Highway Investigator Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. HS-12752298-25-RR Department National Transportation Safety Board
Salary $101,401.00 to $156,755.00 Grade 12 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/24/2025 Close Date 7/7/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is in the Investigations Division, Office of Highway Safety (OHS), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The incumbent of this position serves as a Highway Investigator responsible for organizing, managing, and coordinating the investigation of highway transportation crashes and developing and presenting reports with highway transportation safety recommendations for adoption by the Board.

Duties

Ideal Candidate Statement: The ideal candidate has comprehensive experience in documenting, investigating and reconstructing highway crashes and incidents involving both passenger and heavy vehicles. The candidate has knowledge of vehicle performance and design, and familiarity with the mechanics of various vehicle subsystems including brakes, engines, and other drivetrain components. The candidate will also possess the ability to interpret and analyze electronic and/or event data recorded by passenger and heavy vehicle systems and apply that data to the reconstruction of crash events. The candidate also has excellent written, verbal and analytical skills, and work collaboratively with research or investigative teams. Possessing current accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstructionist (ACTAR) and proficiency in using unmanned aerial vehicles to electronically document the crash environment and vehicle damage is preferred but not required.

Washington, DC (DC-MD-VA-WV-PA): GS-12: $101,401.00 - $131,826.00 ; GS-13: GS-13 $120,579.00 - $156,755.00

As a Highway Investigator, GS-1801-12/13 you will perform the following major duties:

At the GS-12 Level: Duties include:

  • Conducts crash investigations, collects factual evidence, interviews witnesses, photographs appropriate aspects of the wreckage and site, and conducts or arranges for analysis of failed components.
  • Identifies and documents physical evidence; assesses and analyzes electronic crash and trip data from both integrated and external sources; documents vehicle, roadway and environmental information related to crash events; analyzes crash data from external sources.
  • Manages assigned investigative specialty group during the on-scene phase of the investigation under the direction of the Investigator-in-Charge (IIC), Lead Investigator or Branch Chief. Oversees group personnel, providing advice and guidance; assigns tasks to group members; seeks input from IIC, Lead Investigator or Branch Chief to identify the safety issues in the crash event; and plans, develops and initiates the investigative procedures, the evidence to be preserved, etc.
  • Evaluates the significance of evidence collected, the methods used to collect the evidence, and the sources providing the evidence for validity, reliability, and substance. Analyzes evidence gathered to reconstruct the events before, during, and after the accident by applying the principles of scientific methodology, logic, statistics, and other fields related to interactions of humans, materials and machines, and the environment.
  • Writes and completes factual reports, exhibits, and analytical reports.
  • Orally presents the technical views/facts before the full Board, as Group Chairperson, for acceptance, rejection, modification, or further study.
At the GS-13 Level: In addition to duties at the lower grade level, typical duties include:
  • Lead and manages assigned investigative specialty group during the on-scene phase of the investigation.

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.
  • 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 HS-12752297-25-RR. 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.
  • 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.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

GS-12: You MUST have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector). Specialized experience is experience in highway crash investigation to include the following:
  • Collecting and analyzing evidence for highway crash investigations.
  • Using specialized equipment to electronically and/or photographically document the crash environment and vehicle damage.
  • Analyzing electronic data obtained from vehicles or external sources.
  • Writing factual and analytical investigation reports.
  • Exchanging information concerning highway safety with other stakeholders such as other federal agencies, industry, labor, manufacturers, national and professional organizations, associations.
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 experience in highway crash investigation to include the following:
  • Collecting and analyzing evidence for highway crash investigations and using the evidence to reconstruct the crash.
  • Independently using specialized equipment to electronically and/or photographically document the crash environment and vehicle damage.
  • Independently obtains and analyzes electronic data obtained from vehicles or external sources.
  • Identifying issues and proposing recommendations related to vehicle and highway transportation safety.
  • Writing factual and analytical investigation reports.
  • Exchanging information concerning highway safety with other stakeholders such as other federal agencies, industry, labor, manufacturers, national and professional organizations, associations.
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

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.

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.

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:

  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Oral Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Project Management
  • Reasoning
  • Technical Competence
  • Writing


If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Required Documents

You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

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=8YX7o1PBoF
  • Responses to the questionnaire.
  • College transcripts (Unofficial or Official), if qualifying based on education or as a basic requirement.
  • ALL CURRENT AND FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT THE MOST RECENT COPY OF THEIR SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing competitive status, listing your Position Title, Series and Grade and Step, Tenure (Block 24 -1 or 2) and Position Occupied (Block 34 -1). Additionally, applicants should also submit a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held on a permanent basis in the competitive service or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. (Do not submit your Award SF-50).
  • 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.
  • Noncompetitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable.
  • 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
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Eligibles: For more information on LMWFA, visit: https://chcoc.gov/content/implementing-policy-guidance-land-management-workforce-flexibility-act

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

  • 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 07/07/2025.
  • To begin the process, click the Apply Online 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/12752298.
  • 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
Office of Highway 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. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.


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


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