Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. Due to the potential of a high volume of applicants, not all applicants may receive consideration. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. The 'Rule of Many', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

To be qualified for a Railroad Safety Inspector (Grade Crossing and Trespass Outreach), the Qualifications Standard state you MUST have demonstrated knowledge in the following areas Railroad industry, including economic and operating considerations and equipment.

As a Railroad Safety Inspector (Grade Crossing), you will:

• Perform inspections of railroad Emergency Notification Systems (CFR 49 Part 234, Subpart E), U.S. DOT Crossing Inventory Reporting (49 CFR Part 234, Subpart F), and public authority compliance with the Train Horn Rule and Quiet Zones (49 CFR Part 222).
• Investigate independently, or as part of a team, grade crossing collisions and trespasser incidents/accidents as assigned. Prepare any necessary analysis and recommendations to senior managers and specialists.
• Promote Department of Transportation (DOT) and FRA crossing safety and trespasser prevention programs and new initiatives within the District's assigned geographical area.

The ideal candidate for this position is a mid-level professional with strong technical background in applying current Federal railroad safety standards pertaining to grade crossing, accident investigation techniques in determining the best method of obtaining compliance, as well as strong analytical and communication skills; and experience with conducting inspections pertaining to grade crossing and with mitigating trespassing and their capabilities and limitations; mission focused, and is looking for great health benefits and a stable work-life environment.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Direct Hire Authority/SME will be used to fill this position.

This is an open continuous announcement for 90 days with various cut-off dates. We will routinely review applications.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel.  A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
• RAILROAD STOCK: Pursuant to 5 C.F.R. Parts 2635.403 and 6001.104, all FRA employees (or spouses or minor children of FRA employees) are specifically prohibited from holding railroad stock (including shares of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. which owns 100% of BNSF), whether held outright, in an IRA, or in a 401(k) or other plan. (Employees may hold a mutual fund which invests in railroad stocks, so long as the mutual fund does not invest more than 30% of its assets in such prohibited investments.) Employees having a prohibited financial interest must divest themselves of railroad stock within 90 days after their appointment to their positions. Neither the rule against holding railroad stock, nor the divestiture period, is in any way affected by the existence of re-employment rights which employees might have with railroad companies. Nor is there any monetary threshold for applicability of the rule against ownership of railroad stock; all dollar amounts are prohibited.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the Grade 12, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:

• Experience in ensuring railroad compliance with federal regulations by auditing grade crossing inspection activities, conducting focused inspections, assessing safety complaints, and performing accident/trespass investigations. 
• Experience in producing grade crossing inspection and violation reports, narrative accident/incident reports, and presenting safety-related information to federal and state stakeholders. 
• Experience in conducting outreach and education programs (e.g., Operation Lifesaver) to reduce trespassing incidents and improve grade crossing safety, including coordinating with public officials, law enforcement, and the general public.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs):  Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Grade Crossing & Trespassing Knowledge - Reviews and evaluates applications for waiver of requirements of Federal regulations and standards applicable to highway-rail crossing safety regulations pertaining to 49 CFR Part 222 and 49 CFR Part 234, Subparts E and F. Makes recommendations to approve or reject applications.
2. Rail Inspections & Investigations - Performs inspections of railroad Emergency Notification Systems (CFR 49 Part 234, Subpart E); Performs inspections of railroad records of U.S. DOT Crossing Inventory Reporting (49 CFR Part 234, Subpart F); Performs inspections of railroad and public authority compliance with the Train Horn Rule and Quiet Zones (49 CFR Part 222). Investigates independently, or as part of a team, grade crossing collisions and trespasser incidents/accidents as assigned. Prepares any necessary analysis and recommendations to Senior Managers and Specialists.
3. Oral Communication - Communicates technical requirements, safety guidance, and regulatory information to railroads, local officials, FRA specialists, and the general public. Delivers outreach programs and safety presentations (e.g., Operation Lifesaver workshops, community meetings, school programs) to promote grade crossing and trespass prevention. Provides technical advice and guidance at meetings, hearings, and workshops to support FRA initiatives and compliance enforcement.
4. Written Communication - Reviews draft FRA policy initiatives and provide clear, actionable comments and recommendations. Prepares detailed inspection, investigation, and compliance reports, documenting findings, analysis, and recommendations.

For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

For this announcement, applications will be reviewed to determine if the applicant meets the basic qualifications for this position. The applications of individuals who meet the basic qualifications will be assessed to validate that the applicant possesses the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) at the level of proficiency needed to perform the job successfully. Applicants who are found to possess the necessary KSAs to perform the job may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Next steps

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