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Aviation Accident Investigator

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

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Aviation Safety, Regional Offices. Regional offices are located in (ERA) Washington, DC, (WPR) Federal Way, WA, and (CEN) Aurora, Colorado. Aviation Accident Investigators conduct aviation accident/incident investigations, produce investigative reports documenting the investigations, and formulate recommendations to improve transportation safety.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/17/2025 to 06/30/2025
Salary
$90,025 to - $117,034 per year

The salary range is base salary without locality pay. Your salary will be adjusted based on the duty location assigned.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Locations
FEW vacancies in the following locations:
Aurora, CO
Washington, DC
Federal Way, WA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—This position is eligible for ad/hoc/situational telework as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - 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
NCS/High Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
AS-12748124-25-KAT
Control number
838981500

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Duties

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The ideal candidate for this position will have knowledge of and experience in of civil general aviation flight operations, maintenance and inspection of general aviation aircraft, and a strong working knowledge of civil aircraft accident investigation and aviation safety; be available on an on-call basis to respond to the scene of aircraft accidents, which may be located in inhospitable environments, anywhere across the United States; possesses the ability to prioritize multiple high-priority tasks; and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Denver - Aurora, Colorado
GS-13 $117,501.00 - $152,753.00
Seattle/Tacoma, Washington GS-13 $118,446.00 - $153,982.00
Washington, DC (DC-MD-VA-WV-PA) GS-13 $120,579.00 - $156,755.00

As a Aviation Accident Investigator, GS-1801-13, you will perform the following major duties:

  • Conducting technically complex accident/incident investigations of civil aircraft operated under 14 CFR Part 91 or 14 CFR Part 135, primarily involving small general aviation aircraft;
  • Collecting and documenting factual information, data, and evidence relevant to aircraft accident/incident investigations;
  • Conducting investigative interviews;
  • Conducting on-scene collection, verification, analysis, and evaluation of accident data anywhere within the United States and its territories;
  • Preparing written reports of investigative activities in a timely manner and in accordance with agency policy and procedures;
  • Researching and developing safety recommendations, corrective actions, and other necessary changes;
  • Briefing industry stakeholders and the public of the facts and circumstances of an accident/incident and coordinating transportation disaster assistance with family members.
  • May conduct special investigations or studies and presents the conclusions in a comprehensive written report.
  • Assisting with the investigation of major aircraft accidents and acting as a group chair in support of such investigations. May also participate in Board meetings and other large/complex technical review meetings.
Physical Demands and Work Environment: The work includes a mixture of sedentary and physically demanding tasks. The incumbent must be available on a periodic on-call basis to triage incoming accident/incident notifications and to respond to the scene of aircraft accidents/incident. These on-scene responses they may require vigorous physical exertion and long hours. Accident/incident scenes may be located in austere environments, anywhere across the United States or overseas. Additionally, the incumbent may be exposed to a variety of weather conditions and other environmental discomforts, unforgiving topography, and debris hazards. Also, while risk assessments are made, appropriate mitigation measures taken, and personal protective equipment used, there remains the possibility of exposure to poisonous, explosive, or other hazardous materials associated with the accident sites to which the agency deploys.

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.
  • This position is being announced concurrently under Public (U.S Citizens) procedures under Vacancy Number AS-12748126-25-KAT. 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.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
  • THIS POSITION IS ELIGIBILE FOR REMOTE WORK. ANYWHERE IN THE U.S. (EXCLUDING THE WASHINGTON, D.C. METRO AREA) NEAR A MAJOR AIRPORT.

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:

  • Leading or participating in teams that provided investigative support to a civil aircraft accident and incident investigations.
  • Independently writing reports describing 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.
  • Operating small general aviation aircrafts (gross weight less than 12,500 lbs.) under Code of Federal Regulations Parts 91, 135, and/or 121.
Additional experience maintaining civil aircraft, instructing pilots of civil aircraft, and operational experience in a variety of small general aviation aircraft categories and classes is preferred.

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:

  • Communication
  • General Aviation Aircraft Operation and Accident Investigation
  • Project Management
  • Reasoning and Analysis


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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