Sr Aviation Accident Investigator (Air Carrier / Space) - DIRECT HIRE

National Transportation Safety Board

Office of Aviation Safety

Summary
This job is open to
Duties
Requirements
How you will be evaluated
Required documents
How to apply

Summary

This position is in the Air Carrier and Space Investigations Division. The Office investigates, or causes to be investigated, all civil and public aircraft aviation and space accidents and selected incidents; prepare detailed reports; develop proposed probable cause determinations; and formulate recommendations to minimize their recurrence for consideration and adoption by the Board and for use by other government agencies, Congress, the transportation community, and the traveling public.

Summary

Overview

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Accepting applications

Location

2 vacancies in the following location:

Washington, DC

Work site options

Telework eligible: No

Remote job: No

Relocation expenses reimbursed: No

Salary: $169,279 - $197,200 per year
Newly appointed federal government employees, starting salary rate may be set at the step 1 of the GS-15.

Pay scale & grade

GS 15

Promotion potential: 15

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule: Full-time

Travel Required: 50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Appointment type: Permanent

Occupations and job series

1801 General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, And Compliance Series

Supervisory status: No

Federal service type: This job is in the Competitive Service

Represented by a union: No

Drug test: No

Security clearance: Not Required

Position sensitivity and risk: High Risk (HR)

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required: Yes; Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number: AS-13066800-26-KM

Control number: 886561500

This job is open to

Help

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Clarification from the agency

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.

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Duties

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As a Sr Aviation Accident Investigator (Air Carrier / Space) - DIRECT HIRE,GS-1801-15, you will perform the following major duties:

Serve as a Senior Investigator-In-Charge (IIC) for certain domestic accidents and incidents involving commercial air carrier operations and space, and as the U.S. Accredited Representative for international air carrier accidents and incidents when the U.S. is the State of design/manufacture, State of operation, and/or the State of registry.
Acts as the on-call Air Carrier and Space Investigations Duty Officer by taking notifications of accident or incidents from U.S. operators, and investigate relevant media reports as appropriate and launches to accident or incident sites.
Evaluate evidence accumulated during accident and incident investigations and review the factual and analysis investigation reports to determine the adequacy of the facts necessary for establishing probable cause and remedial recommendations.
In preparation of the Board's accident report, coordinate with Division Chief on steps involved in report's progress from the initial draft through release to the public.
Manage U.S. participation in international aviation investigations by applying the standards and recommended practices (SARPs) of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and makes the IIC aware of the U.S. differences in this regard.
Drafts, writes, or effects timely processing of safety recommendations and accident prevention efforts as relevant to U.S. responsibilities in the accident based on evidence obtained during the investigation.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

U.S. Citizenship
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
Financial Interest in transportation enterprises will be evaluated on a case by case basis
Bargaining Unit Position: NO
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 NOT ELIGIBILE FOR REMOTE TELEWORK. This position is eligible for ad-hoc/situational telework as determined by the agency policy.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
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).

Qualifications

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

Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-14 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties:
- Participate in the planning, coordination, and execution of high-visibility civil aviation and/or commercial space projects involving complex, high-priority initiatives.
- Manage personnel and resources necessary for large-scale and/or air carrier civil aviation accidents and incident investigations.
- Identify critical equipment, mechanical, and/or operational safety issues and recommend changes that may significantly impact aviation industry operations.
- Write technically accurate, detailed, and logically supported reports regarding the civil aviation accident/incident, identifying a proposed probable cause(s) and safety recommendations to minimize recurrence. For more information see link: General Inspection Investigation Enforcement and Compliance Series 1801

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

Education is not applicable at the GS-15 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.
A Relocation or Recruitment Incentive may be offered to highly qualified candidates.
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.
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.
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.

How you will be evaluated

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.

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 10/09/2026.
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 view or print occupational questionnaire click here https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13066800.
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.

Agency contact information

Human Resources Division

Email: recruitment@ntsb.gov

Address: AS Aviation Safety
490 L'Enfant Plaza East SW
Washington, DC 20594
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

Required Documents

Help

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:

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.

How to Apply

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 10/09/2026.
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 view or print occupational questionnaire click here https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13066800.
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.