the reason you are not able to apply on-line to recruitment@ntsb.gov at least 1 business day before the closing date.
AS Aviation Safety
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.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required for a COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE:
A Complete Two-Page 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 MUST 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=8YX7o1PBoFk
Responses to the questionnaire.
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.
Failure to submit required documents will result in you being considered as "ineligible" for this position.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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 05/18/2026.
To begin the process, click the 'Apply' 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 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 cannot apply online, please send an e-mail which includes the vacancy announcement number, position title and the reason you are not able to apply on-line to recruitment@ntsb.gov at least 1 business day before the closing date.
AS Aviation Safety
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.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
