Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens - Direct-Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans preference and category rating of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

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.

As an Aviation Accident Investigator - DIRECT - HIRE, 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.
• May be assigned as the US Accredited Representative in support of aircraft accident investigations occurring overseas.

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.

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.
• 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 FULL TIME REMOTE TELEWORK. After a selection is made, the incumbent must report to the approved duty location Regional Office (ANC, WPR, or CEN).
• Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

This is a direct-hire vacancy announcement that will be used to fill current vacancies and subsequent vacancies as they occur.

To receive consideration for vacancies, applicants must submit complete applications prior to the established cut-off date(s). An initial cut-off will take place August 14, 2023 to begin initial applicant consideration. Applications received after the initial cut-off date will be considered upon receipt of the next cut-off date.

The established cut-off dates are as follows:

September 14, 2023
October 16, 2023
November 16, 2023
December 18, 2023
January 18, 2024
February 18, 2024
March 18, 2024
April 18, 2024
May 20, 2024

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 multiple technically complex civil aircraft accident and incident investigations involving a variety of causal factors. This experience might have been gained through participation as a party member or technical advisor to a civil aircraft accident/incident investigation led by the NTSB or other similar federal agency.
• 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.
• Documented experience operating small general aviation aircraft (gross weight less than 12,500 lbs) as a pilot 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)

This position includes Selective Placement Factors (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Evidence of the Selective Placement Factors must be reflected in your resume. Applicants who do not meet the specialized experience and selective placement factors are ineligible for further consideration.

The Selective Placement Factors for this position are:

1. Led or participated in a team that provided investigative support to a civil aircraft accident or incident investigation. This experience might have been gained through participation as a party member or technical advisor to a civil aircraft accident/incident investigation led by the NTSB or other similar federal agency/organization.
2. Develop written reports describing the factual findings of civil aviation aircraft accidents/incidents.
3. Led and documented 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.
4. Experience operating small general aviation aircraft (gross weight less than 12,500 lbs.) under Code of Federal Regulations Parts 91, 135, and/or 121.

NOTE: Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience to include descriptions of investigative work and writing done supporting civil aircraft accident/incident investigations, safety change activities in support of the civil aviation industry, and experience operating small civil general aviation aircraft. Your resume must cite specific investigation examples (by listing the applicable NTSB investigation number or other reference to the publicly available investigation report of another federal civil aviation investigative agency) and must clearly identify your role in leading or supporting each of those investigations (i.e. investigation party coordinator, investigation group party member, technical advisor, investigator/inspector-in-charge, etc). If applicable, your resume may also list additional relevant experience obtained during military service, in addition to the required experience obtained in support of civil aircraft investigative and safety improvement work. If your resume does not clearly demonstrate that you possess the above selective placement factors, you will not be considered for the position.Education may not be used as an alternate means to meet the experience requirements for this position.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the Screening Questions/Occupational Questionnaire for consistency. Applicants must first meet any mandatory education/licensure/certification requirements before experience is evaluated. Failure to meet any mandatory requirement as outlined in the qualifications section will disqualify you from further consideration. Experience must be clearly reflected in your resume.

General Aviation Aircraft Operation and Accident Investigation
Communication
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.