Marine Accident Investigator (Nautical) - DIRECT - HIRE Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. MS-12298475-24-KAT Department National Transportation Safety Board
Salary $117,962.00 to $153,354.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/17/2024 Close Date 5/1/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary


This position is a Marine Accident Investigator (Nautical) located in the Office of Marine Safety (OMS). OMS investigates major marine casualties to determine the probable cause and identify safety recommendations that will prevent similar events in the future.

This job is open to

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.

Duties

Pay setting for first time new hires to the Federal Government, salary will likely be set at the Step 1. See 2024 Salary Tables https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/

As a Marine Accident Investigator (Nautical) - DIRECT - HIRE, GS-1801-13, you will perform the following major duties:

  • As group chairperson on major marine casualty investigations, leads and manages an assigned investigative specialty group, which is composed of high-level technical personnel from Federal, State and local regulatory agencies, union officials and industry representatives and officials, during the on-scene phase of the investigation under the direction of the IIC. Assures precise handling and documentation of all pertinent evidence in the specialty area.
  • As IIC on USCG led accident investigations, leads all aspects of the investigation including close cooperation with the USCG investigating officer, management of the NTSB investigative team and parties to the investigation, setting and maintaining the schedule and budget including on scene work, follow-up visits and team overtime. Keeps management informed of progress and developments in the investigation.
  • Acts as 24/7 on call duty officer on a rotational basis. Responsible for answering marine accident notification calls; analyzing details and requesting additional information where necessary based on operational experience.
  • Maintains maritime license proficiency and keeps current with marine industry practices and future trends, to ensure the relevance and appropriateness of analyses and recommendations to all segments of the marine transportation industry.
  • Incumbent has operational experience working within and/or directly auditing a safety management system in accordance with International Safety Management (ISM) Code.

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 ELIGIBLE FOR TELEWORK BASED ON CURRENT AGENCY POLICY.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

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: Serves as a master or mate operating/navigating on a commercial vessel; oversees shipboard emergency drills and/or actual emergency situations at sea in a leadership role; operates under and determining compliance with maritime laws, regulations, and applicable standards; ensures proper vessel documentation and/or the certification, safe and proper operating condition of systems (navigation, stability, communication, lifesaving, firefighting, and pollution prevention) and machinery, the soundness and acceptable parameters of vessel structures and hulls including maintaining vessel stability; provides technical expertise and training to junior marine officers and crew; leads operational activities aboard commercial seagoing vessels related to vessel and crew member safety; operational experience working within and/or directly auditing a commercial safety management system in accordance with International Safety Management (ISM) Code and providing feedback or developing new procedures for continuous improvement of that system.

For more information see link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1800/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.
  • 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.
  • Telework may be authorized on a case-by-case basis.
  • 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.

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

This position will be filled through the Direct Hire Authority. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking, and veterans' preference procedures do not apply. Your application will be considered based on education, training, and quality of your experience. For more information on Direct-Hire Authority visit: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

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.
  • Marine Nautical Operations
  • Oral Communication
  • Reasoning
  • Teamwork
  • 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 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 05/01/2024.
  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/12298475.
  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 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.

Agency contact information

Human Resources Division

Address

Office of Marine Safety
490 L'Enfant Plaza East SW
Washington, DC 20594
US
Learn more about this agency

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.