Duties
Ideal Candidate Statement:
The incumbent will serve as an expert Survival Factors Investigator (Airport Operations and Crashworthiness) in aircraft incident and accident investigations with a special emphasis on airport operations and crashworthiness. The incumbent will be a primary resource for the NTSB on airport operations, crashworthiness, and occupant survival and will also be called upon to conduct investigations into other survival factors issues that may be outside the area of primary expertise (i.e. cabin safety, search and rescue, equipment design, emergency response).
As a Senior Survival Factors Investigator (Airport Operations and Crashworthiness), GS-1801-14, you will perform the following major duties:
Serves as Group Chair responsible for documenting, analyzing, and evaluating survival factors issues described in the position summary above. These include but are not limited to cabin safety and flight attendant training, occupant protection, airport operations, and airport and community emergency management factors that may arise during major aviation accident/incident investigations.
Organizes, supervises, and coordinates the activities of the representatives from the operators, manufactures, professional organizations, FAA, and other participating agencies, including experts in other fields in the course of a survival factors investigation.
Independently identifies and assesses the significance of survival factors found during on-scene accident investigations. Analyzes and interprets the data uncovered. The purpose of such analysis is to advance the knowledge of survival factors in the operation of aviation systems; provide practical applications of theory in the survival factors for the purpose of publication and general education; and form a basis for the application of practical solutions to the prevention of future accidents of similar nature.
Determines requirements for special tests, studies, and/or assistance that may be necessary in one or more aspects of a given investigation. Monitors these activities and evaluates findings in terms of relevancy to the probable cause and/or safety recommendations. Studies usually involve the novel and/or innovative application of research results in analyzing survival factors.
Develops and prepares documentation in the form of reports, photographs, pertinent records, and other appropriate material. Prepares timely and technically correct factual and analytical reports that accurately reflect the pertinent findings in the survival factors areas to be used in the subsequent analysis and probable cause determination.
Maintains currency in survival factors affecting aviation safety including emergent research and operational practices, accident investigation methodology.
Physical Demands:
During site visits while on the scene of a major accident investigations scene (s), the incumbent will perform a mixture of sedentary and physical demanding tasks and may be exposed to rigorous exercise and long hours (i.e., walking, standing, stooping, bending, carrying, and similar movements).
Work Environment:
On-site investigation and fact findings during a major accident investigations scene (s) may take place in various environments, which may expose the incumbent to a variety of weather conditions and other hazardous environmental discomforts (i.e., unforgiving topography, debris hazards, exposure to poisonous, explosive, or hazardous materials).
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:
- Accident Investigation
- Leadership
- Oral Communication
- Technical Competency - Survival Factors
- Written Communication
If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
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 06/02/2025.
- 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/12736069.
- 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.
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.