Aviation Accident Investigator Job

Vacancy No. AS-12724348-25-KAT Department National Transportation Safety Board
Salary $90,025.00 to $117,034.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/18/2025 Close Date 5/2/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Aurora, COWashington, DCFederal Way, WA


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.

Duties

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

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 also being announced through Government-Wide procedures under Announcement AS-12719491-25-KAT. To be considered under both Public (US Citizens) and Government-Wide procedures, you must apply to both announcements.
  • 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.
  • 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. 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.

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Applicants will be rated using the Category Rating System. 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. Based on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training in relation to these competencies, you will be placed into one of the following three categories:

  • Highly Qualified - Applicants with a background that demonstrates a superior level of possession of all competencies.·
  • Well Qualified - Applicants with a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of possession of the competencies.·
  • Qualified - Applicants possessing the specialized experience described above and any education or selective factor if also required.
The Category Rating Method does not add Veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Documented preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification/eligibility requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% will be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Experience must be clearly reflected in your resume. If mandatory education/licensure/certification 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 a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience or your application may be removed from further consideration.

Required Documents

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.
  • College transcripts (Unofficial or Official), if qualifying based on education or as a basic requirement.
  • 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

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

  1. 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 05/02/2025.
  2. 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.
  3. To view or print occupational questionnaire click here https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12724348.
  4. 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
Address
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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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