Summary
This position is in the Office of Aviation Safety, located in either Federal Way, WA (WPR), Aurora, CO (CEN), Washington, DC (ERA) or Anchorage, AK (ANC). The incumbent will have knowledge and experience of general aviation flight operations, maintenance and inspection of small aircraft and a strong working knowledge of civil aircraft accident investigation and aviation safety.
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. This announcement will close when all positions have been filled.
Duties
OAS investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents, including those involving unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), public aircraft, and commercial space launches, and other significant aviation incidents, proposes the probable causes of these events, and develops recommendations to minimize recurrence.
The salary ranges for these positions to include locality are as follows:
(Aurora, CO) https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2023/DEN.pdf
(Federal Way, WA) https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2023/SEA.pdf
(Anchorage, AK) https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2023/AK.pdf
(Washington, DC) https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2023/DCB.pdf
As an Air Safety Investigator - DIRECT HIRE, GS-1815-11/12, you will perform the following major duties:
At the GS-11 level, in addition to duties at the lower grade level, typical duties may include:
- Conducting on-scene collection, verification, analysis, and evaluation of accident data;
- 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 disaster assistance with family members.
At the GS-12 level, in addition to duties at the lower grade level, typical duties may include:
- Conducting investigations of civil aircraft accidents and incidents that involve complex technical factors.
- Assisting with the investigation of major aircraft accidents and acting as a group chairman in support of such investigations.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The work regularly requires long periods of walking to and around accident sites, as well as frequent bending, crouching, and stretching to examine wreckage. The employee must be able to climb steep terrain or walk for long distances to reach the accident site in a variety of extreme weather and atmospheric conditions. The employee must possess a fitness level that allows them to effectively wear and operate appropriate personal protective equipment.
Much of the work is normally performed in an office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. For work-at-home arrangements, the employee is required to designate an area in his/her home as the official workstation. The space for working at home should be a separate room or area in a room that is adequate for the performance of the employee's official duties. At times, the employee will be required to serve in an on-call capacity, which will require tasks to be performed beyond traditional business hours, and may require travel to remote work sites.
The work also often requires exposure to a variety of weather conditions and other environmental discomforts such as snow, rain, temperature extremes, swampy or mountainous areas. The employee usually wears personal protective equipment like safety shoes, goggles, gloves, protective coveralls, and/or a respirator. Occasionally the aircraft wreckage may contain hazardous materials, which may require additional precautions.
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, ERA or CEN).
- Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
- 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.
- No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance.
- Fluency in the English language.
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 December 11, 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:
January 11, 2024
February 12, 2024
March 13, 2024
April 15, 2024
May 15, 2024
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 HOURS REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL APPLICANTS:
Your resume must clearly state your hours of flight experience in each of the categories required for this announcement (total flight time, pilot-in-command, small airplane). If your resume does not contain this information, you will not be considered for the position. Please list your flight hours in your resume as shown in the below chart for Total Flight Time, Pilot-in-Command and Small Airplanes.
| Category |
Flight Hours for
GS-11 and above |
| Total Flight Time |
1,500 |
| Pilot-in-Command |
1,000 |
| Small Airplanes |
500 |
Flight Hour Type Definitions:
- 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 co-pilot, 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.
- Pilot-in-Command -- Only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable.
- Small Airplanes(gross weight less than 12,500 pounds). Hours may have been acquired as pilot-in-command or total flight time.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
-- Valid State driver's license (unexpired);
-- Fluency in the English language;
-- Medical Requirements - Applicants for all positions must possess a current first or second class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations. Both meet the intent of the requirement.
-- No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and
-- High school graduate or equivalent.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
FOR GS-11: In addition, to minimally qualify for the GS-11 level, the applicant must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level which demonstrates a general knowledge of civil aviation and aviation accident investigation practices, procedures, and techniques as they relate to aircraft operated under 14 CFR Parts 91, 121, or 135. Examples include work examining/participating in the testing of aircraft systems or components; conducting interviews; examining parametric data obtained from operating aircraft; preparing written reports detailing the findings of aviation safety events; and taking action to rectify observed aviation safety deficiencies.
FOR GS-12: In addition, to minimally qualify for the GS-12 level, the applicant must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level which demonstrates a detailed knowledge of civil aviation and aviation accident investigation practices, procedures, and techniques as they relate to aircraft operated under 14 CFR Parts 91, 121, or 135. Experience at this level would include working as an aircraft accident investigator for an organization that assists or is involved with supporting with the conduct of on-scene civil aviation accident investigations overseen by the National Transportation Safety Board (or similar aviation investigative agency).
NOTE: Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience and include the applicable civil FAR part for the work done by that operator (e.g., 14 CFR Part 91, 121, 135, etc.), as well as list all the civil aircraft types that you might have operated and/or maintained during employment. If applicable, your resume may also list additional experience obtained during military service, in addition to the required experience obtained in support of civil aircraft operations. If your resume does not contain all of this information, you will not be considered for the position. Education may not be used as an alternate means to meet the experience requirements of these positions.
For more information see link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1800/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
There is no education substitution at these grade levels.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Experience must be clearly reflected in your resume.
Accident Investigation
Aircraft Maintenance
Aircraft Operations
Communication
Project Management
Reasoning Analysis
If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
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.
The following documents are required for a COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE:
- A Complete 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 should 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.
- DD-214 (member copy 4), SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities.
- Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation: (1) Proof of Eligibility; (2) Your latest performance rating showing a rating of at least "fully successful" (level 3); AND (3) Your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action, showing your tenure, position occupied, and duty station. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp
- Pilot Certificate(s) (Front and Back Copies).
- Valid State driver's license (unexpired) (Please upload a copy)
- Applicants MUST possess a current first or second-class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations (both meet the intent of the requirement). (Please upload a copy)
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.
- 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 05/09/2024.
- 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/12196377.
- 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 are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Applications: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information at least 1 business day before the closing date.
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.
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